Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem's Relationship Timeline

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage/Getty

Penélope CruzandJavier Bardemhave been married for more than a decade.The couple first met while filming the movieJamón, Jamónin 1992, but they didn’t start dating until another movie,Vicky Cristina Barcelona, brought them together again in 2008.“We met on the wardrobe test, where we looked at each other, and I guess something happened,” Bardem toldGentleman’s Journalof the first time he and Cruz ever crossed paths. “Something that doesn’t have any explanation and goes beyond logic and reasoning.“Throughout their relationship, Bardem and Cruz have kept their life together a private one, giving fans occasional glimpses of their romance. In 2010, they made their first public appearance as a couple at the Goya Awards Gala in Madrid, Spain, and they weremarried later that yearon July 13, 2010.Bardem and Cruz became parents for the first time in January 2011, when their son,Leo Encinas Cruz, was born. Two years later, the pair welcomed a daughter,Luna Encinas Cruz, in July 2013. Since then, they have continued to be each other’s cheerleaders on the red carpet, and have appeared in even more movies together, includingThe CounselorandEverybody Knows.From filming their first movie together to raising their children, here is a complete timeline of Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem’s relationship.

Penélope CruzandJavier Bardemhave been married for more than a decade.

The couple first met while filming the movieJamón, Jamónin 1992, but they didn’t start dating until another movie,Vicky Cristina Barcelona, brought them together again in 2008.

“We met on the wardrobe test, where we looked at each other, and I guess something happened,” Bardem toldGentleman’s Journalof the first time he and Cruz ever crossed paths. “Something that doesn’t have any explanation and goes beyond logic and reasoning.”

Throughout their relationship, Bardem and Cruz have kept their life together a private one, giving fans occasional glimpses of their romance. In 2010, they made their first public appearance as a couple at the Goya Awards Gala in Madrid, Spain, and they weremarried later that yearon July 13, 2010.

Bardem and Cruz became parents for the first time in January 2011, when their son,Leo Encinas Cruz, was born. Two years later, the pair welcomed a daughter,Luna Encinas Cruz, in July 2013. Since then, they have continued to be each other’s cheerleaders on the red carpet, and have appeared in even more movies together, includingThe CounselorandEverybody Knows.

From filming their first movie together to raising their children, here is a complete timeline of Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem’s relationship.

01of 181992: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem meet filming ‘Jamón, Jamón’Everett CollectionPenélope CruzandJavier Bardemfirst met while filmingJamón, Jamónin 1992, which marked one of theAcademy Award-winning actress’ first films. At the time, Cruz was 16 and Bardem was 23.Bardem toldGQthat there was “obvious chemistry” between him and Cruz, but “nothing happened” offscreen as Cruz was underage at the time. Their real-life relationship didn’t develop until years later when they reconnected on another project.

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1992: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem meet filming ‘Jamón, Jamón’

Everett Collection

Penélope CruzandJavier Bardemfirst met while filmingJamón, Jamónin 1992, which marked one of theAcademy Award-winning actress' first films. At the time, Cruz was 16 and Bardem was 23.

Bardem toldGQthat there was “obvious chemistry” between him and Cruz, but “nothing happened” offscreen as Cruz was underage at the time. Their real-life relationship didn’t develop until years later when they reconnected on another project.

02of 182008: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem reunite in ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’Courtesy Everett CollectionCruz and Bardem officially started dating after they reunited on the set of the 2008 romantic comedyVicky Cristina Barcelona.

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2008: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem reunite in ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’

Courtesy Everett Collection

Cruz and Bardem officially started dating after they reunited on the set of the 2008 romantic comedyVicky Cristina Barcelona.

03of 18February 14, 2010: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem appear in public together for the first time as a coupleCarlos Alvarez/Getty ImagesCruz and Bardem made their first official public appearance together at the 2010 Goya Awards Gala in Madrid, Spain, where Cruz was nominated for the best actress award for her role in Broken Embraces.

