Zoe Saldana is basically the queen of the multiverse. Between Avatar, Marvel, and Star Trek, she has spent more time in space than most NASA astronauts. But back on Earth? She’s just a mom. A mom to three boys who are growing up in a house that sounds way more interesting—and grounded—than any Hollywood movie set.
Honestly, the way she handles her family life is kinda refreshing. In an industry where "over-sharing" is the default setting, Saldana and her husband, Italian artist Marco Perego-Saldana, have drawn a very firm line in the sand. They want their kids to have a normal childhood. As normal as it can be when your mom is Neytiri and Gamora, anyway.
People are always searching for "Zoe Saldana children" to see if there are new photos or to figure out how many kids she actually has. Here is the real story behind her trio of boys and why you rarely see their faces on the red carpet.
The Unexpected Arrival of Cy, Bowie, and Zen
Zoe didn't just ease into motherhood. She dove into the deep end. In 2014, she and Marco welcomed identical twin boys, Cy Aridio and Bowie Ezio.
It wasn't a smooth ride.
The twins were born prematurely at 32 weeks. It was a scary time. Zoe has been incredibly open about how they spent the first days of their lives in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She’s described that period as a "harrowing" experience where she and Marco were at the mercy of doctors and nurses. It changed her. It made her an advocate for organizations like Brave Beginnings, which helps hospitals get the specialized equipment needed for preemie babies.
Then came Zen Anton Hilario.
His arrival in late 2016 was a total surprise to the public. One day Zoe’s posting about work, and the next, she’s announcing a third son. Because she hadn't appeared pregnant in the months leading up to it, the internet went into a frenzy. Was it a surrogate? Adoption? Zoe has hinted that his journey into their family wasn't "conventional," but she’s also made it clear that the details don't matter as much as the love. She’ll share the full story when the timing feels right for her family, and honestly, we should respect that.
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Why You Rarely See Their Faces
If you follow Zoe on Instagram, you've seen her kids. Sorta.
She’s a master of the "back of the head" shot. You’ll see them playing in the garden, running through an airport, or hugging her legs, but their faces are almost always obscured. This isn't just a quirk; it’s a deliberate choice.
Saldana has explained that she wants to give her children anonymity. She feels that since they didn't choose to be famous, they shouldn't have to deal with the scrutiny of the public eye until they are old enough to decide for themselves.
"We have to choose for them and part of that is giving them the anonymity that they need so that they can feel safe."
It’s about protection. It’s about letting them be kids without a camera lens constantly tracking their every move. However, in February 2025, she made a rare exception. She brought all three boys—Cy, Bowie, and Zen—to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. They looked like her mini-mes in matching dark jackets and white sneakers. It was a huge moment for fans who had only seen the tops of their heads for a decade!
A Trilingual, Gender-Fluid Household
Life at the Saldana-Perego house isn't your typical American upbringing. It’s a mix of cultures, languages, and a very modern approach to parenting.
The Language Barrier (Or Lack Thereof)
The boys are being raised trilingual. Yes, three languages.
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- English (for their life in the U.S.)
- Spanish (to honor Zoe’s Dominican and Puerto Rican roots)
- Italian (for Marco’s heritage)
Imagine the dinner conversations. It’s a beautiful way to keep them connected to their ancestors. Zoe has often talked about how important it is for them to understand where they come from. One of the twins even has the middle name Aridio, a tribute to Zoe’s late father.
Redefining Masculinity
This is where it gets really interesting. Zoe and Marco are very intentional about raising their sons in a "gender-fluid" environment.
This doesn't mean what some of the tabloids think it means. It basically means they don't do "boy chores" and "girl chores." There are no "Mama's boys" or "Daddy’s girls" labels. If Marco wants to do the vacuuming and Zoe wants to be the "bad cop" with discipline, they swap.
They also don't push traditional "masculine" stereotypes. Zoe once shared a story about the twins saying "boys are stronger than girls." She stopped everything to have a conversation about why that isn't true. She wants them to see women—and themselves—as multifaceted humans, not just roles in a script.
Even the family name reflects this. When they got married, Marco took Zoe’s last name (becoming Marco Perego-Saldana), and she took his. They are a unit.
The Reality of Being a "Boy Mom"
Despite the fame, Zoe deals with the same chaos every other parent does. She’s joked about the smell of dirty diapers and the "sleepless nights" that come with raising three active boys.
She recently mentioned on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that one of her sons is already asking when he can listen to Kendrick Lamar. She told him maybe when he’s 14 or 15. He’s 10. Typical mom move, right? She’s also the one giving them haircuts on her only day off.
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It’s these little details that make her so relatable. She might be a Hollywood heavyweight, but she’s also just a woman trying to make sure her kids don't grow up to be jerks.
Lessons from Zoe’s Parenting Journey
There is actually a lot we can learn from the way Zoe handles her family. It’s not just about being a celebrity; it’s about intentionality.
- Privacy is a Currency: In the age of TikTok and "sharenting," Zoe’s commitment to her kids' anonymity is a reminder that we don't owe the world every detail of our children's lives.
- Culture Matters: Teaching children multiple languages and honoring heritage through names creates a strong sense of identity.
- Break the Mold: Whether it’s name-changing or gender roles, you don't have to follow the "traditional" path if it doesn't fit your family.
- Advocacy through Pain: She turned her scary NICU experience into a way to help other parents. That’s how you find purpose in a crisis.
Zoe Saldana’s children are growing up in a world of art, language, and fierce protection. While we might not get a "day in the life" vlog from them anytime soon, it’s clear they are being raised with a lot of thought and even more love.
If you're looking to apply some of Zoe's "privacy-first" logic to your own life, start by auditing your social media. Think about what your kids might want their digital footprint to look like in ten years. Sometimes, the most "expert" parenting move is simply knowing when to put the phone away and just be present.
Next time you see a blurry photo of three boys running through a park on Zoe’s feed, just know they’re probably arguing about Kendrick Lamar or practicing their Italian—and they’re doing it exactly the way their mom intended: in peace.
Actionable Insights for Parents:
- Value Anonymity: Consider blurring faces or using "back-view" photos if you want to share family moments while protecting your child's future digital identity.
- Bicultural Literacy: If you have a multilingual household, consistency is key. Speak the "minority" language at home to ensure kids actually pick it up.
- Ditch the Labels: Try swapping traditional household roles for a week to show your kids that "work" and "care" aren't gender-specific.