Penélope Cruz Wiki, Height, Age, Family, Husband, Net Worth and Career

Penélope Cruz is a renowned Spanish actress, dancer, and model who has won an Academy Award. She is recognized for her exceptional talent, elegance, versatility, beauty, and remarkable performances in popular films. Cruz began her acting career on television at the age of 16. In addition to acting, she studied dance and theatre in New York. She is fluent in several languages, including Spanish, English, Italian, and French.

Cruz has shared the screen with notable actors like Matt Damon and Tom Cruise. Beyond her film achievements, this Spanish star is also praised for her charitable work. Recently, she featured in the Italian film “Ferrari” as Laura Ferrari. Her breakout role occurred in the 1992 Spanish movie Jamón Jamón, directed by Bigas Luna. This performance highlighted her skills and charm, setting her on the path to becoming a rising star in the Spanish film industry.

Who is Penélope Cruz?

Penélope Cruz Spanish actress has gained recognition for her roles in films such as Open Your Eyes, The Girl of Your Dreams, Vanilla Sky, and Blow, showcasing an exceptional fusion of charm, depth, and innate ability. Her upbringing was filled with dramatic performances and reenactments that ignited her early interest in acting. As the eldest child of Encarna Sánchez, a hair stylist, and Eduardo Cruz, who worked as a retailer and auto mechanic, Penelope’s life was anything but typical.

Penélope Cruz Wikipedia/Bio

Penélope Cruz Sánchez was born on April 28, 1974, in Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain. As a child, she spent her early years at her grandmother’s residence, where she enjoyed mimicking advertisements and various actresses, much to the delight of her peers. Cruz dedicated herself to dancing, studying classical ballet for nine years in Madrid.

She achieved a historic milestone as the first Spanish actress to secure an Academy Award for her exceptional portrayal in Vicky Christina Barcelona (2008). Cruz debuted in film with the dark movie Jamón Jamón in 1992, though its release was postponed for a year, eventually hitting theaters in 1993. She later played Luz in The Age of Beauty (1992), a film that won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

Her initial role in an English-language film was in Talk of Angels (1998). She later collaborated with prominent actors such as Scarlett Johansson, Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, and many others.

Name	Penélope Cruz
Profession	Actress
Nationality	Spanish
Years Active	1989 – Present
Net Worth (approx.)	$500K USD
Personal Life
Date of Birth	28 April 1974
Age	51 Years Old
Birthplace	Municipality of Alcobendas, Spain
Zodiac Sign	Virgo
Gender	Female
Hometown	Municipality of Alcobendas, Spain
Hobbies/Habits	Selfie Lover, Photography, Nature Lover
Favorite Brands	Levi’s, Gap, Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein
Food Habit	Non-Vegetarian
Debut & Awards
Debut	In 1989 – As an Actress
Awards	None

Penélope Cruz Age

Penélope Cruz was born on 28 April 1974 in Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain. She is 51 years old as of 2025. Cruz’s Zodiac Sign is Taurus. Her Ethnicity is Hispanic. Her Nationality is Spanish.

Penélope Cruz Zodiac Sign

Penélope Cruz’s Zodiac sign is Taurus, which accounts for her innate skill in captivating audiences with her performances. Those born under this sign are typically diligent, extraordinarily artistic, determined, and imaginative. They tend to be natural leaders and often attain prominent roles in their careers. Notable individuals sharing this zodiac include Carlos Alcaraz, Gigi Hadid, and Pat Cummins.

Penélope Cruz Height and Weight

Penelope Cruz’s height is 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) and her weight is 62 kg (137 lbs). Her bra size is 40C. Her body measurement is 35-27-35 inches. She has dark brown hair and dark brown eyes.

