Michael Caine Lost 30 Lbs to See Grandkids Grow Up, Praised Wife of 50 Years without Whom He’d ‘Been Dead Long Ago'

• Michael Caine has battled several ailments as he ages, including getting surgery to alleviate some of his issues.
• To extend his life, the actor changed his diet and lifestyle, all with the help of his loving wife.
• Michael and his wife, Shakira Caine, remain close to this day, and their love hasn't waned over the years.

In January 2022, Michael Caine sparked rumors that he might be retiring soon as he shifted his focus from his successful career to his ailing health. The actor already struggled walking and revealed he intended to focus more on writing than acting.

During an interview that year, he shared that he had written several books that became successful. The Oscar Award winner described himself as a writer and not an actor, allowing him the luxury of not having to be out of his home by 6:00 a.m. to make it on time to the studio.

Michael said that as a writer, he didn't have to leave his bed to start working. The celebrity's age is the deciding factor on whether he would finally retire from acting altogether and become a full-time writer.

The Golden Globe Award winner also shared the health struggles he's been going through. He said he has a spinal problem that affected his leg, making him unable to walk well.

His health appears to be deteriorating, as seen on 2023's Easter Sunday when the actor was photographed at a Caribbean beach with his wife, Shakira Caine, 76. The "Zulu" star was recovering from back surgery from the previous year but seemed to enjoy the sunshine and time away.

His operation was for spinal stenosis, and at the time, his wife noted how the procedure had been successful, and her husband was recovering. Michael, 90, was spotted going to a deckchair with the assistance of an aide and a walking frame.

After falling on ice and breaking his ankle, the actor started using a walking stick in 2018. With all his health and aging issues, Michael chose to make drastic changes in his life so he could be around longer for some special people in his life.

What Did Michael Do to Extend His Life, and Who Did He Do It For?

In March 2017, Michael confessed his worries, knowing he didn't have too long to live at his age, To mitigate this, the actor reduced his drinking and did a lot of research on the best methods to prevent cancer.

Using the information he got from his research, he adjusted his eating habits and lifestyle. At the time, the star was aware of how fleeting his life is, that he can "drop dead" at any moment. As such, he worked hard to lose weight, so he can live long enough for the people he loves. He admitted:

"You know I've lost 30 lbs just because I want to see my grandchildren."

Michael shared that he had three grandchildren, a set of twins (a boy and a girl) and another boy one year older than them. The actor revealed he wanted to live long enough to see the older boy, then seven, when he reached 17.

Part of Michael's healthy diet saw him cutting out sugar and gluten, though he confessed he couldn't help himself around a bacon sandwich.

Michael credited his wife for saving him from his destructive lifestyle. "Without her, I’d have been dead long ago," the actor admitted. Michael reached a point in his life when he would drink a whole bottle of vodka and smoke several packs of cigarettes daily. Thanks to Shakira's support, he kicked the habit.

The couple still kept their romance alive. Michael and his wife might be older, but they still manage to carve out some time for each other.

How Do Michael and Shakira Keep the Spark Alive?

In a 2018 interview, Michael explained how his wife helped him clean up his life and find a new purpose. "She saved my life, really," he said. The star also admitted he fell for Shakira in the 1970s, just eight minutes after seeing her, but it took her two hours to feel the same.

These days, they hardly stray far away from each other, and they often spend time together at their Chelsea apartment or Surrey country home. They still adore one another and are dedicated to their three grandchildren.

Michael once said they didn't need anyone but their family, and they are happy in their own company. The actor noted how everyone had a bad side but that his wife is the only person he has met who is only good.

When he isn't working, Michael spends time growing potatoes in his garden, or he catches up on sports. In his effort to live a healthy life, the actor snacks on sliced apples or oat biscuits.

Michael explained that by the time the husband returned home, he and his wife had become strangers.

The celebrity and his wife also support each other's careers. In the past, Shakira would accompany Michael to many of his movie premieres, and despite tying the knot on January 8, 1973, and being married for 50 years, the duo managed to remain romantic.

The star, who married Shakira in Las Vegas at the Candlelight Wedding Chapel, once revealed they would go off "on little honeymoons." Once in a while, the couple visited Paris' George V Hotel, where they would spend the weekend, free from other people.

The "Batman" star was also aware of the risks of filming on location to their marriage, and how the months apart could strain the relationship. Thus, he made it a point to take Shakira with him whenever he had to be away for long.

Michael explained that Shakira would join him on location but she was never an "appendage to a film star." Instead, the celebrity described her as his other half. Michael and Shakira have always stayed in love, and that would be the case forever, according to the veteran star.

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