Honestly, trying to pin down exactly where Cote de Pablo lives is like trying to track her NCIS character, Ziva David, on a stealth mission. She’s famously private. While most actors are busy posting their breakfast on Instagram or doing Architectural Digest home tours, Cote has basically opted out of the digital age. No Twitter. No public Facebook. Just a very quiet, very deliberate life.
But fans are asking more than ever because of the massive 2025 release of NCIS: Tony & Ziva. With her back in the spotlight, people want to know: is she still a Los Angeles local, or has she retreated to her roots?
The Los Angeles Connection
For the better part of two decades, Cote de Pablo has called Los Angeles her primary home base. It makes sense. When you’re filming 24 episodes a year of a major network drama, you can't exactly commute from another continent. She has lived comfortably in LA for years, carving out a space that feels far removed from the "glitter and glamour" of Hollywood that she’s admitted to disliking.
She’s a fan of the quiet. You won't find her at the trendy West Hollywood clubs. Instead, she’s the type to grab a coffee in a neighborhood where she can blend in.
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Why she stays in the States
Cote moved to the U.S. when she was just ten years old. She’s lived in Miami and New York, but California became the anchor for her career. She’s often expressed a deep sense of pride in her American life, specifically noting how welcoming the country has been to her as an immigrant.
The Chilean Retreat
Here is where it gets interesting. Cote doesn't just have one "home." She maintains a very strong connection to Santiago, Chile, her birthplace.
She owns a home there and visits whenever her schedule allows. For her, Chile is the place where she can truly "turn off." In interviews, she’s mentioned how much she treasures the ability to walk down the street in Santiago and go unrecognized. It’s her sanctuary.
- Primary Residence: Los Angeles, California.
- Secondary/Vacation Home: Santiago, Chile.
Living in "The Tony & Ziva" Era
The recent buzz around NCIS: Tony & Ziva has shifted the conversation. The show itself is set in Europe—specifically Paris—where Ziva and Tony are raising their daughter, Tali. This led to a flurry of rumors that Cote might have actually moved to Europe.
While the production took her abroad for filming, there is no evidence that she has permanently relocated to Paris or Budapest (where some of the series was shot). She’s a traveler, sure, but her roots remain firmly planted in the dual axis of LA and Santiago.
A Very Private Personal Life
If you’re looking for a street address or a photo of her front gate, you’re going to be disappointed. Cote is a master of "disappearing." Following her long-term relationship with actor Diego Serrano, which ended in 2015, she has kept her romantic life entirely under wraps.
There’s been plenty of speculation on Reddit and fan forums lately. Some fans claim she’s married with a son; others point to her wearing a wedding ring in recent 2025 interviews as "proof." However, Cote herself hasn't confirmed these details. She’s of the mindset that if you put too much of yourself out there, you lose the right to complain when people invade your privacy.
Basically, she lives a "normal" life. She sleeps a lot—she’s called sleep her number one beauty secret—and tries to stay healthy.
What This Means for Fans
If you’re hoping to run into her, your best bet is actually the grocery store in a quiet LA suburb or a café in Santiago. She isn't hiding; she’s just living.
Next Steps for You
- Watch the new series: If you want to see the "European" version of her life (even if it's fictional), check out NCIS: Tony & Ziva on Paramount+.
- Listen to the podcast: She co-hosted Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch with Michael Weatherly, which gives the best insight into her personality and current vibes without invading her home space.
- Respect the boundaries: Follow her lead—enjoy the work, but let the lady have her private backyard in peace.