Height	5 ft 6 in
Weight	62 Kg
Eye Color	Brown
Hair Color	Brown
Figure Size	35-27-35 inches
Dress Size	35 (EU)
Shoe (Feet) Size	7
Distinctive Features	Smile & Confidence

Penélope Cruz Early Life and Education

Penélope Cruz Sánchez was born on April 28, 1974, in Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain. Her mother, Encarna, was a hairdresser, and her father, Eduardo, a mechanic who passed away in 2015. Penélope has two younger siblings, Mónica and Eduardo, as well as a much younger half-sister, Salma, from her father’s union with Carmen Moreno. Mónica Cruz pursued a path in acting, while Eduardo became a musician.

Cruz grew up in a Roman Catholic environment, dedicating nine years to ballet lessons at Spain’s National Conservatory. Additionally, she spent four years studying drama at Cristina Rota’s school in New York City. Inspired by Pedro Almodóvar’s 1990 film “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!”, she decided to follow a career in acting.

She faced rejection during auditions for agent Katrina Bayonas because of her youth, but eventually, Bayonas took her on. At 15, Cruz outperformed 300 other candidates to secure a spot with a talent agency, subsequently appearing as a dancer in music videos, starting with Mecano’s “La Fuerza del Destino” in 1989.

School	Escuela de Interpretación de Cristina
College	Madrid Royal Conservatory
Qualification	Graduate

Penélope Cruz Personal Life

Between mid-2001 and early 2004, Penélope had a romantic relationship with her “Vanilla Sky” co-star Tom Cruise. Penélope married actor Javier Bardem in July 2010. Their paths first crossed on the set of “Jamón, Jamón” when Cruz was just 18, though they did not start dating until 2007. The pair welcomed a son in January 2011 and a daughter in July 2013.

Their son was born in Los Angeles, while their daughter was delivered in Madrid. In 2004, Penélope launched a clothing boutique named Amarcord in Madrid. Three years later, she collaborated with her sister Monica to create a fashion line for Mango, a well-known Spanish retail brand.

Cruz has volunteered in Uganda and India, where she assisted Mother Teresa at a leprosy clinic. She contributed her earnings from “The Hi-Lo Country” to Mother Teresa’s children’s home. After filming the 2000 movie “All the Pretty Horses,” Cruz adopted a vegetarian lifestyle and participated in PETA’s anti-fur advertisements in 2012 and 2018.

Penélope Cruz Parents and Siblings

Cruz Sanchez is the eldest of three children her father, Eduardo Cruz, worked as a car mechanic, and her mother, Encarna Sanchez, was a hairdresser. She has a sister named Monica, who is also an actress, and a brother named Eduardo, who is a musician in Spain. Despite Penelope not coming from an artistic family, all members have found their niche in the creative field. Her father passed away from a heart attack in 2015 in Spain.

Father	Eduardo Cruz
Mother	Encarna Sanchez
Brothers	None
Sisters	Monica Cruz, Salma Cruz Moreno

Penélope Cruz Husband and Marriage

Penelope Cruz is united in marriage with Spanish actor Javier Bardem, her co-star from Vicky Cristina Barcelona. They began their romantic relationship in 2007 during filming and tied the knot in the Bahamas in 2010. Together, they have two children: Luna Encinas Cruz, born in Madrid in 2013, and Leo Encinas Cruz, their son, born in Los Angeles in 2011. Penelope is quite protective of her children and enforces a no-cellphone rule at home to keep them out of the limelight.

Marital Status	Married  (July, 2010)
Husband	Javier Bardem (Actor Spanish)
Daughters	Luna Encinas Cruz
Sons	Leo Encinas Cruz
Boyfriends/ Affairs	Nacho Cano (1991 – 1998) Gigi Sarasola (1998) Thomas Obermaier (1998 – 2000) Tom Cruise (Actor, 2001 – 2004) Matthew McConaughey (Actor, 2005 – 2006) Matt Damon (Actor, 2000, Rumored) Josh Hartnett (Actor, 2007, Rumored)

Who is Penélope Cruz’s husband?

Penélope Cruz has been wed to Spanish actor Javier Bardem since 2010. Their relationship has garnered attention due to their prominent positions in the film industry.

Does Penélope Cruz have children?

