Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes have built a private family life centered around their two daughters, Esmeralda Amada and Amada Lee. Since becoming parents in 2014 and 2016 respectively, the actors have intentionally kept their children out of public view to protect their privacy and allow them to grow up without the pressures of social media exposure. This approach reflects their commitment to raising their kids thoughtfully and respectfully in today’s digital age.
Gosling, known for his acclaimed film career and multiple Oscar nominations, shares a deep partnership with Mendes, rooted in both romance and their mutual desire for family. Their daughters, now 10 and 9 years old, have rarely been seen by the public, as the couple prioritizes their consent and well-being over internet visibility.
The Beginning of Their Family Journey
Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes first connected professionally when they portrayed a family on screen in the 2012 film The Place Beyond the Pines. Their off-screen relationship soon followed, leading to parenthood with the birth of their first daughter, Esmeralda Amada, on September 12, 2014, in Santa Monica, California. Their second daughter, Amada Lee, was born on April 29, 2016.
Gosling has spoken about how his relationship with Mendes changed his perspective on children. He explained in a 2023 GQ interview,
I wasn’t thinking about kids before I met her, but after I met Eva, I realized that I just didn’t want to have kids without her. There were moments on [set] where we were pretending to be a family, and I didn’t really want it to be pretend anymore. I realized that this would be a life I would be really lucky to have.
—Ryan Gosling, Actor
Mendes has similarly described how Gosling inspired her desire to become a mother in a 2019 Women’s Health interview, saying,
Ryan Gosling happened. I mean, falling in love with him. Then it made sense for me to have…not kids, but his kids. It was very specific to him.
—Eva Mendes, Actress
A Deep Commitment to Their Children’s Privacy
Despite their high-profile status, Gosling and Mendes have been resolute about shielding their daughters from the public eye, especially on social media platforms. They believe their children should decide for themselves when they are mature enough to understand and consent to having their images shared with the world.
In 2020, Mendes wrote in an Instagram comment,
Since my children are still so little and don’t understand what posting their image really means, I don’t have their consent. And I won’t post their image until they’re old enough to give me consent,
—Eva Mendes, Actress
This protective stance is part of a broader parenting philosophy that emphasizes love and self-worth over external validation. Mendes told Byrdie in 2022,
I think everything starts in the home—everything,
adding,
So hopefully Ryan and I are doing the work by just loving them, completely loving them, and doing most of that work for them so that they grow up feeling like they’re enough.
—Eva Mendes, Actress
Esmeralda Amada Gosling: Their First Daughter
Esmeralda Amada Gosling was born when Mendes was 40 years old, a timing the actress has celebrated, challenging societal expectations about motherhood. She explained to People magazine,
When I was 40, it was a big deal for people when I was pregnant, and it wasn’t for me,
later adding,
And then I was 42 and I was pregnant with my second one and people were like, ‘Oh my God, you’re going to be so tired. That’s why people have kids in their 20s.’ I was like, that’s the most sorry, asinine thing I’ve ever heard.
—Eva Mendes, Actress
The name Esmeralda was chosen after the beloved heroine from Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Her middle name, Amada, meaning “beloved” in Spanish, is a tribute to Mendes’ grandmother. True to her Cuban heritage, Mendes is ensuring her daughters grow up bilingual. She shared with People Chica in 2018,
Esmeralda mostly speaks Spanglish right now,
and stressed,
It’s really cute. She’s definitely bilingual, and it’s really important for us to make sure that she’s not only familiar with the language, but also with the culture.
—Eva Mendes, Actress
Ryan Gosling publicly acknowledged his family during his 2017 Golden Globes acceptance speech for La La Land, dedicating his award to Mendes’ late brother Carlos and thanking his partner and daughters:
While I was singing and dancing and playing piano and having one of the best experiences I’ve ever had on a film, my lady was raising our daughter, pregnant with our second and trying to help her brother fight his battle with cancer,
he said.
Sweetheart, thank you. To my daughters, Amada and Esmeralda, I love you.
—Ryan Gosling, Actor
Amada Lee Gosling: The Youngest Daughter
Born in 2016, Amada Lee Gosling joined the family just before Esmeralda’s second birthday. Like her sister, her name honors Mendes’ grandmother, a figure important in their family history. Together, the girls enjoy activities such as giving their mother playful makeovers, which Mendes has occasionally shared glimpses of on her Instagram, showcasing the colorful results of their creative bonding time.
Mendes has said that fashion and creativity are passions she hopes to pass down to her daughters. She told People in 2019 about saving pieces from her own mother’s wardrobe, saying,
I look at my mom and I’ll be like, ‘Mom, where is that dress?’ And she’s like, ‘Oh my God, that dress. I didn’t even like that dress. I gave it away.’ And I’m like, ‘I would die for this dress right now,’
and continued,
I have so many of those moments that I definitely save a bunch of stuff, for [Amada and Esmeralda],
—Eva Mendes, Actress
These heirlooms symbolize not only style but also connection and legacy, illustrating their desire to provide the girls with a strong sense of identity and confidence as they grow up.
Balancing Fame and Family Life
Though Gosling and Mendes occasionally share moments publicly, such as their appearance together at the 2024 Paris Olympics, they maintain a clear boundary between their careers and their children’s private lives. Their decision to withhold social media exposure reflects a thoughtful effort to shield their daughters from the pressures and pitfalls of celebrity culture.
Both parents appear determined to foster a nurturing environment where Esmeralda and Amada can develop their own identities free from the constant gaze of publicity. Mendes emphasized in a 2025 interview with New Beauty,
I know these moments are fleeting. I just want to be with them. Whatever I’m doing, as long as I’m with them and Ryan, of course, that’s where I’m happiest,
—Eva Mendes, Actress
This dedication underlines the importance the couple places on family unity and the priceless bonds they share away from cameras and headlines.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Ryan Gosling take 4 years off?
A. When asked why he took a break, Gosling said he wanted to be with his family after the birth of his second child with Eva Mendes. “I wanted to spend as much time as I could with them,” Gosling stated. This time away also shifted how he felt about his work as an actor.
Q. What is Ryan Gosling’s religion?
A. His parents have some French Canadian background, as well as German, English, Scottish, and Irish roots.
Their family belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Gosling mentioned that the religion affected all parts of their daily lives.
Q. Does Ryan Gosling have any disabilities?
A. The actor faced many challenges in his early life. Despite these struggles, he became a top actor and earned three Oscar nominations. The Blade Runner 2049 actor once mentioned having a learning disability, which made things difficult for him.
Q. Do Ryan Gosling have ADHD?
A. Ryan Gosling, the actor, has ADHD and difficulties with reading. During his childhood, he faced bullying due to these issues. His mother chose to homeschool him, supporting his interests in performing and acting.
