Julia Roberts managed to build a strong marriage with her cinematographer husband, and they’ve been married for over 2 decades. She also put motherhood ahead of her career, pausing it for 20 years when she was almost 40. The star lives an ordinary life with her family on a rural ranch where she secretly married her spouse.
Julia Roberts, the iconic Hollywood actress known for her roles in films like Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich, and My Best Friend’s Wedding, has found her own version of a fairy tale far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. After achieving incredible success in her acting career, Roberts has spent the past few decades focusing on her role as a mother and wife.
In the early spring of 2000, Julia Roberts met her now-husband, Daniel Moder, a cameraman, on the set of “The Mexican.” However, both were in relationships at the time. While the actress was dating fellow actor Benjamin Bratt, Daniel was married to makeup artist Vera Steimberg Moder, whom he was with for four years.
Some people close to the cinematographer’s family said his marriage to his ex-wife was strained, but the bond he started building with Julia pushed him to file for divorce from Vera in June 2001.
Meanwhile, the “Pretty Woman” star was a frequent patron of the restaurants and shops near her lower Manhattan apartment when she was dating Benjamin, but things changed after they broke up. When she began seeing Daniel after his divorce, she was rarely seen at her usual spots.
Julia Roberts and Benjamin Bratt at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California in 2001. | Source: Getty Images
Julia Roberts and her husband Danny Moder leave the “Punch-Drunk Love” screening during the 10th Annual New York Film Festival in New York City on October 5, 2002 | Source: Getty Images
The star lived a simple life at the ranch where she’d walk her many dogs, bond with neighbors, get takeout at Taos Cow, or dance and make out in the evening with Daniel at the Alley Cantina. It seemed the couple’s relationship was more than a fleeting romance.
Julia’s alleged friend described the couple as loving, solid, and nonjudgmental. Speaking about his experience with Julia when they were still dating, Benjamin, who married Talisa Soto, his “Piñero” co-star, in May 2002, mentioned how he never liked the fame Julia had.
He once told Vanity Fair, “It’s like a fly that won’t leave you alone; it’s that mosquito that buzzes in your ear when you’re trying to sleep at night.”
The pair, who’d become romantic, divided their time between Julia’s more than $5 million Taos ranch and Daniel’s Los Angeles apartment. The actress bought the ranch in 1995 as a retreat from Hollywood life.
However, according to a friend, Daniel was different because he liked every “facet” of who Julia was and accepted it. The friend described the cameraman as supportive and as someone who celebrated the actress for who she was.
Becoming a Mother at 39
Julia Roberts became a mother for the first time later in life, welcoming twins Hazel and Phinnaeus in 2004 when she was 39 years old. She and her husband, cinematographer Daniel Moder, whom she married in 2002, added a third child, Henry, to their family in 2007. Becoming a mother was a transformative experience for Roberts, who had long dreamed of having a family. She has often described motherhood as her greatest joy and priority, saying that it changed her life in the most profound and beautiful ways.
Life at the Rustic Ranch
To give her children a more grounded upbringing, Roberts and Moder decided to move away from the hustle of Los Angeles. They settled in a rustic ranch in Malibu, California, a place where they could enjoy privacy and nature. The ranch life allows Roberts and her family to live more simply and peacefully, away from the constant scrutiny of Hollywood. This lifestyle choice reflects her desire to create a nurturing and stable environment for her kids, emphasizing family time, outdoor activities, and a sense of normalcy.
Focus on Family and Happiness
Roberts has chosen to take a step back from her hectic acting schedule to focus on raising her children and enjoying life with her husband. She still acts occasionally, choosing projects that resonate with her, but her primary focus has been her family. The couple’s long-lasting marriage of over 22 years is a testament to their strong bond and commitment to one another. They share a deep connection that has weathered the ups and downs of life in the public eye.
Living Her Dream
Today, Julia Roberts is living the dream she always envisioned—a fulfilling life centered around her loved ones. Despite being one of the most recognized faces in Hollywood, she has managed to carve out a private and content life. Her story is one of finding happiness in simplicity, valuing personal relationships over career ambitions, and creating a loving, secure home for her children.
