Meet Michael Caine’s wife, former Miss Guyana Shakira Caine – the Dark Knight actor calls her ‘the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen’ and credits her with saving his life

Oct 7 , 2024

Who is former Guyanese beauty queen Shakira Caine, Sir Michael Caine’s wife? Photo: Getty Images

The couple have been happily married for 5 decades and she’s acted alongside Ringo Starr, Sean Connery and her husband

The only thing that may be more remarkable than Sir Michael Caine’s long and celebrated career is the fact that he’s been happily married for more than five decades – a feat that would be impressive for anyone, let alone a prominent showbiz couple.

Caine’s wife, the stunning model and actress Shakira Baksh Caine, has stood by her husband’s side through the years. She’s supported the Dark Knight star during his incredible acting career, which include two Oscar wins for Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules. But what else do we know about her?

Shakira Caine is a former beauty queen from Guyana

British actor Michael Caine with his wife, Shakira Caine. Photo: SCMP

Born in Guyana in February 1947, Shakira Baksh reportedly grew up in a Muslim family of Indian descent. As reported by the Guyana Chronicle, while working as a secretary, Baksh was encouraged by her boss to enter the 1967 Miss Guyana beauty pageant.

Another motivation to enter the contest was the terrorist attack at a US Information Service office that she survived, albeit with “her eardrum ruptured and cheek scarred”. Per a 1976 People profile on Michael and Shakira Caine, “That incident, plus diminishing opportunities for Indians in Guyana, led to her entry into a beauty contest – ‘my main concern was just to get out.’”

She won Miss Guyana and later went on to compete at the Miss World contest in London, where she snagged third place. Eventually, the future Mrs Caine moved to England permanently.

She also worked as a model and actress

Actress and model Shakira Baksh, wife of actor Michael Caine, in 1971. Photo: Getty Images

Shakira’s first acting roles were uncredited roles in the 1969 films Carry on Again Doctor and Some Girls Do. She had a couple of appearances in the 1970s TV series UFO as well as a role in the 1973 dark comedy Son of Dracula with Beatles legend Ringo Starr. She played Roxanne in 1975’s The Man Who Would Be King alongside Sean Connery and her husband Michael Caine.

Shakira Caine married Michael Caine in 1973

Michael Caine stands with his wife Shakira in 2000. Photo: Reuters

Shakira is Michael’s second wife. He was previously married to British actress Patricia Haines, with whom he shares daughter Dominique, born in 1957.