Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz first met in 1992 while filming the Spanish movie "Jamón, Jamón". “It was her first movie; one of my first movies. A big movie. We met on the wardrobe test, where we looked at each other, and I guess something happened. Something that doesn’t have any explanation and goes beyond logic and reasoning. But, back in the day, we had different lives, different objectives, aims and goals. Yet, something was there—an energy, a chemistry, a way to rely on each other as human beings. And that stayed for so long, even though we didn’t see each other or speak to each other for many years.” At the time, both were young actors just beginning their careers. Though there was chemistry, Bardem reflected that it wasn’t the right moment for a relationship. As he put it, “Éramos muy jóvenes, y no era el momento” (“We were very young, and it wasn’t the right time”). Their connection remained professional and friendly for years, with each going their separate ways both personally and professionally. It wasn’t until 2007, when they reunited on the set of Woody Allen’s "Vicky Cristina Barcelona", that their relationship truly began. Bardem recalled, “Tuvimos nuestro momento allí”; they finally had their moment. Working together again after so many years rekindled their bond in a new, more mature context. This time, they allowed the connection to deepen into something more serious. Their romance blossomed quietly, away from the spotlight. In 2010, they married in a private ceremony in the Bahamas, solidifying a relationship rooted in deep familiarity and years of mutual respect. Bardem has since spoken of the depth of their connection and his admiration for Cruz, not just as a partner but as a mother and person. As he put it in a recent interview, “She’s an amazing, brave, strong, beautiful woman.” They have two children, Leo and Luna. Source: https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a63424443/penelope-cruz-javier-bardem-relationship-timeline/
Huesca, Spain