Penélope Cruz, the Spanish actress and producer, boasts an estimated net worth of $85 million. While Cruz’s representatives have declined to confirm this estimate, the actress has certainly built a remarkable career. Cruz gained recognition for her roles in “Jamón, Jamón” and “Belle Epoque” in the early ’90s. Throughout her career, she has starred in numerous blockbuster films, including “Blow,” “Vanilla Sky,” and “Nine.”
Known for her collaborations with director Pedro Almodóvar, Cruz has been featured in films such as “All About My Mother,” “Volver,” and “Broken Embraces.” She became the first Spanish actress to win an Academy Award, claiming the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2009 for her role in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” Penélope also gained fame for her portrayal of Donatella Versace in the series “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” which earned her critical acclaim and numerous award nominations.
Penélope Cruz’s Early Life
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 passed away in 2015. Cruz has two younger siblings: Mónica, an actress, and Eduardo, a singer, as well as a half-sister, Salma. Raised in a Roman Catholic household, Penélope was deeply involved in ballet from a young age, studying at Spain’s National Conservatory for nine years.
She also studied acting at Cristina Rota’s school in New York for four years. Cruz’s desire to pursue acting was sparked after watching Pedro Almodóvar’s 1990 film “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!” Though initially rejected due to her age, she was later signed by agent Katrina Bayonas. At 15, Cruz beat out 300 other girls to win an audition at a talent agency. Soon after, she began appearing in music videos, including Mecano’s “La Fuerza del Destino” in 1989.
Penélope Cruz’s Career Path
Cruz began her professional career hosting “La Quinta Marcha” on Spain’s Telecinco channel from 1990 to 1991. She also appeared in the French TV series “Série Rose” in 1991. Penélope made her big screen debut in 1992 with “Jamón, Jamón,” earning a Goya Award nomination. Her career rapidly expanded with roles in several successful films, including “Belle Epoque,” “The Greek Labyrinth,” and “Alegre ma nontroppo.”
Cruz made her American film debut in 1998’s “The Hi-Lo Country,” which earned her a Best Actress ALMA Award nomination. She starred in “Don Juan” and “All the Pretty Horses” in 1999, followed by “Woman on Top” in 2000. Cruz reached international stardom in 2001, starring alongside Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz in “Vanilla Sky,” which grossed over $200 million.
Her breakthrough performance came with “Blow” (2001), earning her an MTV Movie Award nomination. Cruz later starred in the 2003 horror film “Gothika” and 2004’s “Don’t Move,” which received critical acclaim. In 2006, she starred in Almodóvar’s “Volver,” earning an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Her 2008 role in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” brought her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, along with more than 30 awards.
Further Career Successes
Penélope Cruz’s career continued to soar with notable roles in family-friendly films like “G-Force” (2009), which grossed $292.8 million, and the musical “Nine” (2009), where she starred alongside Nicole Kidman and Daniel Day-Lewis. In 2011, Cruz appeared in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” one of the highest-grossing films ever, earning over $1 billion worldwide.
In 2015, she starred in “Ma Ma,” a role she also co-produced. She continued to appear in films such as “Zoolander 2,” “Grimsby,” and “Murder on the Orient Express” (2017). In 2018, Cruz co-starred in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” a role that earned her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
Penélope is also set to appear in the spy thriller “The 355” and the Spanish comedy “Official Competition.”
Penélope Cruz’s Salary Earnings
Throughout her career, Cruz has earned millions of dollars from her various film roles. According to IMDB, she earned $2 million for her role in “Vanilla Sky” and $1.6 million for “Sahara.” These figures are base salaries and do not account for backend bonuses or royalties.
Endorsements and Brand Collaborations
Cruz has supplemented her earnings through several lucrative endorsement deals with major brands. One of her most prominent collaborations is with L’Oréal, for which she has been the face since 2009. She reportedly earns $2 million annually from this deal. Other notable brands she’s worked with include Lancôme, Ralph Lauren, and Emirates Air.
Cruz had a relationship with actor Tom Cruise from 2001 to 2004. In 2010, she married actor Javier Bardem, whom she had first met on the set of “Jamón, Jamón.” They began dating in 2007 and have two children—a son born in 2011 and a daughter born in 2013. The family splits their time between Los Angeles and Madrid.
In 2004, Cruz opened a clothing store, Amarcord, in Madrid. She also partnered with her sister, Mónica, to design a clothing line for Mango in 2007. Penélope is known for her humanitarian efforts, having volunteered in Uganda and India, where she worked with Mother Teresa’s leprosy clinic. She also donated her salary from “The Hi-Lo Country” to the Mother Teresa Children’s Sanctuary.
Penélope Cruz’s Advocacy and Veganism
After filming “All the Pretty Horses” in 2000, Cruz adopted a vegetarian lifestyle. She has been a vocal advocate for animal rights and appeared in PETA’s anti-fur campaign in 2012 and 2018. Cruz’s passion for humanitarian causes is also evident in her charity work, where she actively supports organizations like the Red Cross and UNICEF.
Awards and Recognition
Penélope Cruz has received numerous accolades over her career. She has been nominated for three Academy Awards, winning one for her role in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” She has also earned four Golden Globe nominations, five Screen Actors Guild nominations, and three Goya Awards, with wins for “The Girl of Your Dreams,” “Volver,” and “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” Cruz has been honored with several other awards, including the European Film Award for “Volver” and a Hollywood Film Award.
In 2011, Cruz received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2019, she was given the Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival. She was also honored with an Honorary César Award in 2018 for her exceptional contributions to cinema.
Penélope Cruz’s Real Estate Ventures
Penélope Cruz has invested in several real estate properties. In 2005, she purchased a Hollywood Hills home for $3.138 million, which she later sold for $2.88 million in 2011. In 2010, Cruz and her husband, Javier Bardem, bought a Beverly Hills property for $3.3 million.
Additionally, Cruz and Bardem own a home in an exclusive gated community in Madrid. Properties in this neighborhood can range between €6,000 to €8,000 per square meter. The couple’s home was designed by Joaquín Torres, and they were once neighbors with Cristiano Ronaldo, who owned a mansion valued at $5 million when it was listed for sale in 2018.
