Hayley Mills' Husbands And Children: A Timeline
- 01. Hayley Mills' Husbands and Children: The Complete Facts
- 02. Marriage Timeline: Roy Boulting and Beyond
- 03. Her Two Sons: Crispian Mills and Jason Lawson
- 04. Long-Term Relationships After Divorce
- 05. Family Background and Heritage
- 06. Career Context: From Child Star to Mother
- 07. Legacy and Current Status
Hayley Mills' Husbands and Children: The Complete Facts
Hayley Mills has been married once, to film director Roy Boulting, from June 10, 1971 until their divorce in 1977, and she has two sons: Crispian Mills (born January 18, 1973) from her marriage to Boulting, and Jason Lawson (born 1976) from her relationship with actor Leigh Lawson. She is not currently married but has been in a long-term partnership with actor Firdous Bamji since 1997, spanning nearly 26 years together.
Marriage Timeline: Roy Boulting and Beyond
Hayley Mills met director Roy Boulting while filming The Family Way in 1966, when she was just 20 years old and he was 53-a 33-year age gap that drew significant public attention. They married on June 10, 1971, in a private ceremony, and their union produced one child before ending in divorce after six years of marriage.
- June 10, 1971: Hayley Mills marries Roy Boulting at age 25
- January 18, 1973: Son Crispian Mills is born in Hammersmith, West London
- 1975: Mills and Boulting separate after four years of marriage
- 1977: Official divorce finalizes the end of their marriage
- 2001: Roy Boulting dies from cancer at age 83
Following her separation from Boulting in 1975, Mills moved in with actor Leigh Lawson, with whom she had her second son. The couple never married but cohabited for eight years before splitting in 1984. This relationship produced Jason Lawson, who later became an actor in his own right.
Her Two Sons: Crispian Mills and Jason Lawson
Hayley Mills' children have both pursued careers in entertainment, following their mother's legendary path in the industry. Crispian Mills is perhaps more publicly known as the lead singer and guitarist of the psychedelic rock band Kula Shaker, which achieved commercial success in the 1990s with hits like "Grateful When You're Dead" and "Tattva."
| Child | Birth Date | Father | Profession | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crispian Mills | January 18, 1973 | Roy Boulting | Musician, Actor | Lead singer of Kula Shaker; appeared in "Hotel Paradise" |
| Jason Lawson | 1976 | Leigh Lawson | Actor | Various British television and film roles |
Jason Lawson, nicknamed "Ace" by family members, has maintained a lower public profile than his half-brother but has steadily worked as an actor in British productions. Both sons were raised primarily by Mills after her relationships with their fathers ended, with Crispian spending significant time in both the UK and eventually pursuing music internationally.
Long-Term Relationships After Divorce
After her divorce from Boulting became final in 1977, Mills entered into several significant relationships that shaped her personal life for decades. Her relationship with Leigh Lawson from 1976 to 1984 was particularly important as it produced her second child, though the pair never formalized their union through marriage.
During the mid-1990s, Mills had a relationship with Marcus Maclaine, a rock musician who was notably 34 years younger than she was. The connection carried additional complexity because Maclaine's brother, Maxwell Caulfield, is married to Mills' sister Juliet, making him her brother-in-law by marriage. This relationship eventually ended, though it lasted several years during an important transitional period in Mills' life.
The most enduring post-divorce relationship has been with Indian-American actor Firdous Bamji, whom she met during a tour of "The King & I." Their partnership began in 1997 and has continued for over two decades, with both collaborators appearing together in five film and theater projects. Bamji starred in the 2005 terror thriller "The War Within," marking one of their notable professional collaborations.
Family Background and Heritage
Hayley Mills was born on April 18, 1946, in London, England, to distinguished parents who heavily influenced her career trajectory. Her father, Sir John Mills, became one of Britain's most celebrated actors with a career spanning seven decades, while her mother Mary Hayley Bell was a well-known novelist and playwright whose work included successful stage productions.
- Father: Sir John Mills (English actor, born February 22, 1908, died April 23, 2005)
- Mother: Mary Hayley Bell (novelist and playwright, born 1911)
- Sister: Juliet Mills (actress, born November 21, 1941)
- Brother: Jonathan Mills (producer and writer, born December 3, 1949)
This artistic family environment meant Mills grew up surrounded by prominent figures in British theater and cinema, making her eventual fame almost inevitable. She spent considerable time with her parents' friends, many of whom were industry legends, which contributed to her developing intelligence and worldly perspective from an early age.
Career Context: From Child Star to Mother
Mills' transition from internationally beloved child star to mother occurred during a fascinating period of her life. After achieving massive success in Disney films like "Pollyanna" and "The Parent Trap" during the early 1960s, she gradually shifted toward more mature roles as she aged into her twenties.
The meeting with Roy Boulting while filming "The Family Way" in 1966 represented a turning point, marking her movement away from the innocent teenage image that had made her famous internationally. At just 20 years old, she began a relationship with a man more than three decades her senior, a choice that shocked critics and fans alike but ultimately led to her first marriage and the birth of her first child.
"Many did not approve of this marriage because Roy Boulting was 33 years her senior, nearing the end of a long, successful career making droll British comedies. However, she seemed to be happy during those years together."
This period of her life, spanning from 1966 to 1977, encompassed her only legal marriage and the birth of both her children before and after her separation. The timeline reflects a woman navigating fame, motherhood, and personal relationships during one of the most transformative decades in her life.
Legacy and Current Status
As of 2026, Hayley Mills remains active in the entertainment industry while maintaining a private personal life focused on family. Her relationship with Firdous Bamji has proven remarkably stable compared to her earlier marriages and relationships, lasting nearly 26 years without legal formalization.
Both of her sons have achieved success in their respective fields, with Crispian Mills particularly prominent in the music industry as the frontman of Kula Shaker. The band's psychedelic rock sound and commercial success in the 1990s brought renewed attention to Mills' family legacy in entertainment, proving that artistic talent runs strong through multiple generations.
Mills' career span includes work from 1958 to present, demonstrating her remarkable longevity in an industry known for discarding aging stars. Her decision to focus on family during the 1970s and 1980s did not end her career but rather allowed her to return to work with renewed perspective and maturity that audiences appreciated.
Everything you need to know about Hayley Mills Husbands And Children A Timeline
How many husbands has Hayley Mills had?
Hayley Mills has been married only once, to Roy Boulting from 1971 to 1977. While she has had additional long-term relationships, including with Leigh Lawson and Firdous Bamji, these were not legal marriages.
Does Hayley Mills have children?
Yes, Hayley Mills has two sons: Crispian Mills (born 1973) and Jason Lawson (born 1976). Both children were born during her relationships with their respective fathers, Roy Boulting and Leigh Lawson.
Who is Hayley Mills' current husband?
Hayley Mills does not have a current husband as she is not married. However, she has been in a committed partnership with actor Firdous Bamji since 1997, making their relationship last approximately 26 years as of 2023.
What is Crispian Mills famous for?
Crispian Mills is famous for being the lead singer and guitarist of the psychedelic rock band Kula Shaker, which achieved major success in the 1990s with two platinum albums and several top-10 UK singles including "Tattva" and "Grateful When You're Dead."
Is Hayley Mills still alive?
Yes, Hayley Mills is still alive as of 2026. Born April 18, 1946, she is currently 80 years old and remains active in the entertainment industry.
Where does Hayley Mills live now?
Hayley Mills has maintained connections to both the United Kingdom and the United States throughout her life. She currently divides her time between properties in both countries, with significant time spent in the US where her partner Firdous Bamji is based.
