Sir Sean Connery's wife Micheline Roquebrune has revealed that the actor was suffering from dementia before his death yesterday.

The James Bond legend passed away in his sleep at the age of 90 on Sunday after being unwell "for some time", and now his wife of 45 years has opened up about the nature of his condition.

"It was no life for him. He was not able to express himself latterly," Micheline, 91, told the Daily Mail.

"At least he died in his sleep and it was just so peaceful. I was with him all the time and he just slipped away. It was what he wanted.

"He had dementia and it took its toll on him. He got his final wish to slip away without any fuss.

"He was gorgeous and we had a wonderful life together. He was a model of a man.

"It is going to be very hard without him, I know that. But it could not last forever and he went peacefully."

The death of Connery led to an outpouring of grief around the world, with current Bond actor Daniel Craig describing him as "one of the true greats of cinema".