Meet Leo and Luna: A Closer Look at Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem’s Family Life

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Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem are committed to maintaining the privacy of their two children amid their high-profile careers in Hollywood. The couple, married since 2010, are parents to son Leo, 15, and daughter Luna, 12.

In a February 2019 interview with Marie Claire, Cruz expressed her long-held desire to become a mother, stating, “When I was 4 or 5, I was already performing, and the characters in my games were always mothers. I really wanted to be a mother, for as long as I can remember.” However, she emphasized that she chose to become a parent when it felt right for her, both in terms of timing and partnership.

Cruz described motherhood as “the thing that has made me happiest,” despite being “surprised” by various challenges.

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During a May 2017 interview, Bardem discussed how Leo and Luna perceive their parents’ careers, noting, “They know that we do movies, but I don’t think they know what that means or what it is all about.” He emphasized that their home environment does not reflect their profession, stating, “We really don’t care about that.”

Despite the demands of his acting career, Bardem underscored the importance of being present for his children: “Now today I have two kids, and we are more aware of how important it is to be present,” he remarked in a November 2024 interview. “Sometimes we are way too present in their lives.”

Here’s a closer look at Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem’s children:

### Leo Encinas Cruz, 15

Cruz and Bardem welcomed their first child, Leo Encinas Cruz, on January 22, 2011, in Los Angeles. The couple’s representatives confirmed at the time, “Penélope and Javier welcomed their first son into their family last week. Both parents and baby are doing great.”

Bardem broke the news of Cruz’s pregnancy during a September 2010 interview, expressing his happiness: “I am very happy.” In a May 2011 interview with Vogue, Cruz reflected on the transformative experience of motherhood: “From the first second, you feel so much love.” She described it as a “revolutionary experience” that transforms one completely.

Cruz has consistently reiterated her desire to maintain her children’s privacy, sharing, “I want my son—and my kids if I have more—to grow up in a way that is as anonymous as possible.”

Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz at the Academy Awards on February 27, 2011 in Hollywood, California.
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Despite her busy schedule, Cruz has prioritized being a hands-on mother. In a July 2017 interview with The Telegraph, she stated, “My priorities have really changed over the years. I want to raise my kids and I don’t want to be away from them.”

Bardem echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of quality time with their children: “Time is everything, time is quality. Especially for kids.”

Maintaining their children’s privacy from social media is a conscious effort by the couple. Cruz firmly stated, “You will never see a picture of my kids on Instagram.”

### Luna Encinas Cruz, 12

Cruz and Bardem’s second child, Luna Encinas Cruz, was born on July 22, 2013, in Madrid. In a December 2013 interview with Allure, Cruz shared her postpartum routine and her choice to breastfeed, saying, “I was breastfeeding my son for 13 months, and I plan to do the same with my daughter.”

In a November 2021 interview with Vogue Arabia, she expressed her commitment to being a good role model for her children: “I don’t think of myself as a role model for anyone other than my children… the actions of their mother and father are the most important to them.”

Cruz also recounted a touching moment with Luna regarding her recognition at the Venice Film Festival, explaining, “My daughter was with me and said, ‘Mom, why are you crying if you are getting a prize?'”

When Bardem was cast as King Triton in Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, Luna’s emotional response reinforced their close family bond. He shared, “My daughter got so emotional… that is one of the reasons why I did [The Little Mermaid].”

As the high-profile couple continues to navigate their careers, their deep commitment to family and maintaining a sense of normalcy for their children remains paramount.