Movie The stolen assets of Ursula Andress have been traced
The "missing" assets of Ursula Andress have been found thanks to an international investigation. The now deceased asset manager of the 90-year-old actress had embezzled a large part of her money during her lifetime.
26.03.2026, 12:14
SDA
The investigations have shed light on a highly complex money laundering network, the Italian news agency Adnkronos reported on Thursday.
The investigations originated in Switzerland, where Andress had reported a progressive reduction in her assets, which she had entrusted to trustees. "I'm in a very bad way at the moment," she told Blick in January. Andress filed a criminal complaint with the canton of Vaud. She accuses her former asset manager of stealing 18 million francs from her.
The Swiss authorities discovered opaque and sophisticated transactions aimed at obstructing the traceability of the money. The investigations made it possible to trace the "path" of around CHF 18 million, which was subsequently reinvested in foreign companies, real estate purchases and valuable works of art.
Connections to Florence
Italy became involved in the case when significant links to the province of Florence emerged. There, 11 properties and 14 plots of land, including vineyards and olive groves, as well as works of art and other financial assets were identified. All of this is considered to be the result of money laundering.
According to Adnkronos, the District Directorate for Combating the Mafia of the Florence Public Prosecutor's Office, together with the financial police, has now had assets, works of art and financial resources worth around 20 million euros seized. According to the indictment, these assets are connected to the illegal management of Ursula Andress' assets.
Andress, who grew up in Ostermundigen and now lives in seclusion in Rome, became famous in 1962 as the first Bond girl alongside 007 actor Sean Connery. The scene with her in the white bikini has gone down in film history. She recently celebrated her 90th birthday.
