Michael Caine's Life in Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

Michael Caine.Photo: Terry O’Neill/Iconic Images/Getty

Born Maurice Mickelwhite on March, 14, 1933, in Southwark, South London,Michael Cainecompleted a stint in the British Army before turning to acting in the 1950s — and he’s never looked back.Before announcing his retirement once and for all in 2023, the Oscar-winning actor who has endless hits to his name includingAlfie,Dirty Rotten ScoundrelsandBatman Begins.Plus, he’s written several successful books, and, as he shared, “as a writer, you can start writing without leaving the bed.“In addition to his impressive résumé, Caine found love more than 50 years ago with his wifeShakira, whom he wed in 1973. The two welcomed their first and only child that same year and are now proud grandparents.Here, a look back at the actor’s prolific life and career in photos.

Born Maurice Mickelwhite on March, 14, 1933, in Southwark, South London,Michael Cainecompleted a stint in the British Army before turning to acting in the 1950s — and he’s never looked back.

Before announcing his retirement once and for all in 2023, the Oscar-winning actor who has endless hits to his name includingAlfie,Dirty Rotten ScoundrelsandBatman Begins.Plus, he’s written several successful books, and, as he shared, “as a writer, you can start writing without leaving the bed.”

In addition to his impressive résumé, Caine found love more than 50 years ago with his wifeShakira, whom he wed in 1973. The two welcomed their first and only child that same year and are now proud grandparents.

Here, a look back at the actor’s prolific life and career in photos.

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Michael Caine’s Early Life

Michael Caine’s Early Years.Terry O’Neill/Iconic Images/Getty

Caine had a working-class upbringing: mother Ellen was a charwoman and father Maurice, a fish porter.

His family was evacuated from their home during World War II. About a decade later, in 1951, Caine served in the British Army during the Korean War. His experience was harrowing and made him “very anti-war,” ashe recounted in his biographyThe Elephant to Hollywood.

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Michael Caine’s Breakout Role in ‘Alfie’

Michael Caine in ‘Alfie’.Tanner/Mirrorpix/Getty

He acted in films includingZuluandTheIpcress Filein the early 1960s before landing what was truly his breakout role inAlfie,a film about a charming womanizer that costarred (from left) Vivien Merchant, Jane Asher, Julia Foster and Shelley Winters.

03of 20Michael Caine in ‘X, Y & Zee’Michael Caine in ‘X, Y & Zee’.Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock"I love Elizabeth,” Caine told PEOPLE in 2010 ofElizabeth Taylor, his costar in the 1972 marital dramaX, Y & Zee.“She knew her lines, she never fluffed — she was perfect. In fact I fluffed my lines far more than she did. She was sweet as pie. Lovely.”

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Michael Caine in ‘X, Y & Zee’

Michael Caine in ‘X, Y & Zee’.Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

“I love Elizabeth,” Caine told PEOPLE in 2010 ofElizabeth Taylor, his costar in the 1972 marital dramaX, Y & Zee.“She knew her lines, she never fluffed — she was perfect. In fact I fluffed my lines far more than she did. She was sweet as pie. Lovely.”

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Michael Caine Falls in Love with Shakira Baksh

Michael Caine and Shakira Baksh.AFP/Getty

“I got her number from the ad agency. She couldn’t get rid of me on the telephone, so she decided to come out with me and get rid of me,” he joked to PEOPLE in 2018. “We fell in love at first sight. We’ve been in love at first sight for 47 years.”

05of 20Michael Caine and Shakira Have Daughter NatashaMichael Caine and Daughter Natasha.Bill Cross/rexThe couple wed in Las Vegas in 1973 and welcomed daughter Natasha that same year. “I’m one of the most family-oriented men you’ll ever meet,” Caine told PEOPLE.

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Michael Caine and Shakira Have Daughter Natasha

Michael Caine and Daughter Natasha.Bill Cross/rex

The couple wed in Las Vegas in 1973 and welcomed daughter Natasha that same year. “I’m one of the most family-oriented men you’ll ever meet,” Caine told PEOPLE.

06of 20Michael Caine in ‘The Man Who Would Be King’Michael Caine in ‘The Man Who Would Be King’.Allied Artists/Kobal/Shutterstock"Sean [Connery]and I were the closest of friends before I lost him to golf and tax exile,” Caine told PEOPLE in 2010 of his costar in 1975’sThe Man Who Would Be King. “I’ve known him since I was 24. Put it this way: The last time I was ever in the [unemployment] queue, he was in front of me.”

