Photos of Young Pierce Brosnan and Wife Keely Shaye Brosnan in the 1990s

Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith at the Point Depot During the Boxing match in 1995. — Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith in 1995. Photo:
Independent News And Media/Getty

What’s the secret to a 30-year relationship? Just ask Pierce Brosnan and wife Keely Shaye Brosnan.

While the couple married in 2001, they’ve actually been together since 1994. In 2022, 28 years after they met, the Brosnans told PEOPLE that the secret to their lasting love has been their unique bond.

"Solving problems day in, year after year, liking each other, getting on with each other," Brosnan said.

"Being best friends,” Keely added, seemingly perfectly in tune with her heartthrob husband.

As these photos show, that enviable romantic camaraderie has been evident from the earliest days of their relationship.

01 of 15

Year One

Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith — Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan in 1994.
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Hollywood heartthrob Pierce Brosnan met former actor turned journalist and filmmaker Keely Shaye Smith while in Mexico in 1994. Here they are attending the Carousel of Hope Ball to Benefit Juvenile Diabetes together that same year.

02 of 15

Nothing But Love

Pierce Brosnan & Keely Shaye Smith — Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith in 1995.
SGranitz/WireImage

The following year, Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith were at the Los Angeles Tennis Center for the "An Evening at the Net" benefit, with Keely doing a stylish spin on tennis whites.

03 of 15

Out on the Town

The happy couple looked thrilled to be together at opening night of the Los Angeles Music Center Opera's 10th season.

04 of 15

Bond Girl

Actor Pierce Brosnan and girlfriend Keely Shaye Smith attend the "Goldeneye" New York City Premiere Party on November 13, 1995 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City — Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith in 1995.
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Pierce Brosnan's first turn as James Bond in GoldenEye hit theaters in 1995, and Keely Shaye Smith was the star's date to several red carpet events, beginning with the film's world premiere at New York's Radio City Music Hall.

05 of 15

London Calling

Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith during GoldenEye - UK Film Premiere - November 1, 1995 at Leicester Square in London, Great Britain. — Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith in 1995.
Fred Duval/FilmMagic

The couple stepped out together again for GoldenEye's U.K. premiere in London.

06 of 15

Bond-y Beach

Pierce Brosnan (R) with his girlfriend Keely Shaye Smith in Sydney for the premiere of his new James Bond film 'Goldeneye' in 1995 in Sydney, Australia — Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan in 1995. Peter Carrette Archive/Getty

While in Sydney for the Australian premiere of GoldenEye, the couple looked effortlessly gorgeous on the beach.

07 of 15

Picture Perfect

Keely Shaye Smith & Pierce Brosnan during "Desperado" Premiere at Loews Cineplex Century Plaza in Los Angeles, California, United States. — Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan in 1995.
SGranitz/WireImage

Keely Shaye Smith beamed a luminous smile as Pierce Brosnan smoldered for the camera on the red carpet in 1995.

08 of 15

Close To You

Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith at the Point Depot During the Boxing match between Stephen Collins and Cornelius Carr on November 25, 1995 — Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan in 1995.
Independent News And Media/Getty

Pierce Brosnan kept Keely Shaye Smith close as they attended a 1995 boxing match.

09 of 15

Cause Celebs

Pierce Brosnan & Keely Shaye Smith during "Liquid Life" Photographic Exhibit in Support of Dolphins at Atlantis Clothing Cafe in Malibu, California, United States. — Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith in 1995.
SGranitz/WireImage

A committed environmental activist, Keely Shaye Smith brought Pierce Brosnan as her date to the 1995 "Liquid Life" Photographic Exhibit in Support of Dolphins at Atlantis Clothing Cafe in Malibu.

10 of 15

Strike a Pose

Actor Pierce Brosnan and girlfriend Keely Shaye Smith attend the 22nd Annual People's Choice Awards on March 10, 1996 at Universal Studios in Universal City, California — Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith in 1996.
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Pierce Brosnan always seems to get a smile out of Keely Shaye Smith while hamming it up on the red carpet, as he did here at the 22nd Annual People's Choice Awards.

11 of 15

Gleam Team

Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith at the 1996 Governors Ball for the Academy Awards March 25, 1996 — Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith in 1996.
Bei/Shutterstock

A dashing Pierce Brosnan and a glamorous Keely Shaye Smith perfectly complemented each other at the post-Academy Awards Governors Ball in 1996.

12 of 15

Baby on Board

1996: Pierce Brosnan pats his pregnant girlfriend Keely Shaye Smith at the premier of Michael Collins staring Liam Neeson. — Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan in 1996.
Stewart Cook/Getty

Pierce Brosnan showed off Keely Shaye Smith's baby bump at the 1996 premiere of Michael Collins. The couple have two sons together, as well as one son from Pierce's first marriage to Australian actress Cassandra Harris, who died in 1991. Pierce also adopted Harris's two children from a previous marriage.

13 of 15

Here's Looking at You

Actor Pierce Brosnan and girlfriend Keely Shaye Smith attend the Hollwyood Walk of Fame Star Salute to Pierce Brosnan on December 3, 1997 — Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith in 1997.
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Keely Shaye Smith gazed lovingly at Pierce Brosnan as the leading man turned up the charm while accepting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1997.

14 of 15

Beauty in Black

Actor Pierce Brosnan and girlfriend Keely Shaye Smith attend the Ark Trust's 12th Annual Genesis Awards on March 28, 1998 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California — Keely Shay Smith and Pierce Brosnan in 1998.
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Keely Shaye Smith's thousand-watt smile lit up the night once again as she accompanied Pierce Brosnan to the Ark Trust's 12th Annual Genesis Awards in 1998.

15 of 15

Together Forever

Actor Pierce Brosnan and girlfriend Keely Shaye Smith attend the "Children at Heart" Celebrity/Fantasy Auction to Benefit Chabad's Children of Chernobyl on November 11, 1998 at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers in New York City. — Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan in 1998.
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Four years in, it was clear Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan were in it for the long haul. Here, they snuggled up while posing for photographers at the 1998 "Children at Heart" benefit in New York City.