Shakira Caine Is the Woman Michael Caine Fell in Love with in Only 8 Minutes

After the first attempt at marriage did not go so well, British film icon Michael Caine stumbled upon the eventual love of his life while watching television. Here is the story of the Academy Award-winning actor’s romantic tale.

Micheal Caine, aged 89, and approaching 90, is a British actor who has triumphed in the film industry in his homeland and abroad. Born on March 14, 1933, the actor received his first Oscar nomination aged 33.

He was previously married to English actress Patricia Haines, with whom he welcomed Domonique, his first child. Their relationship ended in 1962, shortly before Micheal met his current spouse, Shakira Caine, who he married just over half a century ago in 1972.

Sir Michael Caine and Shakira Caine at the “Youth” premiere at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles, California, on November 17, 2015. | Source: Getty Images

Shakira Caine Finished in 3rd Place at Miss World 1967

Shakira was born into the Baksh family at St. Cuthbert’s Mission in British Guyana on February 23, 1947. At 16, she dropped out of school to begin a career as a secretary at a United States Information Service office, which was destroyed by the violent civil unrest shortly after.

However, Shakira did not put all her eggs in a single basket. As a teen, she began participating in beauty pageants to attain a better life abroad. Her dream was hugely successful as she was crowned Miss Guyana in 1966. For Michael, 1966 was also the year he earned his first Oscar nomination for his role in “Alfie.”

The national win led to Shakira competing in Miss World 1967. She succeeded in the competition, finishing in third place. She then made her film debut in 1969, scoring multiple support roles before starring alongside Sean Connery and her husband in the 1975 adventure film, “The Man Who Would Be King.”

Pictured are the 1967 Miss World beauty pageant top three: Madeline Hartog-Bel of Peru (C) in first place, Maria del Carmen Sabaliauskas (R) in second place, and Shakira Baksh (L) in third place. The top three were pictured at the Lyceum Ballroom in London on 16th November 1967. | Source: Getty Images

Michael Saw Her in a Commercial and Wanted to Meet Immediately

Michael’s first impression of Shakira came while watching television in the early 70s. A Maxwell House coffee advert came on, and there she was, a background dancer in the Ridley Scott-directed advert. Watching TV with his friend, Michael described the model as “amazing” and declared his wish to meet her.

He detailed his instant infatuation and eventual love for Shakira in his book, “What’s It All About.” Michael was preparing to embark on a trip to locate her in Brazil; however, he discovered that she was based in London, and a friend provided him with her contact details. Shakira detailed her first impressions of Michael:

“He was everything I didn’t expect. I had just seen him in Get Carter, and he seemed so aggressive and ruthless. Instead, I found him charming and very gentle, someone whom I’d like to spend part of my life with. Michael was at that time still very much against marriage.”

Michael referred to Shakira as the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. After meeting with the Guyanese beauty, Micheal was overcome by emotion and saw his love for her peak in a matter of minutes.

Michael Caine and Shakira Caine at the Flower Festival in Bordeaux, France, in June 1990. | Source: Getty Images

It Took Sir Michael Caine Only Eight Minutes to Fall in Love with Her

The friend who provided Michael with Shakira’s contact details was employed by the company that produced the Maxwell House commercial. The actor was adamant about meeting the former model, to such an extent that he repeatedly called her phone until she finally agreed to date him.

They met shortly after, and it was love at first sight for Michael. He facetiously explained that he fell in love with the Guyanese model in just eight minutes and reached a mutual accord with her within two hours. Michael then added that Shakira saved his life.

Before meeting her, Michael was a young man enduring a tough battle with substance abuse. He credited his wife as the driving force behind his decision to change the toxic and damaging habits he inherited through the bounties of fame.

Shakira Caine in her Beverly Hills home garden posing for the “Lichfield – The Most Beautiful Women” book on October 8, 1980. | Source: Getty Images

Shakira Caine Saved Him from Alcoholism

Michael endured a tense tussle with stardom and his flourishing career – a battle he escaped by developing a heavy smoking and drinking habit. The actor does clarify that his habits were not a result of unhappiness but rather simply a reaction to the high-stress levels he was experiencing, saying:

“I wasn’t unhappy, but it was stress. You know, ‘Am I going to get another picture? How am I going to do this part? How am I going to remember all those lines? I’ve got to get up at 6 in the morning, and I hope the alarm works.’ There was always some stressful thing. Meeting Shakira calmed me down.”

Miss Guyana 1966 did not tell Michael to stop drinking. He adopted the change in the hopes of staying sober to experience life vividly with his spouse and to see his grandchildren grow up. However, he added that she was very anxious about him living an entire life span.

Michael Caine and Shakira, sharing a conversation Circa 1970 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

They Share a Daughter and Several Grandchildren

After their marriage in 1973, the Caines welcomed their daughter and only child, Natasha Caine, shortly after. Natasha graduated from Manchester University in England after a brief period of modeling like her Guyanese mother.

In 2000, Natasha married property developer Michael Hall, with whom she shares three children. However, according to Closer, they are no longer together. Michael, a father of two daughters, is now a proud grandfather to his daughter Natasha’s children.

Michael Caine and Shakira Caine attending the “Interstellar Live” show at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, on March 30, 2015. | Source: Getty Images

Natasha is a mother of three children, including a set of twins. Her father did not have any sons in his two marriages, so she told him that the twins were his sons — not literally, but figuratively.

When speaking about his experience of being a grandparent, Michael said, “starting life over. Just when you get old enough to start thinking about death, your grandchildren come along, and all you think about is life. It’s fabulous.”

Michael Caine poses with daughters Natasha (L) and Dominique (R) and his wife Shakira (2ndL) upon receiving an awarded with “Commandeur des arts et des lettres” by French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand at Ministere de la Culture, Paris, France, on January 6, 2011. | Source: Getty Images

There is not much information about Michael’s first daughter, Domonique. She was born in 1956, shortly after her parents got married. Domonique, also known as Nikki, did not pursue a career in Hollywood like her father.

Domonique chose a different route, going into business as an owner of a horse farm. Unfortunately, in 1977, her mother, Patricia, succumbed to the effects of lung cancer. Her father recently celebrated his 50th anniversary with her stepmother, Shakira.

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