Halle Berry’s modern blended family is made up of her two children, Nahla and Maceo-Robert, along with her boyfriend Van Hunt. Since welcoming her daughter Nahla with ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry in 2008 and later having son Maceo-Robert with former husband Olivier Martinez in 2013, Berry has managed to maintain a close-knit yet private household while navigating relationships and motherhood.
The Oscar-winning actress’s focus remains on nurturing her children and providing them with the freedom and tools to thrive, all while protecting their privacy from public exposure. Alongside her partner Van Hunt, whom she met during quarantine in 2020, Berry continues to build a loving and supportive blended family.
Halle Berry’s Approach to Parenthood in a Blended Household
Berry has spoken openly about the unique challenges and joys of raising children with different fathers while merging lives with Van Hunt, who also has a son. She once shared with AARP: The Magazine that as a mother in a blended family, her primary concern is that her children are content with the choices she makes.
She added,
“I have two children with two different fathers. Van has a son,”
and emphasized her role as a parent, explaining,
“My job is to just hold space for them and nurture them, feed them, take care of them, provide them different opportunities, but then they have to decide for themselves.”
This approach underlines her belief that children should develop their own identities rather than imitate their parents.
Meeting Van Hunt‘s son shortly after their relationship began during the pandemic, Berry has cemented her role as a “mama bear” in the blended family dynamic. She described herself in a roundtable event for her film Never Let Go as protective but understanding of her children’s independence, stating,
“I am pretty mama bear, but I don’t think I’m too mama bear, because I really, really, really understand that I’m just the vessel to bring these kids here.”
The Story of Nahla Ariela Aubry: Berry’s Daughter and Privacy Protector
Nahla Ariela Aubry, Berry’s first child with Gabriel Aubry, was born on March 16, 2008, in Los Angeles. Berry and Aubry named her daughter only after meeting her, acknowledging the difficulty of naming such an important presence in their lives. Despite their separation in 2010, Berry has exerted great effort to keep Nahla out of the public eye, aiming to shield her from unwanted attention commonly associated with celebrity children.
She expressed this protective stance in a 2019 interview with Today, stating,
“I just don’t want to plaster them all over the internet. That just doesn’t feel right for me. They’re gonna do that soon enough. That’s gonna be their life when they grow up, and they will choose when that starts.”
Berry has consistently advocated for her children’s right to determine the timing of their own public exposure.
Nonetheless, the actress has made exceptions on special occasions like birthdays. For Nahla’s 15th birthday in 2023, Berry shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, writing,
“One of the greatest gifts the universe has given me is my daughter, Nahla. She is the sun that never fades and the moon that never wanes!”
Most recently, Berry expressed a mixture of concern and excitement when Nahla left home for a college summer program at 17. Speaking to Jenna Bush Hager on the Today show, Berry said,
“I’m not one of these moms that feels like, ‘Oh, she’s leaving.’ Yes, will I worry? Of course. But am I excited for her to start her life and figure out who she’s gonna be? Absolutely. I’m dying to see who she’s gonna be and what she’s gonna do and what she’ll discover.”
Maceo-Robert Martinez: Berry’s Son and His Role in the Family
On October 5, 2013, Berry gave birth to her son Maceo-Robert Martinez with then-husband Olivier Martinez. The name Maceo, meaning “gift of God” in Spanish, was chosen because it works well in both the United States and France, reflecting Martinez’s French heritage and Spanish roots.
Berry and Martinez separated in 2015 and finalized their divorce in 2023, yet she continued to maintain their son’s privacy in much the same way as with Nahla. Berry revealed that homeschooling Maceo during the COVID-19 pandemic proved challenging but rewarding, noting,
“To get them to focus and realize they’re at home but yet they’re at school, it’s really been a challenge. But I have enjoyed having all this extra time with them. We have been making good use of the time when they’re not in school.”
In 2021, Berry celebrated Maceo’s eighth birthday on social media by playfully calling him “THUNDER” and publicly sharing her joy. Regarding Maceo’s relationship with Van Hunt, Berry highlighted a meaningful moment, sharing with AARP: The Magazine that her son arranged a spontaneous commitment ceremony for her and Van in the backseat of a car.
She recalled,
“My son, Maceo, of his own volition did this little commitment ceremony for us in the back seat of the car. I think he finally sees me happy, and it’s infectious. It was his way of saying, This is good. I like this. This makes me happy.”
She added,
“It was a very real moment for all of us. I teared up, Van was fighting back tears. Even Maceo knew he’d said something poignant. It meant a lot to us.”
Maintaining Balance Between Privacy and Public Life
Throughout her journey as a mother, Halle Berry has been resolute about guarding her children’s privacy. Despite her high-profile career, she chooses carefully when to share milestones publicly, creating a boundary that allows her children to develop independently of their mother’s fame.
This protective stance has not prevented Berry from expressing pride and affection openly or from embracing her current relationship with Van Hunt as an integral part of her family’s dynamic. Her blending of past and present relationships embodies the evolving nature of family structures today, with an emphasis on love, respect, and support.
By fostering autonomy in her children while maintaining a warm, stable home environment, Berry exemplifies how dedication and sensitivity can shape a modern blended family. As Nahla and Maceo continue to grow and explore their identities, Berry’s role evolves into one of a trusted guide and guardian, nurturing their futures with affection and care.