Penélope Cruz and her spouse Javier Bardem are the proud parents of two kids: a son named Leo and a daughter named Luna. The pair has actively worked to shield their children from the spotlight.

Favorites

Favorite Colors	Red Green Black
Favorite Actor	Brad Pitt
Favorite Actress	Meryl Streep Julia Roberts
Favorite Movie	Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!
Favorite Food	Spanish Food
Favorite Music	BissetChopin
Favorite Music Band	U2 (Irish Rock Band)
Favorite Sports	Football Rugby
Favorite Team	Real Madrid

Penélope Cruz Career

Penélope Cruz started her acting journey in the Spanish television sector before moving to film. Her initial appearances in productions like The Greek Labyrinth and Jamón Jamón set the stage for her rising fame in Spain. Her international breakout occurred with Vanilla Sky, where she acted alongside Tom Cruise. Cruz’s partnership with director Pedro Almodóvar has been pivotal in her career trajectory.

Movies such as Volver, Broken Embraces, and Parallel Mothers have received outstanding reviews, with Volver earning her a Best Actress nomination at the Oscars. Outside of Spanish cinema, Cruz has been part of major Hollywood films, including Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Murder on the Orient Express. Her talent in smoothly transitioning between Spanish and English films has solidified her status as a worldwide icon.

Early work and Breakthrough

Cruz made a striking entry into film in 1992 with Jamón Jamón, portraying the central character Silvia. Her bold performance resulted in instant fame, transforming her into a sex symbol almost overnight. That same year, she also featured in the Oscar-winning film Belle Époque, where she beautifully represented the character of the innocent Luz.

Her performances caught the eye of celebrated director Pedro Almodóvar, which landed her a lead role in his 1997 movie Carne Tremula. Although several of her later films were unsuccessful at the box office, Cruz’s determination ultimately led to her achievement in Cameron Crowe’s Vanilla Sky, a 2001 blockbuster that signified her initial success in the American film market.

1998–2000: Early American Film Appearances

In 1998, Cruz took part in her debut American film, portraying Billy Crudup’s consolation prize Mexican girlfriend in the western The Hi-Lo Country directed by Stephen Frears. During the production of The Hi-Lo Country, Cruz expressed that she struggled to comprehend English speakers. The film did not achieve success either critically or at the box office.

In his assessment for the Film Journal International, Kevin Lally remarked that “in a surprising casting outcome, the Spanish actress Penélope is significantly more engaging as Josepha [compared to her earlier roles].” Her performance earned her a nomination for an ALMA Award for Best Actress.

Cruz featured in Don Juan and the Spanish historical drama The Girl of Your Dreams. Within The Girl of Your Dreams (La niña de tus ojos), Cruz played Macarena Granada, a vocalist entangled in a tumultuous relationship with Blas, portrayed by Antonio Resines. They are members of a Franco-era film crew that relocates from Spain to Nazi Germany during the Spanish Civil War for a collaborative project with UFA.

Critics lauded Cruz’s portrayal, with Jonathan Holloland from Variety stating, “if any confirmation is needed that Cruz is an actress first and merely attractive second, here it is.” A Film4 writer noted that “Cruz herself is the unavoidable highlight of the film,” while also commenting that the film “has a visually stunning appeal.” Cruz’s character of Macarena is recognized as her “most substantial role to date.”

For her work, she garnered a Goya Award and a Spanish Actors’ Union Award, in addition to a nomination for a European Film Award. In 1999, Cruz once again collaborated with Almodóvar in All About My Mother, where she enacted the role of Sister María Rosa Sanz, a pregnant nun afflicted with AIDS. The film was well-received critically, and it achieved significant box office success, earning over $67 million globally, although it outperformed internationally compared to domestic earnings.

In 2000, she starred in Woman on Top as Isabelle, a renowned chef who has dealt with motion sickness since birth, marking her first major role in an American film. Lisa Nesselson from Variety praised the performances of Cruz and her co-star Harold Perrineau, stating that they “radiate from the screen,” and noted Cruz’s delightful accent.

