Linda Christian, the 1st Bond girl, dies at 87

[July 25, 2011]  PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) -- Linda Christian, the Hollywood starlet of the 1940s who married heartthrob Tyrone Power and went on to become the first Bond girl, has died.

Her daughter, Romina Power, says Christian died Friday in Palm Desert after battling colon cancer. She was 87.

Born in Mexico, Christian pursued an acting career in Los Angeles and eventually signed a contract with MGM. She made her film debut alongside Danny Kaye in the 1944 musical comedy Up In Arms.

A year after appearing in 1948's Tarzan and the Mermaids, Christian married Power, one of Hollywood's most popular leading men. They divorced in 1956.

Christian's famous curves led Life magazine to nickname her the "anatomic bomb."

In 1954 she starred as James Bond's love interest in the television adaptation of the novel Casino Royale.

She is survived by her daughters, Romina and Taryn Power, and eight grandchildren.

[Associated Press]

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