Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes: Inside Their Private Love Story

Actors Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes have quietly maintained one of Hollywood‘s most enduring relationships since first meeting in 2011 during the filming of the crime thriller The Place Beyond the Pines. Despite keeping their romance largely shielded from public view, their connection remains a central part of their lives as they continue to raise their two daughters together.

With a preference for privacy amid their celebrity status, the couple rarely appear together in public, though affectionate gestures and public support reveal the depth of their bond. Mendes, a Miami native, often expresses her admiration for Gosling through social media, while Gosling acknowledges Mendes in awards speeches and through symbolic accessories, demonstrating that their relationship remains a key part of his life.

How Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes Met and Sparked Their Romance

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes were co-stars in the 2012 film The Place Beyond the Pines, portraying a former couple navigating co-parenting. Their off-screen relationship began to blossom during production, signaling the start of a significant personal chapter. The Disney alum took Mendes on a memorable outing to Disneyland during filming, where their playful interactions were noticeably intimate, with the pair holding hands and she affectionately leaning on him.

A source described their time together, stating,

“They were very playful. Eva was skipping around like a little girl … She would lean into him, and she held his arm the entire time,”

according to Us Weekly. Despite such visible chemistry, the couple kept their relationship status under wraps at the time. Mendes, when questioned about dating rumors on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in May 2012, declined to confirm their involvement, choosing instead to brush off the speculation.

Notable Public Appearances Are Few, But Their Connection Remains Strong

Their joint public appearances have been scarce since they officially linked up. One of their most talked-about moments on the red carpet was their appearance at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2012 promoting The Place Beyond the Pines. This event marked a rare occasion for the duo to be photographed together officially. However, they did not walk together or appear jointly at the New York City premiere the following year.

Beyond film promotion events, they have been photographed together at retrospectives such as the 2017 after-party following Gosling’s “Saturday Night Live” hosting stint, where high-profile celebrities like Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Scarlett Johansson were present. Their relationship often surfaces in interviews, with Mendes reflecting on their creative collaborations, including Gosling’s directorial debut with the 2015 sci-fi drama Lost River, where she also starred. Mendes described that experience as particularly special, stating,

“Being in the film Lost River was nothing short of a magical experience. I would love to either act opposite him again or be directed by him at some point,”

and further added,

“I just love working with him. In a career of 20+ years, to have my two most incredible creative experiences be with him, of course, I’d want a third.”

Hints of a Secret Marriage Surface Over Time

While Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes have never publicly confirmed a marriage, subtle indications have sparked speculation. Mendes notably sported a wrist tattoo reading de Gosling (Spanish for Mrs. Gosling) in 2022 on Instagram, fueling rumors about their nuptials. When questioned about the tattoo during an appearance on Australia‘s Kyle and Jackie O Show, Mendes explained that it was obtained years earlier, not linked to any recent ceremony. Yet, she added a layer of ambiguity by stating,

“But who says we weren’t already [married],”

continuing,

“I like to keep it all mysterious. I’m a very mysterious woman.”

Her references to Gosling as her husband also emerged during a 2022 visit to Australia’s Today show, when she said,

“Everyone is so welcoming here, and my husband Ryan is here, and we are having the best time,”

appearing to tacitly confirm their married status to the public.

Raising Two Daughters Away from the Spotlight

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes share two children, both daughters, whose births in 2014 and 2016 have been rare occasions for the couple to reveal personal details. Their first child, Esmeralda Amada, was born in 2014, with Mendes explaining that her name honors a character from Victor Hugo’s classic novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. As Mendes told the beauty curator Violet Grey,

“Ryan and I both love the Esmeralda character from the Victor Hugo novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and we just think it’s a beautiful name.”

The middle name, Amada, holds cultural significance as Mendes’s grandmother’s name, meaning “beloved” in Spanish.

Mendes and Gosling consciously shield their children from the celebrity world’s glare. She shared,

“Whether we like it or not, privacy is going to be very difficult for Esmeralda. I think it’s unfair, but that’s our reality. So Ryan and I decided early on to give her as much privacy as we could. And my pregnancy was the first opportunity to give her that. It’s such an intimate time for the mother, too.”

Their second daughter, Amada Lee, born in 2016, carries the grandmother’s name outright. Mendes explained in an interview with Latina, as cited by People, that they considered several names before deciding on Amada:

“My grandmother’s name is Amada, and Esmeralda Amada is the name of our oldest. We had a few names picked out for our new baby, and when she was born, we didn’t feel like those names were her,”

continuing,

“We came up with a few more, even that morning, and tried them out. We were like, ‘What about Viviana?’ But we just kept going back to Amada.”

The practice of repeating names is common within Latin culture, and Mendes emphasized this tradition, saying,

“In true Latin fashion, we reuse names all the time,”

adding,

“I actually told [Ryan], ‘This is common in Latin culture, so it wouldn’t be crazy.’”

Mutual Admiration Reflected in Their Words

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes frequently express deep affection and respect for one another, affirming their strong emotional connection. When asked in 2015 what he looks for in a partner, Gosling simply replied,

“That she’s Eva Mendes. There’s nothing else I’m looking for.”

Mendes has similarly spoken about Gosling’s unique influence on her life, particularly in relation to having children. In a 2019 interview with Women’s Health, she revealed that she had not planned on motherhood until she met him, saying,

“Ryan Gosling happened,”

and explained,

“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.”

Even in moments of public acclaim, Gosling pays tribute to Mendes and their family, underscoring their shared journey. Upon receiving the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film in 2024, he acknowledged their story, saying,

“Most importantly, I got to meet the girl of my dreams, Eva Mendes, and have two dream children. I dreamed one day of making movies, and now, movies have made my life a dream.”

This heartfelt statement recalls their initial meeting on the set of The Place Beyond the Pines in 2011, highlighting how their personal and professional lives have intertwined since.

The Enduring Privacy and Strength of Their Relationship

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes have managed to maintain a fiercely private, yet evidently strong and supportive relationship in an industry often marked by public scrutiny. Their decision to shield their family life, particularly their children, from media exposure reflects a mutual commitment to normalcy amidst fame. While their few red-carpet moments together and rare public confirmations leave much to speculation, the couple’s consistent expressions of admiration and respect reveal a deeply rooted bond that continues to thrive.

As they balance privacy with occasional glimpses into their life through interviews, social media, and public events, Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes exemplify a Hollywood partnership shaped by love, creativity, and discretion. Their journey from co-stars to life partners, parents, and collaborators paints a picture of a genuine connection that endures beyond the spotlight and remains integral to their personal and professional identities.