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Michael Caine in ‘The Man Who Would Be King’

Michael Caine in ‘The Man Who Would Be King’.Allied Artists/Kobal/Shutterstock

“Sean [Connery]and I were the closest of friends before I lost him to golf and tax exile,” Caine told PEOPLE in 2010 of his costar in 1975’sThe Man Who Would Be King. “I’ve known him since I was 24. Put it this way: The last time I was ever in the [unemployment] queue, he was in front of me.”

07of 20Michael and Shakira Caine Cover PEOPLEMichael and Shakira Caine Cover PEOPLE.PeopleThe couple’s love story made the cover of PEOPLE in 1976. More than 40 years later, he reflected on why Shakira was the love of his life, to PEOPLE.“I wasn’t an alcoholic, but I was drinking very heavily, and I know it would have killed me. Shakira is a Muslim and doesn’t drink alcohol. She not only changed my life, she saved it,” he said. “We are never apart. She is one of the most beautiful people I have ever seen, but she is also the gentlest, kindest person. I have this extraordinary beautiful Indian wife who cooks fantastic Italian food. Things can’t get better than that.”

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Michael and Shakira Caine Cover PEOPLE

Michael and Shakira Caine Cover PEOPLE.People

The couple’s love story made the cover of PEOPLE in 1976. More than 40 years later, he reflected on why Shakira was the love of his life, to PEOPLE.

“I wasn’t an alcoholic, but I was drinking very heavily, and I know it would have killed me. Shakira is a Muslim and doesn’t drink alcohol. She not only changed my life, she saved it,” he said. “We are never apart. She is one of the most beautiful people I have ever seen, but she is also the gentlest, kindest person. I have this extraordinary beautiful Indian wife who cooks fantastic Italian food. Things can’t get better than that.”

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Michael Caine in ‘Victory’

09of 20Michael Caine in ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’Michael Caine in ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’.Orion/Kobal/ShutterstockThe 1988 film he made withSteve Martinwas “the happiest movie I ever made,” he told PEOPLE in 2010. “It was three months on sun-baked, topless beaches on the French Riviera, living in a villa near my close friendRoger Mooreand working with Steve, who is the most fabulous guy.”

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Michael Caine in ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’

Michael Caine in ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’.Orion/Kobal/Shutterstock

The 1988 film he made withSteve Martinwas “the happiest movie I ever made,” he told PEOPLE in 2010. “It was three months on sun-baked, topless beaches on the French Riviera, living in a villa near my close friendRoger Mooreand working with Steve, who is the most fabulous guy.”

10of 20Michael Caine’s Happy MarriageMichael Caine and Shakira Baksh.Paul Harris/Getty ImagesThe couple (in 1984) have had a happy marriage for 50 years. “I just love to go home, no matter where I am, the most luxurious hotel suite in the world, I love to go home,“Caine toldThe Mirror. “People ask me, ‘Where do you go for your holidays?’ I say, ‘I go home.'“He told PEOPLE in 2010, “My wife doesn’t have a bad side. There are very few people like that. She’s the goodest person I’ve ever met.”

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Michael Caine’s Happy Marriage

Michael Caine and Shakira Baksh.Paul Harris/Getty Images

The couple (in 1984) have had a happy marriage for 50 years. “I just love to go home, no matter where I am, the most luxurious hotel suite in the world, I love to go home,“Caine toldThe Mirror. “People ask me, ‘Where do you go for your holidays?’ I say, ‘I go home.'”

He told PEOPLE in 2010, “My wife doesn’t have a bad side. There are very few people like that. She’s the goodest person I’ve ever met.”

11of 20Michael Caine in ‘A Muppet Christmas Carol’Michael Caine in ‘A Muppet Christmas Carol’.Jim Henson Productions/Kobal/ShutterstockThe Oscar-winning actor had a little fun playing Ebeneezer Scrooge opposite the Muppets in 1992.

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Michael Caine in ‘A Muppet Christmas Carol’

Michael Caine in ‘A Muppet Christmas Carol’.Jim Henson Productions/Kobal/Shutterstock

The Oscar-winning actor had a little fun playing Ebeneezer Scrooge opposite the Muppets in 1992.

12of 20Michael Caine Wins an Oscar in 2000Michael Caine Wins an Oscar.Caine has been nominated for six Oscars and won two — forHannah and Her SistersandThe Cider House Rules(pictured). “To win one is amazing, the ultimate,” he told PEOPLE.

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Michael Caine Wins an Oscar in 2000

Michael Caine Wins an Oscar.

Caine has been nominated for six Oscars and won two — forHannah and Her SistersandThe Cider House Rules(pictured). “To win one is amazing, the ultimate,” he told PEOPLE.

