Penélope Cruz: Bio And Career Highlights

April 28, 1974

Alcobendas, Spain

52 Years Old

Taurus

Penélope Cruz Sánchez is a Spanish actress whose intensity and versatility have cemented her as a global cinema icon. Prolific in both Spanish and English-language films, she moves seamlessly between dramatic depth and comedic flair.


Her breakout moment came with her Academy Award-winning performance in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona, making her the first Spanish actress to win an Oscar. This landmark role showcased her vibrant screen presence.

Family ties ran deep in Alcobendas, Spain, where Penélope Cruz Sánchez was born, a daughter to a hairdresser mother and a car mechanic father. She often amused her family by re-enacting commercials.

She pursued classical ballet for nine years at Spain's National Conservatory in Madrid, before studying theatre at the Cristina Rota School of Theatre Training and later at the William Esper Studio in New York.

A string of high-profile romances has marked Penélope Cruz's early career, including relationships with actors Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughey. She met fellow Spanish actor Javier Bardem on the set of their 1992 film Jamón, Jamón.

Cruz married Bardem in July 2010 after several years of dating, and the couple shares two children: son Leonardo Encinas Cruz and daughter Luna Encinas Cruz.

Critical acclaim consistently follows Penélope Cruz, especially for her collaborations with director Pedro Almodóvar, including films like All About My Mother and Volver. For Volver, she earned a Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress.


Beyond acting, Cruz has leveraged her brand into business ventures, notably designing clothing and handbags with her sister Mónica for brands such as Mango and Loewe. She has also been a prominent ambassador for L'Oréal and Chanel.

“I was raised as a Catholic, but I believe in God in my own way and I pray in my own way and I respect all kinds of philosophies.”