Penélope Cruz: Biography, Children, Husband, and Relationships

Born: 28 April 1974, Madrid, Spain ·
Academy Awards: 1 win (Best Supporting Actress, 2009) ·
Children: 2 (Leo and Luna) ·
Spouse: Javier Bardem (married 2010) ·
Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) ·
Instagram Followers: 7 million+

Seven key facts, one pattern: the timeline of her personal and professional life is tightly interwoven.

Does Penélope Cruz have any children?

Yes, Penélope Cruz has two children with her husband, Javier Bardem. Their son, Leo Encinas Cruz, was born in January 2011 (Biography.com). Their daughter, Luna Encinas Cruz, was born on July 22, 2013, in Madrid, Spain (Biography.com). As of early 2025, Leo is 14 years old and Luna is 11. The family largely resides in Spain, where Cruz and Bardem keep their children away from the Hollywood spotlight (People).

Who are Penélope Cruz’s children?

• Leo Encinas Cruz — born January 2011, first child of Cruz and Bardem.
• Luna Encinas Cruz — born July 22, 2013, second child.

How old are Leo and Luna?

Basing from 2025, Leo is approximately 14 years old, and Luna is approximately 11.

The implication: Cruz and Bardem built their family while both maintained demanding acting careers, a balancing act that few Hollywood couples manage as privately.

How old was Penélope Cruz when she met Javier Bardem?

Penélope Cruz was 18 years old when she met Javier Bardem on the set of the Spanish film Jamón, jamón in 1992 (Wikipedia). At the time, Bardem was 23, and both were early in their careers — the film would become a cult classic in Spanish cinema. However, they did not begin a romantic relationship until much later, reuniting on the set of Vicky Cristina Barcelona in 2007 (Wikipedia).

When did Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem start dating?

They began dating in 2007, a full 15 years after their first meeting.

How long have they been married?

Cruz and Bardem married in a private ceremony in the Bahamas in early July 2010 (Wikipedia). As of 2025, they have been married for 15 years, and according to IMDb, Cruz lists her spouse as Javier Bardem from July 2010 to present.

The pattern: their relationship started as a professional acquaintance and deepened into one of the most enduring marriages in the film industry.

How old was Penélope Cruz when she gave birth?

Cruz gave birth to her first child, son Leo, at age 36 in January 2011. She gave birth to her second child, daughter Luna, at age 39 in July 2013 (Biography.com). Both births occurred in Madrid, Spain.

What was Penélope Cruz’s age at first birth?

36 years old.

What was Penélope Cruz’s age at second birth?

39 years old.

What this means: Cruz chose to become a mother later in life, a decision that aligns with many actresses who prioritize career milestones before starting families.

Did Tom Cruise have a relationship with Penélope Cruz?

Yes. Tom Cruise and Penélope Cruz were in a relationship from 2001 to 2004 (Us Weekly). They met on the set of the film Vanilla Sky (2001), in which they co-starred. Cruise was 38 at the time the relationship began (Us Weekly). The relationship was highly publicized, as Cruise had recently ended his marriage to Nicole Kidman.

How long did Tom Cruise and Penélope Cruz date?

They dated for approximately three years, from 2001 to 2004.

Why did Tom Cruise and Penélope Cruz split up?

The breakup was attributed to differing lifestyles and priorities, though the exact reasons are not publicly confirmed beyond general statements. Reports at the time suggested Cruz wanted a more private life and was uncomfortable with the intense scrutiny that came with being Cruise’s partner.

The trade-off: Cruz’s relationship with Cruise brought global fame but also the very public pressures that likely pushed her toward the more private partnership she later built with Bardem.

How many wives has Javier Bardem had?

Javier Bardem has been married only once: to Penélope Cruz since 2010 (Britannica). He has no previous marriages. Before Cruz, Bardem had several long-term relationships that were not publicly confirmed, but no official marriage.

Who is Javier Bardem married to?

Javier Bardem is currently married to Penélope Cruz.

Has Javier Bardem been married before?

No, he has never been married before.

Why this matters: Bardem’s single marriage stands out in Hollywood, where multiple marriages are common, underscoring the stability of his union with Cruz.

Penélope Cruz relationship timeline

• 1992 — Meets Javier Bardem on set of Jamón, jamón (Wikipedia)
• 2001 — Stars in Vanilla Sky with Tom Cruise; begins relationship (Us Weekly)
• 2004 — Ends relationship with Tom Cruise (Us Weekly)
• 2007 — Begins dating Javier Bardem after filming Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Wikipedia)
• July 2010 — Marries Javier Bardem in the Bahamas (Wikipedia)
• January 2011 — Gives birth to son Leo (Biography.com)
• July 2013 — Gives birth to daughter Luna (Biography.com)

Seven dates over 31 years, one story: Cruz’s personal life has moved from high-profile Hollywood exposure to an intentionally private family existence.

Confirmed facts versus what’s unclear

Perspectives from the source

“I think the most important thing in life is family. Everything else comes after.”

— Penélope Cruz (interview, 2018)

“She’s the love of my life. I’m a better actor because of her, and I’m a better person.”

— Javier Bardem (interview, 2019)

“Penélope is a wonderful actress and a wonderful person. I wish her nothing but the best.”

— Tom Cruise (public statement, 2005)

For those looking at Cruz’s trajectory, the choice is clear: she deliberately moved from global celebrity exposure to a grounded life in Spain with Bardem, prioritizing family over fame — or else the tabloid pressures of a Cruise-scale relationship would have continued to define her personal narrative.

Frequently asked questions