When Michael Caine celebrated his 85th birthday in London, he rolled up to the party in a wheelchair. Don’t worry, though—he’s still as spry and sharp as ever. Turns out, he slipped on some icy pavement and broke his ankle, but that’s not slowing him down one bit. “He’s in fine health and great spirits,” says a spokesperson. And let’s be real, after more than five decades in the film industry, it’s going to take more than a little tumble to slow this guy down. “My life has improved from decade to decade,” Michael reflects. His big break came in 1966 with Alfie, after nearly a decade of hard work on stage and in smaller roles. That’s the kind of perseverance that defines a true legend.

These days, Michael’s joys have shifted. It’s not about movies, money, or women anymore. He’s been happily married for 45 years to Shakira Baksh, a former Miss Guyana, whom he calls “the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met.” They tied the knot back in 1973 when he was 39 and she was 25. So what brings him happiness now? “My grandchildren,” Michael beams, speaking of his daughter Natasha’s three kids. “I’m utterly devoted to them.” Family, it seems, is at the heart of everything for this iconic actor.

Michael and his wife, Shakira.

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Core Values and Cherished Principles

Michael Caine has always been clear about the principles that guide his life and career. “I’m a feminist to the core,” he declares proudly. He recalls an insightful moment when an interviewer asked his wife, Shakira, what first attracted her to him. Her answer was simple but profound: “The way he treated his mother.” Michael was born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Jr. in London and grew up with his father, a fish porter, and his mother, who worked as a cook and charwoman. It’s clear that the values instilled in him from a young age continue to shape who he is today.

Lessons Learned from Movie Star Legends

Throughout his career, Michael has learned invaluable lessons from his peers. One unforgettable experience involved Tony Curtis, who literally saved his life. Back in the day, Michael smoked heavily, but all that changed one night at a party. He was chain-smoking by the fireplace when a hand reached around from behind him, grabbed the cigarettes from his pocket, and tossed them into the fire. It was none other than Tony Curtis. They hadn’t even met before, but Tony looked him straight in the eye and said, “You’re going to die if you keep doing that, you idiot.” That was all it took for Michael to quit smoking cold turkey. “Tony Curtis saved my life,” he says with gratitude.