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February 14, 2010: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem appear in public together for the first time as a couple

Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images

Cruz and Bardem made their first official public appearance together at the 2010 Goya Awards Gala in Madrid, Spain, where Cruz was nominated for the best actress award for her role in Broken Embraces.

04of 18July 13, 2010: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem get marriedThe couple headed to the Bahamas to exchange vows in an intimate ceremony at the home of a friend. Previously, the couple were reticent to confirm their engagement,despite rumorssuggesting they had.

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July 13, 2010: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem get married

The couple headed to the Bahamas to exchange vows in an intimate ceremony at the home of a friend. Previously, the couple were reticent to confirm their engagement,despite rumorssuggesting they had.

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January 2011: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem welcome their first child

06of 18April 3, 2011: Javier Bardem supports Penélope Cruz at Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonySteve Granitz/WireImageCruz made history in April 2011 asthe first Spanish actress to receive a staron theHollywood Walk of Fame, and Bardem was there to support her at the ceremony.“Every time I look at that star, I will see the names of all the people that have helped me make many of my dreams a reality,” Cruz said during her speech.

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April 3, 2011: Javier Bardem supports Penélope Cruz at Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony

Steve Granitz/WireImage

Cruz made history in April 2011 asthe first Spanish actress to receive a staron theHollywood Walk of Fame, and Bardem was there to support her at the ceremony.

“Every time I look at that star, I will see the names of all the people that have helped me make many of my dreams a reality,” Cruz said during her speech.

07of 18July 22, 2013: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem welcome a daughterCruz and Bardem greeted daughter Luna Encinas Cruz into the world on July 22 2013, in Madrid.When news of her pregnancy broke in January 2013 the actressconfirmedthrough a rep that she was “tremendously happy and very excited.”

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July 22, 2013: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem welcome a daughter

Cruz and Bardem greeted daughter Luna Encinas Cruz into the world on July 22 2013, in Madrid.

When news of her pregnancy broke in January 2013 the actressconfirmedthrough a rep that she was “tremendously happy and very excited.”

08of 182017: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem costar in ‘Loving Pablo’Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage/GettyCruz and Bardem brought their real-life love to the silver screen once again when they costarred in the 2017 biopicLoving Pablo. The two walked the red carpet at the film’s screening during the 74th Venice Film Festival.

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2017: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem costar in ‘Loving Pablo’

Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage/Getty

Cruz and Bardem brought their real-life love to the silver screen once again when they costarred in the 2017 biopicLoving Pablo. The two walked the red carpet at the film’s screening during the 74th Venice Film Festival.

09of 18May 26, 2017: Javier Bardem takes his and Penélope Cruz’s kids to watch him on setWhile filming ofPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Talesin Australia, Bardem hosted his wife and kids on set.“That’s one of the reasons why you do it,” Bardem toldPEOPLEabout accepting the role of Captain Salazar. “To be on a real boat and see the cannons and see the people dressed like pirates. That was like a Disney ride for them.”

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May 26, 2017: Javier Bardem takes his and Penélope Cruz’s kids to watch him on set

While filming ofPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Talesin Australia, Bardem hosted his wife and kids on set.

“That’s one of the reasons why you do it,” Bardem toldPEOPLEabout accepting the role of Captain Salazar. “To be on a real boat and see the cannons and see the people dressed like pirates. That was like a Disney ride for them.”

10of 18September 2017: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem ham it up on the red carpetJuan Naharro Gimenez/WireImage/Getty ImagesCruz and Bardem kept the appearances going as they promoted their filmLoving Pabloduring the 65thSan Sebastian Film Festivalat the end of September 2017. Cruz stunned in a sparkly beige gown, while Bardem donned a dark suit and a polka-dot tie.

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September 2017: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem ham it up on the red carpet

Juan Naharro Gimenez/WireImage/Getty Images

Cruz and Bardem kept the appearances going as they promoted their filmLoving Pabloduring the 65thSan Sebastian Film Festivalat the end of September 2017. Cruz stunned in a sparkly beige gown, while Bardem donned a dark suit and a polka-dot tie.

