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Choosing motherhood over an acting career was a no-brainer for Eva Mendes, who, at age 50, has fully embraced her role as a mother to two daughters with partner Ryan Gosling.
During a recent interview with Today, Mendes shared her joy in prioritizing family life, stating, “It was like a no-brainer. [And I was like], I’m so lucky if I could have this time with my children.” Despite stepping back from her successful acting career to focus on raising daughters Esmeralda Amada, 9, and Amada Lee, 7, the retired actress maintains a productive work life away from the film sets, given the demanding travel acting often requires, saying “acting takes you on location. It takes you away.”
Michael Tran/Film Magic
When talking with her husband Gosling, 43, about being a stay-at-home mom, Mendes recalls, “It was almost just like a non-verbal agreement that it was like, ‘OK, he’s going to work and I’m going to work. I’m just going to work here,'” adding, “He went and he did his job. He just happens to be really good at his job. And he did it and he came home.”
The couple, who started their journey together on the set of The Place Beyond the Pines in 2012, share a deep respect for each other’s careers, with Mendes particularly in awe of her husband’s dedication to his craft. “I have never experienced anything like that,” she reflected on their time working together, which significantly influenced her decision to pause her acting career.
While the mom of two may not accompany Gosling on every red carpet event, her support for him shines through on social media, especially evident during the awards season and following the release of Barbie. Mendes used her platform to cheer him on during his memorable “I’m Just Ken” performance at the 96th Academy Awards. Sharing a candid moment from the Oscars rehearsals on Instagram with a caption, “Siempre con mi hombre,” and later, a celebratory post-performance message, “You took Ken all the way to the Oscars, RG. Now come home, we need to put the kids to bed.” with a kiss emoji.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.