Jane Fonda has been having the best sex of her life in the last few years.

The 74-year-old star - who has been married three times - says she and her partner Richard Perry, who she first met 40 years ago, have discovered ''true intimacy'' and she is more confident than ever about her desires.

She said: ''When I had my knee replaced just over two and a half years ago, I found a lover. His name is Richard Perry, he is 70 and he is a music producer.

''When I moved in with him I was still using crutches; we haven't been apart since.

''The only thing I have never known is true intimacy with a man. I absolutely wanted to discover that before dying. It has happened with Richard, I feel totally secure with him. Often, when we make love, I see him as he was 30 years ago.

''At 74, I have never had such a fulfilling sex life. When I was young I had so many inhibitions - I didn't know what I desired.''

Jane admits she often changed herself to please the men in her life, but blames her father Henry Fonda for her problems.

She told Britain's HELLO! magazine: ''I was always a courageous woman, capable of confronting governments, but not men. I was a chameleon, the woman men wanted me to be.

''I don't want to make a cheap analysis, but when you have, like I did, a father incapable of showing emotion, who spends his life telling you that one will love you if you aren't perfect, it leaves scars.''