The world fell in love with Eva Longoria as the pint-sized but fiery Gabrielle in the noughties TV hit, Desperate Housewives. Now, she’s the host of your next food and travel show obsession, Searching for Mexico.
The series, currently airing on SBS On-Demand, is a spin-off of Stanley Tucci’s wildly successful Searching For Italy, which saw the actor traverse the various regions of Italy, sampling its delicious gastronomic fare.
Longoria is now set to lead a new season around her adopted homeland of Mexico.
While Longoria has Mexican parents, she was born and raised in Texas. However, after meeting her Mexican husband José Bastón, she now splits her time between Los Angeles and Mexico City.
Longoria’s new TV gig also occasionally features her husband and son, Santiago, offering an intimate glimpse of the superstar’s life outside Hollywood.
So, who was the lucky man to capture the heart of the actress and activist?
Who Is Eva Longoria’s Husband?
Eva Longoria is married to José Bastón, a film executive and producer. He is the head of Televisa, one of the largest media companies in Latin America producing Spanish-language content.
Longoria, 48, and Bastón, 55, met in 2013—but it wasn’t exactly love at first sight.
“I was getting out of a bad relationship, and he was getting out of a relationship, so there wasn’t a connection. So, we had a pleasant conversation, but there was no real connection,” Longoria told People.
The connection didn’t happen, for Longoria at least, until six months later when they met again in the company of a mutual friend.
“It was like the cliché angels singing and there was a glow around him and it was immediate chemistry,” she told People.
“He was the most handsome man I’d ever seen. He was so charismatic, charming, sweet and funny. I thought, ‘Who is this guy?!’ “
This second meeting was followed up by a four-hour lunch date the next day, and as the saying goes—the rest was history.
Their relationship was confirmed in November, 2013, and the two made their red carpet debut at the Museo Jumex Opening.
The couple announced their engagement in December 2015, after José, whom Longoria calls ‘Pepe’, popped the question in Dubai.
The two were married in May 2016 in a private ceremony at Bastón’s home in Valle de Bravo near Mexico City.
Longoria shared the news on Instagram with a photo, alongside the words: “In our garden, surrounded by a small gathering of people we love, Pepe and I tied the knot! #TalkAboutBlessed #ImStillFloating #OmgMyFeetHurt.”
Longoria wore a dress designed by Victoria Beckham, who was also a bridesmaid.
Beckham wasn’t the only celeb in attendance, with Ricky Martin, Mario Lopez, Melanie Griffith and Vanessa Williams also reportedly in attendance.
Longoria and Bastón now live in Mexico City with their son.
As Eva explains in Searching For Mexico, Bastón was born in Mexico City, making him a ‘Chilango’—the slang term used for someone born-and-raised in the Mexican capital (it was formerly a slur but has been reclaimed as a title of pride).
Does Eva Longoria Have Kids?
Longoria and Bastón welcomed their son, Santiago Enrique Bastón, on June 19, 2018.
Eva is also stepmother to José’s three children from a previous marriage.
José had four children with his ex-wife, actress Natalia Esperón: Natalia (born February 1996), and triplets Mariana, José and Sebastian (all born November 2016), however, Sebastian died shortly after being born.
Eva Longoria’s Relationship History
Prior to marrying José in 2016, Longoria had been married twice before.
Longoria was married to actor Tyler Christopher from 2002 to 2004.
She was then married to French professional basketballer, Tony Parker, from 2007 to 2011.
How Tall is Eva Longoria?
People always want to know how tall their favourite celebs are, and Eva Longoria reportedly stands at 1.55m, or 5’1”.