Barbara Bach found fame and romance in the classic Hollywood era amid a spotlight career that started with a successful modeling stint. Active since 1965, Bach’s contribution to the epic history of the film industry has spanned close to six decades. It was also during the peak of her career that she met the love of her life and The Beatles’ famed drummer, Ringo Starr.
In April 2021, Ringo Starr and Bach marked forty years of marriage, with Starr celebrating on social media. Leading up to their long-standing union, the couple were stars in their own right. Bach’s entertainment career trajectory saw her go from being a highly decorated model to a successful actress.
After graduating high school in 1964, Bach pursued her career as a professional model in New York. The young beauty got signed to Eileen Ford Agency and soon became one of the models in demand in the 1960s. She appeared on the cover of big-shot magazines, including Vogue USA, Elle, and Seventeen. Bach was also photographed by top-notch photographers like Richard Avedon. Her career would take on a more interesting turn one year later after she met her first husband, Augusto Gregorini, an Italian businessman.
The pro model met Gregorini in 1966 while on a trip to Rome, where she was slated to model some fabrics. Per Byography, Bach once recounted they met on a plane. During the course of their conversation, Gregorini was able to convince her to move to Italy to attain more career achievements. The 19-year-old Bach later informed her parents of her decision to move to Europe, and although, ‘they were not terribly thrilled by the idea,” Bach’s parents grew accustomed to her new life.
Months later, the top model married Gregorini, who was 11 years her senior. Her life in Italy included continued success in her modeling career. She frequently graced the covers of notable Italian magazines like Amica, Gioia Italy, and Bella. Her acting career took off amid her modeling success when she was randomly asked on the streets of Italy if she would love to appear on television.
Bach made her acting debut in 1967 on a TV show called “Cordialmente.” However, her acting recognition began when she starred in Italian director Franco Rossi’s miniseries adaptation of Homer’s epic poem, “The Odyssey.” Bach played the minor role of Princess Naucisca in the series, but it made an impression due to the success of the series in Europe.
From there, she became a movie staple with acting credits in films like “Il Mio Padre Monsignore,” “La tarantula del vetro” and “Paolo di Caulo” among others. In 1977, she was cast as Anya Amasova, a KGB agent and the Bond girl love interest of Roger Moore’s James Bond in “The Spy Who Loved Me.” This would go on to be one of her most notable roles.
During this time, Bach’s marriage with Geogorini had ended. The pair, who had two children together, separated in 1975, and she moved back to America. In 1980, she was cast in the comedy slapstick movie, “Caveman” alongside Ringo Starr. The pair played love interests, and this transcended into real life at the end of filming.
Years before they met on the set of Caveman, the Beatles star and Bach almost had an encounter. She had attended the Beatles iconic Shea Stadium concert with her sister, Marjorie.
She revealed to People in 2017 that she only chaperoned her sister as she was not a Beatles fan at the time. As fate would have it, she and Ringo Starr became love interests 15 years later. Within the first year of their relationship, the A-listers faced major ups and downs together.
Months after they became an item, Ringo Starr and Bach were involved in a life-threatening accident. Starr told People that they became more intentional about each other after the incident. He relayed:
“We decided we wouldn’t spend any time apart. So far the longest break was five days, and that was too long. I want to live every minute with Barbara.”
Bach and the love of her life became man and wife the following year in April 1981, joining their blended family. Like her, Ringo was previously married, and he has three kids. Their wedding was held months after Starr’s pal and band member John Lennon passed on. Starr and Bach continued to grow as a couple, from going to rehab to creating non-profits for charitable causes.
The celebrity couple founded The Lotus Foundation in 1998 to create social welfare programs for individuals dealing with physical and mental health issues. Through it all, Starr and Bach continue to bask in love. For their 35th anniversary in 2015, the music star, the lovebirds, proved their romance was evergreen in an interview with People.
In 2021, Starr shared a sweet tribute celebrating their 40th anniversary. In the Instagram post, the singer shared a retro photo from his and Bach’s 1981 wedding with their well-wishers Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
Isn’t it sweet to see Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach revel in their long-standing union? Do you recall your favorite scene of watching them in “Caveman?” Let us know, and be sure to pass this on to other Ringo Starr and Bach fans.
