Photo: Associated Press
On April 28, Penelope Cruz, the first Spanish actress to win an Oscar, turned 50 years old.
Penelope Cruz Sanchez was born in the Spanish city of Alcobendas, her father was a salesman and car mechanic, her mother worked as a hairdresser and an impresario. In her youth, Cruz studied classical ballet and attended classes at the Spanish National Conservatory for nine years.
At the age of 10, Penelope became interested in acting and began looking for agents, but was rejected several times because she was considered too young. At the age of 15, she was approved by a talent agency. After graduating from the conservatory, Cruz moved to the United States, spending seven years at the Christina Rota school in New York, three of which she studied Spanish ballet and four – theater.
In 1991, Penelope made her television debut. A year later, the actress made her first film: the tragicomedy “Ham, Ham” was released, which received critical acclaim.
Penelope went on to build a successful film career, starring in over fifty films, including Open Your Eyes, Hill and Valley, The Girl of Your Dreams, The Woman on Top, Cocaine and Vanilla Sky. She also starred in films of various genres, including “Waking Up in Reno,” “Gothic,” “Noel” and “Sahara.”
Over a film career spanning more than 30 years, she starred in 70 films.
Penelope Cruz was the first Spanish actress to win an Oscar: in 2009, the actress won the statue for the best supporting actress in the film Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Other awards include Cannes Film Festival, European Film Academy, Goya, BAFTA and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Since 2010, Penelope has been married to actor Javier Bardem, and the couple has two children.
Penelope Cruz is passionate about social life. She has raised money for the fight against AIDS, raised money for earthquake relief in Haiti, participated in advertising for the animal rights group PETA, actively supported Ukraine after the Russian war started, and to help starving children in South Sudan. In February 2024, along with other actors, she spoke in support of Gaza at the Goya Award ceremony.