Jane Crowther, a film critic for BBC News, remarked that “Cruz is delightfully scatterbrained as the unsuspecting foreigner,” but pointed out that “it’s Harold Perrineau Jr as Monica who steals the film.” Annlee Ellingson from Box Office magazine stated, “Cruz delivers a breathtaking performance innocent and delicate, yet embodying a mature elegance and resolute strength, all while exuding natural sensuality.”

Also in 2000, she portrayed Alejandra Villarreal, the love interest of Matt Damon in Billy Bob Thornton’s adaptation of the bestselling western novel All the Pretty Horses. Susan Stark from The Detroit News noted that Thornton succeeded in directing Damon, Henry Thomas, and Cruz to “their most remarkable performances in a major film thus far.”

Hollywood Success

At the age of 25, Penelope took a significant leap and moved to Hollywood, California. She portrayed a talented chef in Woman on Top (2000). The following year, Cruz starred as the romantic lead in All the Pretty Horses. Both movies found considerable success. In 2001, she was cast alongside Tom Cruise in the American version of Vanilla Sky (2001). This film propelled her to immediate stardom, and her involvement with Cruise attracted the attention of American tabloids.

She also acted alongside Johnny Depp in Blow and later appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean. In Sex in the City 2, Penelope played the role of a banker. In 2015, she featured in the Spanish film MaMa. That same year, she took on the persona of a secret agent in the comedies Zoolander 2 and Grimsby. Cruz portrayed fashion legend Donatella Versace in the American crime drama series, The Assassination of Gianni Versace in 2018. In 2023, she starred in a leading role in “Ferrari”.

Penelope Cruz Movies and TV Career:

From 1990 to 1991, Penelope Cruz served as the host of the talk show “La Quinta Marcha” on Spain’s Telecinco channel. In 1991, she made a guest appearance on the French television series “Série rose.” Penélope marked her film debut in 1992’s “Jamón, Jamón,” earning a nomination for Best Actress at the Goya Awards.

Since starting her career, Cruz has featured in over 80 films, with her early roles including 1992’s “Belle Époque,” 1993’s “For Love, Only for Love,” “The Greek Labyrinth,” and “The Rebel,” as well as 1994’s “Alegre ma non troppo” and “Todo es mentira.” Cruz’s introduction to American cinema came with the 1998 film “The Hi-Lo Country,” which garnered her a nomination for Best Actress at the ALMA Awards.

She went on to star in “Don Juan” (1998), “All the Pretty Horses” (2000), and “Woman on Top” (2000). In 2001, Penelope appeared alongside Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz in “Vanilla Sky,” which amassed over $200 million at the box office; this film, directed by Cameron Crowe, is the American adaptation of “Open Your Eyes,” a Spanish movie in which Penélope had starred four years prior.

In 2011, Penelope featured in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” which is among the highest-grossing films ever, pulling in $1.046 billion globally. She portrayed a mother fighting breast cancer in the 2015 film “Ma Ma” (a project she also co-produced) and played secret agent Valentina Valencia in 2016’s “Zoolander 2.” Her filmography from that year also includes “Grimsby” (2016), “The Queen of Spain” (2016), “Loving Pablo” (2016), and “Murder on the Orient Express” (2017).

In 2018, Penelope co-starred with Darren Criss, Édgar Ramírez, and Ricky Martin in the Ryan Murphy series “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” which earned a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Limited Series. Penélope is scheduled to appear in the spy thriller “The 355” and the Spanish comedy “Official Competition.”

Filmography

From her memorable portrayals as a devoted mother and spouse to her performances in action thrillers, her work ranges from captivating to profound. Her ability to transition effortlessly between diverse characters and enchanting roles mesmerizes viewers with her remarkable skill. Let’s explore the films in which Cruz has been involved.

Cruz’s introduction to film came with Jamón Jamón, where she portrayed Silvia, and this role launched her into celebrity status, marking her as a prominent sex symbol. In her early years in the industry, she took on parts in films including Belle Époque in 1992, Open Your Eyes from 1997, and The Girl of Your Dreams, released in 2000.