11of 182018: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem costar again in ‘Everybody Knows’Courtesy Everett CollectionThe couple collaborated again the following year when they costarred in 2018’s Spanish-language thriller-drama filmEverybody Knows.Cruz admitted that both actors received equal pay for their roles in the film. She also brieflyelaboratedon their process for working together. “We don’t take the characters home at the end of the day,” she said. “We have similar ways of work. The fact that we know each other and trust each other helps.”

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2018: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem costar again in ‘Everybody Knows’

The couple collaborated again the following year when they costarred in 2018’s Spanish-language thriller-drama filmEverybody Knows.

Cruz admitted that both actors received equal pay for their roles in the film. She also brieflyelaboratedon their process for working together. “We don’t take the characters home at the end of the day,” she said. “We have similar ways of work. The fact that we know each other and trust each other helps.”

12of 18May 2018: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem walk the red carpet at the 71st Cannes Film FestivalVenturelli/WireImage/GettyCruz and Bardem posed on the red carpet for theEverybody Knowsscreeningat the 71st Annual Cannes Film Festival in 2018.The actress toldVarietyon the carpet that while working alongside her husband has it’s advantages, it’s not a gig they actively seek out. “It’s not something we plan on doing every two years,” she said. “That will be once in a while, if we feel it’s right. I don’t think it will be too often.”

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May 2018: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem walk the red carpet at the 71st Cannes Film Festival

Venturelli/WireImage/Getty

Cruz and Bardem posed on the red carpet for theEverybody Knowsscreeningat the 71st Annual Cannes Film Festival in 2018.

The actress toldVarietyon the carpet that while working alongside her husband has it’s advantages, it’s not a gig they actively seek out. “It’s not something we plan on doing every two years,” she said. “That will be once in a while, if we feel it’s right. I don’t think it will be too often.”

13of 18March 2, 2018: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem attend the 2018 César Film AwardsFrancois Durand/Getty ImagesThe movie star couple stepped out at the 2018César Film Awards, both putting their fashion foot forward.Cruz was clad in a royal blue strapless gown, while Bardem donned a dapper white jacket finished with a black bowtie and trousers.

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March 2, 2018: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem attend the 2018 César Film Awards

Francois Durand/Getty Images

The movie star couple stepped out at the 2018César Film Awards, both putting their fashion foot forward.

Cruz was clad in a royal blue strapless gown, while Bardem donned a dapper white jacket finished with a black bowtie and trousers.

14of 18September 2021: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem share a passionate kiss in publicAlessandra Benedetti/Corbis/Getty ImagesPrior to winning the Coppa Volpi for best actress for the movieParallel Mothers, Cruz shared a kiss with her husband during the closing ceremony of the 78th Venice International Film Festival in September 2021.Cruz was also nominatedfor Best Actress at the 2022 Academy Awards for her role in the Spanish film.

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September 2021: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem share a passionate kiss in public

Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis/Getty Images

Prior to winning the Coppa Volpi for best actress for the movieParallel Mothers, Cruz shared a kiss with her husband during the closing ceremony of the 78th Venice International Film Festival in September 2021.

Cruz was also nominatedfor Best Actress at the 2022 Academy Awards for her role in the Spanish film.

15of 18December 2021: Penélope Cruz opens up about protecting privacy of her and Javier Bardem’s childrenCruz opened up that she’s careful how much she shares about her and Bardem’s children on social media to protect their privacy.“There is something that is not making sense and it’s especially affecting younger generations,” shesaid. “I feel really bad for the ones that are teenagers now. It’s almost [as] if the world was doing some kind of experiment on them. ‘Oh, let’s see what happens if you expose a 12-year-old to that much technology.’ “She described her style as “very tough” when it comes to setting limits on technology for her children.

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December 2021: Penélope Cruz opens up about protecting privacy of her and Javier Bardem’s children

Cruz opened up that she’s careful how much she shares about her and Bardem’s children on social media to protect their privacy.

