Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes are one of the most low-key and long-lasting couples in Hollywood. The two actors have been together since 2011, when they met on the set of The Place Beyond the Pines, a crime drama in which they played a troubled pair with a son. Since then, they have welcomed two daughters of their own, Esmeralda and Amada, and have kept their relationship largely out of the public eye. They have also supported each other’s careers, with Gosling praising Mendes for her sacrifices and Mendes cheering on Gosling for his achievements.
But how did Gosling and Mendes go from co-stars to soulmates? And how do they manage to balance their family life and their fame? Here is a timeline of their romance, from their first meeting to their recent marriage confirmation.
2011: Sparks Fly on Set
Gosling and Mendes first crossed paths when they were cast in The Place Beyond the Pines, directed by Derek Cianfrance. The film, which was shot in Schenectady, New York, in the summer of 2011, tells the story of Luke (Gosling), a motorcycle stuntman who turns to bank robbery to provide for his son with Romina (Mendes), a waitress he had a fling with. The film also stars Bradley Cooper, Ray Liotta, and Ben Mendelsohn.
According to Cianfrance, Gosling and Mendes had an instant chemistry on set, and he encouraged them to improvise and explore their characters’ relationship. “They were very playful. They were very creative. They were very spontaneous. They were very in the moment,” he told PEOPLE in 2012. “They had a lot of fun. They made each other laugh constantly.”
September 2011: A Magical Date at Disneyland
Shortly after wrapping up filming, Gosling and Mendes were spotted on a date at Disneyland’s California Adventure Park, where they enjoyed cotton candy, popcorn, and rides. They were seen holding hands, laughing, and cuddling, confirming their budding romance. A source told PEOPLE at the time that they were “very playful” and “looked happy.”
November 2011: A Romantic Getaway in Paris
Gosling flew to Paris to spend Thanksgiving with Mendes, who was there shooting the film Holy Motors. The couple were photographed strolling around the city of love, visiting landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Père Lachaise Cemetery. They also shared a passionate kiss at the airport before Gosling departed.
2012: Red Carpet Appearances and Secret Dates
Gosling and Mendes made their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of The Place Beyond the Pines at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2012. They posed for photos together, looking glamorous and smitten. They also attended the film’s screenings in New York and Los Angeles, where they snuck in some kisses and hugs.
The couple also kept their relationship alive with secret dates in various cities, such as New York, Austin, Bangkok, and Montreal. They were seen dining at restaurants, shopping at markets, and riding motorcycles. They also spent time with each other’s families, with Mendes meeting Gosling’s mother Donna and sister Mandi, and Gosling meeting Mendes’s parents and siblings.
2013: Breakup Rumours and Baby Plans
In 2013, rumours swirled that Gosling and Mendes had split up, as they were rarely seen together and had busy schedules. However, the couple denied the reports and continued to date privately. They also reportedly started to plan for a family, as Mendes expressed her desire to have children. “I’m feeling the need to have a child. I’m not sure when, but I know I’ll be a mother. I love children,” she told Latina magazine in 2013.
2014: The Birth of Their First Daughter
Gosling and Mendes surprised the world when they announced that they had welcomed their first child, a daughter named Esmeralda Amada, on September 12, 2014. The couple managed to keep Mendes’s pregnancy a secret for months, avoiding the paparazzi and the media. They also chose not to reveal their daughter’s face or share any photos of her.
The couple explained the meaning behind their daughter’s name in an interview with Violet Grey in 2014
