Ursula Andress at 90: Bond Girl Faces Financial Ruin After Manager’s Death
Ursula Andress, the Swiss actress who captivated audiences as the first Bond girl Honey Ryder in 1962’s Dr. No, is celebrating her 90th birthday amid a devastating financial crisis. The actress alleges she was defrauded of approximately £16 million by her late former manager, Eric Freymond.
A Cinematic Icon
Andress rose to international fame with her iconic entrance from the sea in Dr. No, a role that earned her a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year [1]. She later appeared as Vesper Lynd in the 1967 James Bond spoof, Casino Royale. Throughout her career, she starred in numerous films, including Fun in Acapulco (1963), She (1965), The Blue Max (1966), Clash of the Titans (1981), and Peter the Great (1986).
Turbulent Times at 90
Despite a successful career, Andress’s life has taken a difficult turn. In January 2026, she filed a criminal complaint against Freymond, accusing him of embezzlement and fraud. She claims he exploited her trust over eight years, systematically depriving her of a significant portion of her assets. “For eight years, I was courted and wooed. They lied to me ruthlessly and exploited my goodwill and trust in a perfidious, even criminal, way to take everything from me. And they were counting on my age. I’m so devastated,” she told German publication Blick.
Allegations of Fraud and Embezzlement
Andress alleges Freymond gambled away or lost £16 million (€18.6 million) through questionable transactions without her knowledge. He is also accused of making unauthorized art purchases on her behalf, with the artworks never delivered to her. Freymond was previously investigated for allegedly embezzling funds from Hermès heir Nicolas Puech. He confessed to some of the charges during an interrogation in Paris in July 2025, before taking his own life shortly after. The artworks allegedly purchased with Andress’s money were reportedly transferred to his wife, Caroline’s, name.
Legal Proceedings and Emotional Distress
Authorities in the Vaud canton are investigating the alleged fraud. A statement from Andress’s management to Blick stated that she was “deprived of a large portion of her assets, resulting in significant damage” through a “fraud scheme of exceptional scale and complexity.” Andress expressed her distress, stating, “This feeling of helplessness is unbearable – it’s killing me.” She added, “I’ve been disgustingly cheated! I hope the perpetrators are punished to the full extent of the law.”
A Colorful Personal Life
Andress’s personal life has been as eventful as her career. She lost her virginity to a married man at age 17 and later had relationships with actors John Derek, Dennis Hopper, and James Dean. Her relationship with actor Harry Hamlin resulted in the birth of their son, Dimitri Alexander Hamlin, in 1980. Hamlin has spoken about the challenges of not growing up with his son, who was primarily raised in Rome by Andress.
Later Years and Reclusiveness
Andress largely retired from acting in the 1990s, with her final role in the 2005 Swiss film The Bird Preacher. She sold her Beverly Hills home in 2017 and now divides her time between Rome and Gstaad, Switzerland.