This weekend, the man many consider to the greatest 007 of all passed away (or “past on”, according to some) at his home in Lyford Cay, the Bahamas, at the age of 90.

The Scotsman grew up working-class and held a number of jobs, including milkman, labourer, steel bender, and cement mixer, before joining the British Royal Navy in 1947.

In 1953, his career was launched with a role in South Pacific, and he went on to star in more than 60 movies, amassing a sizeable fortune along the way.

It’s said that Connery discovered the home he would spend his final days in when filming 1965’s Thunderball, naming it ‘Out of Bounds’ due to its proximity to a golf course.

For those keen to snap up a nice retirement home on Lyford Cay, a sizeable fortune is certainly needed, because property doesn’t come cheap.

We may as well go all in, which means splashing out $45 million (around R730 million) for Serendip Cove, “a magical home tucked into the corner of Clifton Bay, Lyford Cay”.

14 bedrooms, 15 000 square feet of interior, and 360 square feet of private beachfront. Be gone, commoners.

Here’s more from the Christie’s listing:

The grandest of its kind, Serendip Cove is filled with character and charm. Decorated by famed interior designer Sister Parish, the estate is located on one of the most pristine beaches of New Providence…

The beautifully decorated main house has a large living room with marble fireplace, large dining room which can sit up to 30 persons, gourmet kitchen, indoor and outdoor sitting areas, television room, library, spacious porch, six bedrooms with private bathrooms, bar, separate staff quarters and garages.

The pool cottages, next to the pool and ocean, have eight private bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. More casual in style than the main house, the pool cottages have a well equipped kitchen, family room with fireplace, and an out-door covered dining porch.

Rather than a few pictures, let’s enjoy a video tour:

If $45 million is a touch out of the price range (we won’t judge), you could always scale down and pay $12,5 million (around R200 million) for Casuarina Beach, a luxurious property where Princess Di once stayed with William and Harry.

The royals were guests of Kate Menzies, of the Menzies family, whose daughter is the home’s current owner.

A video tour? Why not:

Charming.

Resht in peash, Sean.

[source:christies]