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He has long been viewed as a classic cinematic heartthrob.

But despite his decades in the spotlight in an industry renowned for relationship drama and scandal, Pierce Brosnan, 72, has enjoyed an enduring romance with his wife Keely Shaye Smith.

The couple are often deemed one of Hollywood's great love stories, and on Tuesday, they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

After first meeting in Mexico back in 1994, the pair are still just as loved up as they were on their first magical date beneath the stars.

However, it was a connection that formed when Pierce wasn't exactly searching for love.

The pair met three years after the death of his first wife, Cassandra Harris.

Pierce Brosnan's incredible love story with Keely Shaye Smith: How the actor stood by the woman who mended his broken heart following the tragic death of his first wife

The couple are often deemed one of Hollywood's great love stories, and on Tuesday, they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary (pictured in 1996)

Cassandra, whom he wed in 1980, tragically died in 1991, a day after their 11th wedding anniversary, from ovarian cancer at the age of 43.

Together, the couple had welcomed son Sean, 41, and the Bond star adopted her children Charlotte - who passed away at 41 after fighting the same disease - and Christopher, 52, from a previous relationship.

'There is an incredible cruelty in it all,' Pierce told People in 1992, 'losing a person you shared everything with. This is the first time in my life I've ever experienced bereavement, and it's overwhelming.'

And it was Keeley who helped mend his broken heart.

'Ups and downs are what life is all about,' Pierce explained to the Mail on Sunday in 2013.

'But the memory of Cassie and her fight against cancer is never forgotten. Keely has always been kind and compassionate and encouraged me to mourn Cassie.'

After starring in a few small roles in TV and film throughout the 1980s, Keely transitioned to journalism and documentary filmmaking.

The campaigner grew up in Oahu, Hawaii, and has dedicated much of her work to protecting the oceans surrounding the Pacific island as well as in Mexico.

Pierce and Keely first locked eyes in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in 1994, where then-TV correspondent Keely had been sent to interview Cheers icon Ten Danson.

The pair crossed paths at a party, and sparks soon flew.

The pair met three years after the death of his first wife, Cassandra Harris (Pierce pictured with Cassandra)

And it was Keeley who helped mend his broken heart

Upon meeting Pierce, Keely told People that she immediately found the Bond actor 'captivating' and that he had a 'mischievous sparkle in his eyes'.

In the same 2011 interview, the actor said of his wife: 'I found a great woman in Keely Shaye. Not if I searched a million times over would I find one as good.'

Three years after their fateful meeting in Mexico, Keely and Pierce welcomed son Dylan, 28, in January 1997.

He was joined by brother Paris, 24, in February 2001.

That August, Pierce and Keely tied the knot at Ballintubber Abbey in Ireland and, in true fairy-tale fashion, celebrated at Ashford Castle.

Now, 25 years later, they're still going strong.

However, their two-decade marriage has not been without its 'hardships'.

Speaking with Fox News in 2023, Pierce endearingly said about Keely and their marriage: 'We like each other a lot. We love each other a lot.'

He continued: 'And we've been down the road, and we've seen many, many hardships as families do, as we all do,' before adding: 'But watching someone grow up with you and grow old with you is a very spiritual journey.'

Pierce has never been shy to compliment his wife in interviews and always defended her against cruel comments from online critics regarding her weight.

On the secret to a long marriage, Pierce said: 'You know, it's just solving one problem after the [other], whether it's the washing machine or how far the finances are going to go or what your dreams are...'

Pierce and Keely are pictured with their sons Dylan and Paris in 2017

In a 2022 post, which has since been deleted, trolls compared how her body had changed since first meeting Pierce in 1994.

Yet Pierce made sure to defend his wife as he replied: 'Friends offered her surgery to reduce her weight. But I strongly love every curve of her body.

'She is the most beautiful woman in my eyes. And also because she had our five children.'

He continued: 'In the past, I truly loved her for her person, not only for her beauty, and now I'm loving her even more that she is my children's mother.

'And I am very proud of her, and I always seek to be worthy of her love.'

Pierce also often shares his love for and devotion to Keely on Instagram where the couple celebrate milestones including anniversaries and birthdays.

Celebrating Keely's 60th birthday in September 2023, Pierce penned in his birthday post: 'Sixty roses for my brown-eyed girl on her 60th birthday.'

Referring to their first meeting. he added: 'Forever happy and blessed was I to be sitting there when you walked around the corner early one morning in Cabo San Lucas.'

In June last year, Pierce discussed his marriage and detailed how he feels about Keely in the 'blessed' life they have created.

He said: 'Keely and I love each other and are blessed to have each other as companions in this life. And we've created a good life for ourselves of hard work and perseverance of life.'

On the secret to a long marriage, he went on: 'You know, it's just solving one problem after the [other], whether it's the washing machine or how far the finances are going to go or what your dreams are...

'But, ultimately, we just enjoy each other's company enormously.'