Penélope Cruz age 52, and the Spanish star remains one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation. Born Penélope Cruz Sánchez on April 28, 1974, in Alcobendas, a town near Madrid, Spain, she began as a dancer, became a muse of director Pedro Almodóvar, and went on to win an Academy Award — the first Spanish actress ever to do so. From Spanish-language art films to Hollywood blockbusters, Cruz has built a career that crosses languages and continents. Here is everything to know about Penélope Cruz’s age, height, husband, children and net worth.
Penélope Cruz Quick Facts
| Full Name | Penélope Cruz Sánchez |
| Date of Birth | April 28, 1974 |
| Age | 52 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Partner | Javier Bardem (husband, married 2010) |
| Children | 2 (Leo, born 2011; Luna, born 2013) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Net Worth | Approx. $85 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2026) |
| Known For | Volver; Vicky Cristina Barcelona; Jamón Jamón; Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides; Parallel Mothers |
Who Is Penélope Cruz?
Penélope Cruz is a Spanish actress who became the first Spanish actress to win an Academy Award, taking Best Supporting Actress for Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008). She first found fame in Spain in Jamón Jamón (1992) and became a favourite of director Pedro Almodóvar, starring in Live Flesh (1997), All About My Mother (1999), Volver (2006) and Parallel Mothers (2021). In Hollywood she has starred in Vanilla Sky (2001), Blow (2001), Sahara (2005) and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), which grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. Cruz has been nominated for four Academy Awards in total, and she remains one of the few stars who move freely between Spanish-language cinema and English-language blockbusters. She has been married to fellow Oscar winner Javier Bardem since 2010.
Penélope Cruz’s Early Life & Background
Cruz was born in Alcobendas, near Madrid, to Eduardo Cruz, a retailer and car mechanic, and Encarna Sánchez, a hairdresser. Her younger sister Mónica became an actress and dancer, and her younger brother Eduardo is a singer. Cruz trained as a classical ballet dancer for nine years at Spain’s National Conservatory and also studied theatre, originally dreaming of a career in dance. At 15, she was discovered after beating more than 300 other girls at an audition held by a talent agency. Her first work came in a music video for the Spanish band Mecano, followed by television work, and at 18 she made her film debut in Bigas Luna’s Jamón Jamón (1992), earning a Goya Award nomination for Best Actress. The same year she appeared in Belle Époque, which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Penélope Cruz’s Career
After Jamón Jamón, Cruz built her reputation in Spanish cinema, working with Almodóvar on Live Flesh (1997) and the Oscar-winning All About My Mother (1999). Her move to Hollywood brought The Hi-Lo Country (1998), All the Pretty Horses (2000), Blow (2001) opposite Johnny Depp, and Vanilla Sky (2001) with Tom Cruise. She mixed blockbusters such as Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (2001), Gothika (2003) and Sahara (2005) with returns to Spanish film, and in 2006 she starred in Almodóvar’s Volver, winning Best Actress at Cannes (shared with her co-stars) and her first Oscar nomination. The Oscar arrived for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008), followed by another nomination for the musical Nine (2009). She played Angelica in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), starred as Donatella Versace in American Crime Story (2018), earning an Emmy nomination, and won the Volpi Cup at Venice for Parallel Mothers (2021), which brought her a fourth Oscar nomination. She also co-starred with Salma Hayek in the western comedy Bandidas (2006).
Facts About Penélope Cruz
- She was the first Spanish actress to win an Academy Award, for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008).
- She trained as a classical ballet dancer for nine years before turning to acting.
- She was discovered at 15 after beating more than 300 other girls at a talent-agency audition.
- She and her husband, Javier Bardem, first met on the set of Jamón Jamón in 1992 but did not start dating until 2007.
- She has been nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Volver and Parallel Mothers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Penélope Cruz?
Penélope Cruz is 52 years old. She was born on April 28, 1974, in Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain.
How tall is Penélope Cruz?
Penélope Cruz is 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) tall.
Who is Penélope Cruz’s husband?
Penélope Cruz has been married to Javier Bardem, the Oscar-winning Spanish actor, since July 2010. They have two children together.
What is Penélope Cruz’s net worth?
Penélope Cruz’s net worth is approx. $85 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth (2026), built from her film salaries in both Spanish and Hollywood cinema and her endorsement work.
What is Penélope Cruz’s Instagram?
Penélope Cruz is on Instagram as @penelopecruzoficial, where she shares photos from film sets, premieres and her work with charities.
How old is Penélope Cruz?
Penélope Cruz is 52 years old. She was born on April 28, 1974, in Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain.
How tall is Penélope Cruz?
Penélope Cruz is 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) tall.
Who is Penélope Cruz’s husband?
Penélope Cruz has been married to Javier Bardem, the Oscar-winning Spanish actor, since July 2010. They have two children together.
What is Penélope Cruz’s net worth?
Penélope Cruz’s net worth is approx. $85 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth (2026), built from her film salaries in both Spanish and Hollywood cinema and her endorsement work.
What is Penélope Cruz’s Instagram?
Penélope Cruz is on Instagram as @penelopecruzoficial, where she shares photos from film sets, premieres and her work with charities.
More Trending Profiles: Salma Hayek, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, Brie Larson