Julia Roberts has offered a heartfelt glimpse into her famously private family life as her twins, Hazel Patricia and Phinnaeus Walter, celebrated their 21st birthday. The Hollywood icon, known for her privacy and acclaimed roles, marked this milestone with a nostalgic social media tribute, shining a spotlight on her role as a mother beyond the entertainment world.
While Roberts is no stranger to high-profile events, her appearance at the 2025 Gotham Film Awards in New York had little to do with her illustrious film career and everything to do with her children. At 58, the star’s attention was firmly on family, underscoring a perspective that has defined her life in and out of the spotlight.
Marking a Milestone: Julia Roberts Reflects as Her Twins Become Adults
With Hazel and Phinnaeus officially reaching adulthood, Julia Roberts, alongside husband Daniel Moder, finds herself in a new phase of parenthood. The twins, whom Roberts has diligently protected from public view, have now become young adults, and their mother openly described the experience as both “amazing” and “astonishing” in remarks to Entertainment Tonight.
Her words captured the emotional weight of parenting through two decades. The public, accustomed to seeing Roberts in blockbuster films or at red-carpet premieres, saw a different side of her as she shared these personal feelings about seeing her children grow up and find their own voices.
Roberts Shares a Cherished Memory of Her Twins as Young Children
To honor the twins’ birthday, Roberts posted a throwback photo of Hazel and Phinnaeus as toddlers on Instagram, captivating fans and followers alike. The image, brimming with nostalgia, offered a rare view into a world the public rarely accesses. Describing her children as “game changers” and “life alterers,” Roberts’ caption reflected deep reverence for the passage of time, marveling at how quickly her babies had become adults.
The post resonated greatly, highlighting the emotional journey of raising children largely away from the media’s gaze. Roberts and Moder, who married in 2002, have emphasized shielding their family, including their youngest son Henry Daniel, from intense public scrutiny, making each shared image a meaningful occasion for fans.
Family Above All: How Julia Roberts Prioritizes Life at Home
Despite an Oscar-winning career, Julia Roberts has always made it clear that her most treasured role is within her family. In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning in 2022, she openly declared that while she had achieved her Hollywood dreams, her greatest joy came from building a life with Daniel Moder and their children—a sentiment she has often shared across various interviews.
Roberts is unwavering in her commitment to protecting her family’s privacy. Explaining her low profile, she stated that both she and Moder intentionally safeguard their children’s experiences, keeping them as normal as possible, despite fame constantly lurking in the background.
Staying Under the Radar in the Spotlight
Even in environments teeming with paparazzi, Roberts has demonstrated a remarkable ability to keep her family life out of the spotlight. She once recalled a family trip to Disneyland, a milestone marked not by media attention but by the pure enjoyment of spending time incognito with her loved ones. Being able to blend into the crowd, she explained, results from a conscious balance of instinct and firm personal boundaries.
Roberts described her approach as giving the public only what feels appropriate while fiercely guarding what is most meaningful to her family. For her, maintaining privacy is not a struggle—it simply comes naturally, allowing her children to experience childhood without undue intrusion.
Setting Boundaries: The House Rules That Hold the Family Together
Julia Roberts does not leave parenting to chance; her household follows distinct rules designed to foster connection and security. Speaking to Hoda Kotb on TODAY in 2023, she revealed a key policy: all phones must go into a charging station upon coming home, with absolutely no phones allowed at the dinner table. These house rules promote genuine interaction and help the family remain present in each other’s lives.
Even as her oldest children now attend college, Roberts maintains her nurturing influence, continuing to check in on their well-being and asking them to keep her informed about their safety and health. Her approach reflects the balance she strikes between celebrity and motherhood, striving to offer her children a grounded and loving upbringing much like any devoted parent.
Moments That Matter: Balancing Public Celebration and Privacy
Fans have previously glimpsed similar milestones, such as when Roberts posted another rare photo for the twins’ 19th birthday. At that time, she explained to Extra that sharing throwbacks allowed her to honor her children without compromising the family’s well-established boundaries around privacy.
In early 2024, the actress spoke to Vogue about embracing motherhood after conquering her career ambitions. By the time Hazel and Phinnaeus arrived, Roberts had already achieved significant professional success, which allowed her to be more fully present for her children without the pressures of constant career advancement.
Learning from Others: Acknowledging the Challenges Mothers Face
Roberts has expressed gratitude for her ability to prioritize family, acknowledging that many of her peers in Hollywood and beyond have juggled newborns and demanding work schedules, sometimes contending with the harsh realities of balancing both. Observing others’ struggles left a lasting impression, making her even more appreciative of her circumstances at home.
However, Roberts clarified that dedicating herself to family does not diminish her creative pursuits. She wants her children to understand that her work enriches her life and complements her role as a mother, rather than detracting from it. For Roberts, both roles coexist naturally and form an integral part of who she is.
A Fans’ Reaction: Birthday Post Sparks Emotional Responses
As with every rare insight into her private life, Julia Roberts’ recent birthday post for Hazel and Phinnaeus ignited a wave of emotion and nostalgia among her followers. Many marveled at how quickly her children have grown, reflecting on the passage of time and the joys of parenthood alongside her.
“They are all grown up! Wow time flies,”
a fan wrote, expressing the shock many felt at seeing the twins as adults. — Follower
Another admirer commented,
“You have a wonderful family ❤️.”
— Follower
This outpouring of admiration highlights just how much Roberts’ audience values each shared moment, wishing for further glimpses into her family story. Yet, true to her nature, Julia Roberts continues to offer only brief, carefully chosen insights, keeping her cherished family life largely out of public reach even as her children continue to grow and chart their own paths.
As Roberts marks this significant chapter and her twins’ entry into adulthood, she remains steadfast in her commitment to shielding what is most precious—her family. The star’s rare glimpses into her personal world resonate deeply, underscoring the powerful impact of nurturing a loving, grounded home amid all the trappings of fame.