Cruz gained fame particularly for her partnerships with filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, featuring in titles such as Live Flesh (1997), All About My Mother (1999), and Volver (2006). Her performance in Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Additional notable works include Vanilla Sky (2001), Blow (2001), and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011). Her interpretation of Donatella Versace in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (2018) led to a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award.

Year	Movies	Role
1992	Jamón, jamón	Silvia
1992	Belle Époque	Luz
1993	For Love, Only for Love	Mary
1993	The Greek Labyrinth	Elise
1993	The Rebel	Enza
1994	Alegre ma non-troppo	Salome
1994	Todo es mentira	Lucia
1995	Entre rojas	Lucia
1995	El efecto mariposa	Party guest
1996	La Celestina	Melibea
1996	Brujas	Patricia
1996	Not Love, Just Frenzy
1997	Love Can Seriously Damage Your Health	Diana
1997	Open Your Eyes	Sofia
1997	Live Flesh	Isabel Plaza Caballero
1997	A Corner of Paradise	Helena
1998	The Girl of Your Dreams	Macarena
1998	Talk of Angels	Pilar
1998	The Hi-Lo Country	Josepha
1998	Don Juan	Mathurine
1999	All About My Mother	Maria Rosa Sanz
1999	The Man with Rain in His Shoes	Louise
1999	Volavérunt	Pepita Tudó
2000	All the Pretty Horses	Alejandra Villarreal
2000	Woman on Top	Isabella Oliveira
2001	Blow	Mirtha Jung
2001	Don’t Tempt Me	Carmen Ramos
2001	Captain Corelli’s Mandolin	Pelagia
2001	Vanilla Sky	Sofia Serrano
2002	Waking Up in Reno	Brenda
2003	Fanfan la Tulipe	Adeline la Franchise
2003	Masked and Anonymous	Pagan Lace
2003	Gothika	Chloe Sava
2004	Head in the Clouds	Mia
2004	Noel	Nina Vasquez
2004	Don’t Move	Italia
2005	Sahara	Eva Rojas
2005	Chromophobia	Gloria
2006	Bandidas	Maria Alvarez
2006	Volver	Raimunda
2007	Manolete	Antonita Sino
2007	The Good Night	Anna
2008	Elegy	Consuela Castillo
2008	Vicky Cristina Barcelona	Maria Elena
2009	G-Force	Juarez
2009	Broken Embraces	Magdalena
2009	Nine	Carla Albanese
2010	Sex and the City 2	Carmen García Carrión
2011	Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides	Angelica
2012	To Rome with Love	Anna
2012	Twice Born	Gemma
2013	I’m So Excited!	Jessica
2013	The Counselor	Laura
2014	The Boxtrolls	Winnie Portley-Rind
2015	Ma Ma	Magda
2016	Zoolander 2	Valentina Valencia
2016	Grimsby	Rhonda George
2016	The Queen of Spain	Macarena Granada
2017	Loving Pablo	Virginia Vallejo
2017	Murder on the Orient Express	Pilar Estravados
2018	Everybody Knows	Laura
2019	Pain and Glory	Jacinta
2019	Wasp Network	Olga Gonzalez
2021	Parallel Mothers	Janis Martínez Moreno
2021	Official Competition	Lola Cuevas
2022	The 355	Graciela Rivera
2022	L’immensità	Clara
2022	On the Fringe	Azucena
2023	Ferrari	Laura Ferrari

Tv Series

Year	Tv Series	Role
1991	Softly from Paris	Javotte
1992	Framed	Lola Del Moreno
2018	The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story	Donatella Versace
2020	Home Movie: The Princess Bride	Prince Humperdinck / Princess Buttercup

What is the Highest-Paid Movie Role of Penélope Cruz?

Cruz has landed substantial paychecks for many of her top films. Here are some of her highest earnings:

• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) – She earned approximately $4 million while co-starring with Johnny Depp. The movie was a massive success, making over $1 billion worldwide, which marks it as her highest-paid role in Hollywood.

• Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) – Although her salary was lower for this film, it earned her an Academy Award, which boosted her market value.

• The Counselor (2013) – In this film, she acted alongside Javier Bardem, Brad Pitt, and Michael Fassbender, receiving a multi-million-dollar salary.

• Murder on the Orient Express (2017) – This film also provided her with a significant payday from a talented ensemble cast.

• Parallel Mothers (2021) – This critically lauded role solidified her reputation as a global acting icon.

Endorsements and Business Ventures

In addition to her acting career, Penélope has utilized her celebrity status to secure profitable endorsements that significantly contribute to her $85 million fortune. Since the year 2009, she has been a key figure for L’Oréal, allegedly bringing in $2 million each year to promote their beauty products. This enduring alliance, along with earlier partnerships with Ralph Lauren and Lancôme has augmented her wealth by millions.

In 2018, she became a brand ambassador for Chanel, associating herself with a prestigious group of actresses and likely earning an annual sum in the seven-figure range, though specific amounts remain undisclosed. Cruz’s entrepreneurial drive also includes ventures in fashion and design. Together with her sister Mónica, she crafted handbags for Loewe, one being the aptly named “Cruz bag,” and launched a clothing collection for Mango.

In 2004, she established a clothing boutique in Madrid, further diversifying her revenue streams. Though these initiatives may not be as widely recognized as her film roles, they showcase her sharp business insight that enhances her income from acting. Her presence on social media, featuring sponsored posts on platforms such as Instagram, also provides a smaller yet significant source of income, leveraging her follower base exceeding 6 million as of 2025.

Awards and Nominations

Penélope Cruz has been nominated for three Academy Awards, triumphing in the category of Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her work in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” in 2009. This film brought her a wealth of accolades, including more than twelve awards such as an ALMA Award, BAFTA Award, and Independent Spirit Award.

Penélope has also garnered four nominations for the Golden Globe and five nominations from the Screen Actors Guild Award, alongside winning three Goya Awards for her performances in “The Girl of Your Dreams,” “Volver,” and “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” Additionally, Cruz received a European Film Award for “Volver,” a David di Donatello Award for “Don’t Move,” a CinEuphoria Award for “Dolor y gloria,” a Hollywood Film Award for “Volver,” four awards from the Spanish Actors Union, and five Fotogramas de Plata accolades.

In 2003, Penélope was awarded a Creative Achievement Award at the Imagen Foundation Awards, followed by a Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in 2019. She also obtained an Honorary César Award in 2018 and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011.

Awards	Year
Academy Awards	2008
Actors and Actresses Union Awards	2007 & 2018
British Academy Film Awards	2009
European Film Awards	2004 & 2006
Gotham Awards	2008
Goya Awards	1999, 2007, 2009
Cannes Film Festival	2006
Palm Springs International Film Festival	2022 & 2024

Penélope Cruz Net Worth

Penélope Cruz an actress and producer from Spain, boasts an estimated wealth of $85 million. A representative for Ms. Cruz, when contacted, disputed our assessment of her financial status but did not share additional information. Cruz garnered significant praise for her performances in the 1992 foreign films “Jamón, Jamón” and “Belle Epoque.”

She has risen to become one of the most in-demand and highly compensated actresses globally, with notable appearances in films such as “Blow” (2001), “Vanilla Sky” (2001), and “Nine” (2009). Cruz is widely recognized for her roles in productions helmed by Pedro Almodovar, which include “All About My Mother” (1999), “Volver” (2006), and “Broken Embraces” (2009).

She made history as the first Spanish actress to receive an Oscar, winning for her role in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (2008). In 2018, she showcased her talent on television by portraying Donatella Versace in the FX limited series “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” earning widespread acclaim and nominations for the Emmys, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Critics’ Choice Awards.

Social Media Accounts

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Twitter	28.6k Followers
Facebook	79.3k Followers
TikTok	Updated Soon

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