When you hear James Bond, you hear tuxedos, martinis, and over-the-top villains. But let’s get real—the Bond girls are just as much a part of the franchise’s DNA as anything else. They’ve been friends, foes, lovers, and sometimes all three wrapped into one. Some are remembered for being fashion-forward, some for being tough, and a few for having a profound effect on Bond’s life. Here’s a countdown of the 10 greatest Bond girls in 007 history.
10. Ana de Armas as Paloma (No Time to Die)
She might not have had much screen time, but Ana de Armas made an impact that viewers won’t soon forget. In No Time to Die, Paloma appears in a show-stopping gown and goes on to take out a room full of bad men with ease. She’s enjoying, capable, and reassuringly contemporary—a sign that Bond women no longer exist just to tag along.
9. Eva Green as Vesper Lynd (Casino Royale)
Eva Green’s Vesper is not another Bond girl—she’s the Bond girl. Clever, complex, and ultimately heartbreaking, she’s the one who gets under Bond’s skin and remains there. Her betrayal and demise leave emotional scars that ripple across the entire Craig era, making her one of the franchise’s most significant characters.
8. Michelle Yeoh as Wai Lin (Tomorrow Never Dies)
Before Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar win, she was stealing scenes from the competition as Chinese spy Wai Lin. Trained in martial arts, independent as all get-out, and more than Bond’s equal, Wai Lin showed that women in the franchise were capable of doing a whole lot more than sidekick or eye candy. In truth, she should have had her own spin-off.
7. Grace Jones as May Day (A View to a Kill)
Grace Jones didn’t act May Day—she was May Day. More imposing than fashionable, May Day erased the distinction between villain and love interest. Her towering figure and outlandish costumes shattered every Bond-girl cliché, securing her as one of the franchise’s most enduring characters.
6. Maud Adams as Octopussy (Octopussy and The Man with the Golden Gun)
Maud Adams is the only Bond actress to play two successive lead roles, but her performance as Octopussy is the most memorable. Refining, enigmatic, and lethal, she was a force to be reckoned with and was more than capable of standing up to 007. Adams added depth to the stereotype, showing the Bond girls could be more than fleshed-out set decoration.
5. Diana Rigg as Tracy Bond (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service)
Tracy Bond is the sole woman James Bond ever wed—and that in itself makes her unforgettable. Diana Rigg brought independence, strength, and vulnerability to Tracy, providing a rare emotional center to the franchise. Her tragic demise provided Bond with one of his most humanized plots.
4. Shirley Eaton as Jill Masterson (Goldfinger)
Jill Masterson’s golden death is cinema’s greatest image. Her time on-screen is limited, yet Shirley Eaton’s performance became legendary overnight, inspiring countless parodies and forever integrating itself into pop culture. At times, it is only a matter of one shot to become eternal.
3. Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore (Goldfinger)
With one of the most notorious titles ever, Pussy Galore was bound to be memorable—but Honor Blackman’s performance ensured she was more than just a headline. Confident, able, and irresistibly charming, she was one of the first of the Bond girls to be a genuine match for 007.
2. Daniela Bianchi as Tatiana Romanova (From Russia With Love)
Tatiana Romanova remains one of the most memorable women of the Connery era. As a Soviet operative caught in a web of deception, she balanced vulnerability with allure. Daniela Bianchi’s portrayal captured the Cold War intrigue that defined From Russia With Love, making her a Bond girl for the ages.
1. Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder (Dr. No)
The scene that started it all: Ursula Andress emerging from the ocean in a white bikini, seashell in hand. Honey Ryder wasn’t just the first Bond girl—she set the template for decades to come. Independent, striking, and unforgettable, she remains the gold standard.
Through the decades, the Bond girl has matured from damsel and femme fatale to independently existing, active characters with agency and influence. Characters like Paloma and Vesper demonstrate that the franchise can find a balance between glamour and substance, and occasionally allow the women to take center stage. One thing’s for certain: the Bond girl is as ageless as 007 himself—reimagined constantly, yet forever iconic.