Does Eva Longoria Have Kids? Family and Children Explained

The Short Answer

Yes, Eva Longoria has one child. The actress is the mother of a son, Santiago Enrique Bastón, born June 19, 2018. Santiago's father is Longoria's husband, Mexican businessman José Bastón, whom she married in 2016. Longoria, born Eva Jacqueline Longoria Bastón on March 15, 1975, in Corpus Christi, Texas, became a mother at 43 and has called Santiago the greatest joy of her life.

She gained popularity as Isabella Braña on The Young and the Restless (2001–2003) before her breakthrough as Gabrielle Solis on ABC's Desperate Housewives (2004–2012), earning two Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Golden Globe nomination. She has since become an accomplished producer and director.

Who Is Eva Longoria?

Eva Jacqueline Longoria Bastón was born on March 15, 1975, in Corpus Christi, Texas, the youngest of four sisters in a Mexican-American family. After winning Miss Corpus Christi USA in 1998, she moved to Los Angeles, landing guest roles before her 2001 casting as Isabella Braña on The Young and the Restless.

Her breakthrough came as the materialistic former model Gabrielle Solis on ABC's Desperate Housewives (2004–2012), one of the biggest TV hits of the 2000s. The role earned her a Golden Globe nomination and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Her film credits include The Sentinel (2006), Overboard (2018, winning an Imagen Award) and a celebrated guest arc on Hulu's Only Murders in the Building (2024), which earned her a third SAG Award for ensemble.

Early Life and Birthday

Eva Longoria was born on March 15, 1975, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Ella Eva Mireles and Enrique Longoria Jr. The youngest of four daughters, she grew up on the family's ranch, raised alongside her sisters — including her eldest sister Liza, who has special needs and whom Eva has championed throughout her life. She earned a kinesiology degree from Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

After winning a local beauty pageant led to Los Angeles, she spent years in small roles before The Young and the Restless gave her a steady gig. When Desperate Housewives premiered in 2004, the 29-year-old became an overnight star — and one of the most prominent Latina actresses on American television.

Children and Family

Eva Longoria has one child: her son Santiago Enrique Bastón, born June 19, 2018, in Los Angeles. His father is her husband José Bastón, the former president of Televisa Internacional, whom she married in May 2016 in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. Longoria was 43 when Santiago was born, and she has spoken about how fulfilling late motherhood has been — bringing Santi, now 8, to sets, premieres and even the Cannes Film Festival.

Longoria is also a devoted aunt and remains extremely close to her three sisters, especially Liza. The family gathers frequently in Texas and Mexico, and Longoria has said her sisters keep her grounded despite Hollywood life.

Relationships and Marriage

Eva Longoria has been married to Mexican media executive José Bastón since May 21, 2016. They met through mutual friends in 2013, and Bastón proposed in Dubai in December 2015. Their wedding in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, was attended by celebrity friends including Victoria Beckham and Ricky Martin. Bastón has three older children from a previous marriage, making Longoria a stepmother as well.

Previously, Longoria was married to actor Tyler Christopher (2002–2004) and to NBA star Tony Parker (2007–2011); the Parker divorce, amid cheating allegations, was tabloid fodder. Her marriage to Bastón — now a decade strong — is widely seen as her happiest chapter.

Career Highlights

Longoria's career spans acting, producing and directing. Desperate Housewives made her a global star; she leveraged it into producing (Devious Maids) and directing — her feature directorial debut Flamin' Hot (2023), the story of the Flamin' Hot Cheetos creator, premiered to acclaim and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. She has directed episodes of Black-ish, The Mick and Grand Hotel.

Her honors include two SAG Awards for Desperate Housewives, a third for Only Murders in the Building, an Imagen Award for Overboard and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2018). Off screen, she founded the Eva Longoria Foundation supporting Latina education and entrepreneurship, and she is a prominent Democratic activist.

Desperate Housewives and Directing Breakthrough

Desperate Housewives (2004–2012) was one of the biggest TV hits of the 2000s, and Longoria's Gabrielle Solis — the materialistic former model with a heart — earned her a Golden Globe nomination and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Her film work includes The Sentinel, Overboard (2018, winning an Imagen Award) and a celebrated 2024 guest arc on Hulu's Only Murders in the Building, which brought her a third SAG Award.

Her directing career is the real story: episodes of Black-ish, The Mick and Grand Hotel led to her feature debut Flamin' Hot (2023) — the crowd-pleasing story of the Flamin' Hot Cheetos creator — which premiered to acclaim and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. She received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2018.

Activism, Foundation and Late Motherhood

Longoria founded the Eva Longoria Foundation supporting Latina education and entrepreneurship, and she is one of Hollywood's most prominent political activists — campaigning for Democratic candidates, speaking at conventions and advocating for immigration reform. She earned a master's degree in Chicano Studies from Cal State Northridge while starring on Desperate Housewives.

She became a mother at 43 — son Santiago (born 2018) with husband José Bastón (married 2016) — and has called late motherhood a gift, bringing Santi to sets and premieres. Also a successful restaurateur and businesswoman, she remains close to her three sisters in Texas. At 51, she has evolved from TV star to respected director-producer and activist.

Master's Degree and Political Voice

While starring on Desperate Housewives, Eva Longoria earned a master's degree in Chicano Studies from Cal State Northridge — writing her thesis on the educational experiences of Mexican-American women. The achievement, completed at the height of her fame, reflected a seriousness that surprised Hollywood and foreshadowed her activist career.

She has been one of entertainment's most prominent political voices: co-chair of Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign, speaker at Democratic conventions, founder of the Latino Victory Project, and advocate for immigration reform and Latina entrepreneurship through her foundation. Married to José Bastón since 2016, mother of Santiago (8), director of the acclaimed Flamin' Hot — at 51, Longoria's résumé spans academia, activism, business and art.

Lesser-Known Facts About Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria won Miss Corpus Christi USA in 1998 — the pageant that brought her to Los Angeles and launched everything. She earned a kinesiology degree from Texas A&M-Kingsville, then a master's in Chicano Studies while starring on Desperate Housewives. She grew up on a family ranch in Texas as the youngest of four sisters.

Her eldest sister Liza has special needs, and Eva has been her lifelong champion — crediting Liza with teaching her compassion. She founded the Eva Longoria Foundation for Latina education and co-founded the Latino Victory Project. A successful restaurateur (Beso) and producer, she became a mother at 43 with son Santiago (8). At 51, married to José Bastón since 2016, she is Hollywood's most credentialed activist-actress.

Where Is Eva Longoria Now?

Today, Eva Longoria balances directing projects with raising 8-year-old Santiago, often sharing glimpses of their life between Los Angeles, Mexico and Spain. At 51, married to José Bastón since 2016, she has evolved from TV star to respected director-producer — and, by her own account, the role she cherishes most is Santi's mom.

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