13of 20Michael Caine’s Wife and DaughtersMichael Caine’s Wife and Daughters.Bei/ShutterstockThe actor celebrated his win alongside Shakira, Nikki (his daughter with Patricia Bailey) and Natasha (his daughter with Shakira), as well as Natasha’s fiancé.

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Michael Caine’s Wife and Daughters

Michael Caine’s Wife and Daughters.Bei/Shutterstock

The actor celebrated his win alongside Shakira, Nikki (his daughter with Patricia Bailey) and Natasha (his daughter with Shakira), as well as Natasha’s fiancé.

14of 20Michael Caine in ‘Miss Congeniality’Michael Caine in ‘Miss Congeniality’.Ron Batzdorff/Castle Rock/Fortis/Kobal/ShutterstockCaine’s pageant consultant Victor Melling was an unexpected highlight of the hit 2000 romantic comedy, starringSandra BullockandBenjamin Bratt.

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Michael Caine in ‘Miss Congeniality’

Michael Caine in ‘Miss Congeniality’.Ron Batzdorff/Castle Rock/Fortis/Kobal/Shutterstock

Caine’s pageant consultant Victor Melling was an unexpected highlight of the hit 2000 romantic comedy, starringSandra BullockandBenjamin Bratt.

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Michael Caine Is Knighted

Michael Caine Is Knighted in 2000.FIONA HANSON/getty

“I was named after my father and I was knighted in his name because I love my father,” he said,according to the BBC. “I always kept my real name - I’m a very private and family-orientated person.”

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Michael Caine in ‘Batman Begins’

The actor had considered retirement when, at 60, he read a script and realized he was no longer being considered for the “lover” but rather the “father” instead,he toldCBS Sunday Morning. ButJack Nicholsonsent him a script that convinced him he wanted to keep working, just as a character actor from there on out — as he did in this memorable 2005 turn as Alfred the butler toChristian Bale’s Batman.

17of 20Michael Caine’s AutobiographiesMichael Caine’s Autobiographies.Ian West/gettyFittingly for a career that’s spanned more than six decades, Caine has enough stories to fill a book — or three. He has written the memoirsWhat’s It All About?, The Elephant to HollywoodandBlowing the Bloody Doors Off,as well as some trivia books and an acting guide.

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Michael Caine’s Autobiographies

Michael Caine’s Autobiographies.Ian West/getty

Fittingly for a career that’s spanned more than six decades, Caine has enough stories to fill a book — or three. He has written the memoirsWhat’s It All About?, The Elephant to HollywoodandBlowing the Bloody Doors Off,as well as some trivia books and an acting guide.

18of 20Michael Caine’s HonorsMichael Caine’s Honors.Gisela Schober/GettyIn 2021, the actor won the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema at the 55th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic — just one of many acting honors he has won over the years.“I was with my grandson the other day, and he said, ‘Do you know how many awards you got?’ I said no. He said, ‘You’ve got 38, I just counted,’ " Caine recalled to PEOPLE in 2018.

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Michael Caine’s Honors

Michael Caine’s Honors.Gisela Schober/Getty

In 2021, the actor won the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema at the 55th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic — just one of many acting honors he has won over the years.

“I was with my grandson the other day, and he said, ‘Do you know how many awards you got?’ I said no. He said, ‘You’ve got 38, I just counted,’ " Caine recalled to PEOPLE in 2018.

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Michael Caine’s Family Life

Michael Caine Now.Dave Benett/Getty

He also said that he’s never been happier: “I don’t have any money worries, which I had earlier. I have taken care of everybody, which my mother said I should do. And I have my grandchildren. I am deliriously happy.”

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Michael Caine on Retirement and Beyond

Michael Caine at ‘The Great Escaper’ premiere.Dave Benett/WireImage

Dave Benett/WireImage

The actor continued to work steadily into his 80s, most recently appearing inTenet, Twist, Best Sellersand 2023’sThe Great Escaper.

“I keep saying I’m going to retire. Well, I am now,” he said.

“I’ve figured, I’ve had a picture where I’ve played the lead and it’s got incredible reviews. The only parts I’m likely to get now are old men,” he added. “…And I thought, well I might as well leave with all this — what have I got to do to beat this?”

In 2024 Caine was back to writing with the release of his bookDon’t Look Back, You’ll Trip Over: My Guide to Life. Later this year he’ll be releasing another non-fiction book on March 25, 2025 in the U.S. and Canada as a follow up to his 2018 memoir.

source: people.com