Was This Dominican Playboy The Real-Life Inspiration For James Bond?

Here's a really compelling argument.
Just picture him saying. "It's Bond. James Bond."
Just picture him saying. "It's Bond. James Bond."
Hulton Archive via Getty Images

There’s been plenty of debate about who will be the next James Bond in recent years, complete with racist backlash over the possibility of the first Black 007. But here’s a twist, what if the inspiration for the man with a license to kill wasn’t white at all?

That’s what litigator and history aficionado Daniel J. Voelker tried to prove in a recent 8-page article titled, “Will the Real James Bond, Please Stand Up?,” which argues that Dominican playboy and socialite Porfirio Rubirosa was the main inspiration for Ian Fleming’s James Bond.

Rubirosa, also known as Rubi, was a Dominican diplomat within dictator Rafael Trujillo’s regime. He was known as a charming socialite with an affinity for fast cars, languages and women. His sexual prowess was one of his most legendary attributes.

In his article, Voelker makes a case for why Rubirosa was the primary inspiration for Fleming’s Jame Bond through a series of shared social connections between the author and Rubirosa.

“Two of the main focal points can be found through internationally famous celebrities Errol Flynn and Noel Coward,” Voelker writes in a press release for the article. “Friends with both Fleming and Rubirosa, these two lived between Fleming and Rubirosa in the Caribbean, traveled and partied with both of them and even shared a ‘love connection’ through certain well known women, including Rita Hayworth and Eva Perón.”

The Chicago-based lawyer paired his article with an infographic, below, that suggests Rubirosa not only moved in the same social circles as Fleming, but that he led a life so similar to Bond’s.

Litigator Daniel J. Voelker connects the dots between Agent 007 and Rubirosa in this infographic. For an expandable version, click here.
Litigator Daniel J. Voelker connects the dots between Agent 007 and Rubirosa in this infographic. For an expandable version, click here.

Over the years, there has been plenty of speculation over who the real-life inspiration for Bond was. Voelker argues the reason Fleming never disclosed a name might have been because of Rubirosa’s heritage.

“Fleming was restrained from identifying Rubirosa as his inspiration, as that would have created unwanted liabilities and may have put an end to what would become the most successful movie franchise in history,” Voelker writes at the conclusion of his article. “Moreover, given Rubirosa’s Creole or mixed racial background, Fleming’s audience in the 1950s and early 60s may not, unfortunately, have been very accepting of such a revelation.”

Read Voelker’s entire article here and check out more photos of the Dominican playboy below.

Porfirio Rubirosa

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