“There is something that is not making sense and it’s especially affecting younger generations,” shesaid. “I feel really bad for the ones that are teenagers now. It’s almost [as] if the world was doing some kind of experiment on them. ‘Oh, let’s see what happens if you expose a 12-year-old to that much technology.’ "

She described her style as “very tough” when it comes to setting limits on technology for her children.

16of 18March 27, 2022: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem snag his and hers Oscar nominationsMomodu Mansaray/WireImage/GettyCruz and Bardem became part of a handful of couples in whichboth partners were nominatedfor an Oscar in 2022. WhileCruz received a nominationfor her role inParallel Mothers, Bardem earned a nod for Best Actor for his performance inBeing the Ricardos.“It makes it very special,” Bardem said of thetandem nominationswhile appearing onPEOPLE&Entertainment Weekly’s red carpet specialahead of theSAG Awards. “I mean, the fact that we are both nominated … in the same year, it’s something that is really unique.”

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March 27, 2022: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem snag his and hers Oscar nominations

Momodu Mansaray/WireImage/Getty

Cruz and Bardem became part of a handful of couples in whichboth partners were nominatedfor an Oscar in 2022. WhileCruz received a nominationfor her role inParallel Mothers, Bardem earned a nod for Best Actor for his performance inBeing the Ricardos.

“It makes it very special,” Bardem said of thetandem nominationswhile appearing onPEOPLE&Entertainment Weekly’s red carpet specialahead of theSAG Awards. “I mean, the fact that we are both nominated … in the same year, it’s something that is really unique.”

17of 18March 27, 2022: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem attend the 2022 OscarsJeff Kravitz/FilmMagicTheOscar-nominated power couplestopped for pictureson the red carpet at the94th Academy Awardson March 27, 2022. Cruz and Bardem gazed at each other as they posed hand-in-hand ahead of the ceremony.Although both nominated in their respective Best Actor categories, Cruzlost toJessica Chastainfor her role inThe Eyes of Tammy Fayeand Bardemlost to Will Smithfor his role inKing Richard.

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March 27, 2022: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem attend the 2022 Oscars

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

TheOscar-nominated power couplestopped for pictureson the red carpet at the94th Academy Awardson March 27, 2022. Cruz and Bardem gazed at each other as they posed hand-in-hand ahead of the ceremony.

Although both nominated in their respective Best Actor categories, Cruzlost toJessica Chastainfor her role inThe Eyes of Tammy Fayeand Bardemlost to Will Smithfor his role inKing Richard.

18of 18October 22, 2024: Javier Bardem shares why he and Penélope Cruz decided to date years after their first meetingDuring an October 2024 interview withGentleman’s Journal,Bardem explained that when he and Cruz first met on the set ofJamón Jamón,their age difference meant that they “had different lives, different objectives, aims and goals.” Despite that, when they crossed paths again years later on the set ofVicky Cristina Barcelona, the chemistry was still there.“But it happened that we were both single at that moment, so naturally what had to happen happened — two people reconnected because they shared tons of things, way more than they expected,” he said.“But we also shared that we met each other and knew each other before all of the noise, before success and before anybody saw us with different eyes because of who we now were, what we had become,” Bardem continued. “And that’s an important base, to rely on someone because you know them for real, and they know you for real. You see me, I see you. That’s important.”

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October 22, 2024: Javier Bardem shares why he and Penélope Cruz decided to date years after their first meeting

During an October 2024 interview withGentleman’s Journal,Bardem explained that when he and Cruz first met on the set ofJamón Jamón,their age difference meant that they “had different lives, different objectives, aims and goals.” Despite that, when they crossed paths again years later on the set ofVicky Cristina Barcelona, the chemistry was still there.

“But it happened that we were both single at that moment, so naturally what had to happen happened — two people reconnected because they shared tons of things, way more than they expected,” he said.

“But we also shared that we met each other and knew each other before all of the noise, before success and before anybody saw us with different eyes because of who we now were, what we had become,” Bardem continued. “And that’s an important base, to rely on someone because you know them for real, and they know you for real. You see me, I see you. That’s important.”

source: people.com