A glamorous assassin (in the movies) turned mom, Rachel Grant, is a British Royal, but you’d never know it, her kindness and humility rule. An intrepid adventurer who has mastered the art of traveling light and earned one hundred million views for her viral videos, she believes in preserving our natural heritage and instilling the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability in our children.
Although loyal Bond fans worldwide love Rachel Grant for her role as a “Bond girl,” the truth is she was not arm candy for Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day. Despite her character’s serene name, Peaceful Fountains of Desire, Rachel played a sexy assassin, lethal and glamorous. That was in 2002; today, the role she cherishes above all is far more approachable; it’s simply being a mom for the first time. Her heart belongs to her three-year-old daughter, Maya.
A GLOBAL REACH
Rachel has appeared on Bravo, Hallmark, Good Morning America, and the BBC; however, it is her Bond connection that empowers her to have influence in this world. An auction of her autographed Bond pictures gave her the funds to provide children in the Philippines with food and shelter—a school that doubles as a typhoon shelter. That is only one example of how her star power brings about change. Humbled by the love of her fans, Rachel explains, “So much time has passed since I played Peaceful, yet I feel more connected to the Bond community now than ever before. Seeing my passion for my character remains strong after all these years is remarkable.”
Rachel was born on the island of Luzon in the Philippines to Michael Grant, 12th Baron de Longueuil (the grandson of the 11th Baron of Longueuil, second cousin to Queen Elizabeth II, yes that makes her fourth cousin to Royal Renegades Megan and Harry) and Isabel Padua, a Filipino costume designer. Raised in Nottingham, England, Rachel is of Scottish, French-Canadian, and Filipino descent. She lives in New York now with her daughter and husband, Shark Tank entrepreneur and CEO of Biaggi Luggage, Stephen Hersh, whom she married in Jerusalem in 2019. It’s apparent then that travel is in her blood.
FINDING SOMETHING SPECIAL
“My passion for travel began in childhood, as I was fortunate to have parents from diverse backgrounds—England and the Philippines. Regular visits to see my maternal grandparents in the Philippines sparked my curiosity about the world,” Rachel shares. “I hope to pass on this love for travel to my daughter, who’s just turned three, yet she’s accompanied me on adventures to 12 countries across three continents. I don’t have a favorite country—each place offers something special. We frequently visit the Philippines, France, and England, where we have family connections and deep roots. One can never visit a country too often without gaining fresh insights and experiences.”
Rachel’s video How to Pack Over 100 Items into a Carry-On went viral, receiving one hundred million views and bringing her a new set of global fans. “Mastering the art of packing begins with traveling light,” says Rachel, speaking from experience. “I believe that everyone should aim to travel with a carry-on. Not only does it streamline the airport experience, eliminating the need for check-in lines and baggage claim waits, but it also saves on check-in fees. Plus, traveling with fewer belongings allows you to detach from your daily routine, enhancing your overall experience at the destination.”
Inspired by her travels and the crafting skills she learned from her mother, whose talent for design and creation she inherited, Rachel has designed more than twenty travel bags, received two awards, and holds one patent. Her focus for Biaggi Luggage has been on expandable bags, particularly totes and under-seat bags that transform into carry-ons, maximizing functionality for travelers. “It is,” she says, “rewarding to see my designs inspire others in the industry and contribute to the evolution of travel accessories.”
PRESERVING A HERITAGE
Being remarkably intrepid during a trip to the Philippines, she ventured into the Angel Cave in Bani after she stumbled upon the cave entrance while overseeing the construction of a school in the area. Intrigued by its mystery, she entered the cave spontaneously, mesmerized by the pristine underground chambers and a flowing river system. Sharing her photos on social media, the response was overwhelming, particularly from proud Filipinos who admired the beauty of their country’s natural wonders.
Always a conscientious traveler, Rachel realized the potential risks of unregulated visitation to the cave, so she involved the proper authorities to ensure the cave’s conservation. “Reflecting on this journey,” she reveals, “I feel relieved and gratified by the positive outcome, even though it wasn’t initially planned. It’s a testament to the power of community action and the importance of preserving our natural heritage for future generations.”
Though she may have played a villain in her Bond role, Rachel Grant is a hero in the Philippines, where she has helped fund food supply programs for children, raise money for gifted kids to receive a college education, and ensure that communities/children in need receive regular shipments of toys, books, shoes, and clothes. Steadfastly committed to nurturing a world for her daughter Maya where she can thrive and make empowered choices, Rachel wants us to remember, as we face current global challenges, that “it is crucial to instill values of environmental stewardship and sustainability in our children. Let’s assure young women the opportunity to pursue their dreams and aspirations without discrimination or barriers.”
For more information on Rachel Grant, follow her on Instagram.com/missrachelgrant