Julia Roberts Does Her Own Cooking, Takes Her Kids to School, Walks the Dogs and Values a Simple Life More Than an Oscar
Julia Roberts is not like most people who live in Hollywood. She doesn’t post adorable pictures of her children every week, nor does she announce her whereabouts on Twitter. She prefers to live without social media or the fans’ attention, enjoying her not-glamorous but happy life as a wife and mom.
“Unglamorous” life
In the early noughties, Julia Roberts was at the height of her popularity. At the time, a huge box-office hit would be released, starring her, at least once a year. The actress led a glamorous lifestyle, pretty much inhabiting fashion boutiques and luxury restaurants in Manhattan. Then she met Daniel Moder, and her life was turned upside down.
In her previous relationships, the actress had been repeatedly burned due to her popularity. Men didn’t want to be in her shadow. But for the cinematographer, his partner’s success was not a problem. He fully embraced it, as a result, conquering the heart of the Hollywood beauty. Roberts, in turn, moved into his modest flat in Los Angeles. Just yesterday she was a famous party girl, and now she preferred long walks hand-in-hand with her unfamous boyfriend.
The actress was quickly drawn into the “unglamorous” life. On their wedding day, she was quick to shed her expensive designer dress so that she could return to her guests in casual jeans and start cooking for them. “It was just like a backyard barbecue at anybody’s home in America,” guests said.
The couple’s friends embraced the spirit of the festivities. Bruce Willis, for example, played the harmonica. And by midnight, Roberts turned on the disco and hit the dance floor. You have to agree, it’s an odd ceremony for Hollywood stars. But their wedding was a great example of what their future life would be like.
“Timely” motherhood
The actress got married at 35 and two years later became a first-time mom. In an interview, Roberts revealed why she didn’t have children sooner: “By the time we had kids, I had accomplished things and felt secure about that part of my life, I was so joyful moving into the family phase of my life in a sincere way.”
Not many actresses managed to get back on track after maternity. But for the “pretty woman,” this was no threat. Directors were queuing up with offers for her to star in their films. But Julia decided that they could wait, fully immersing herself in motherhood.
After having twins, the actress was in no hurry to return to work. “I don’t need to seem cool and interesting and crazy and on the edge,” she explained. Roberts simply dreamed of retreating with her husband and twins to a ranch in New Mexico, away from everyone and enjoying a new phase of her life. She became so involved in her new role as a mother, that three years later, she gave birth to another child.
A full-time mom
Roberts has had many highlights and accomplishments in her life, including an Oscar, the title of the most beautiful woman in the world, and the highest-paid actress. But, you know what she finds truly rewarding? “Usually the triumph of my day is everybody making it to the potty,” joked the mom-of-three.
Instead of loud applause — children’s laughter, instead of acting in front of the camera — sewing trousers for the little ones. Who would have thought it, but Julia Roberts turned out to be a jack-of-all-trades. She’s mastered the sewing machine, she says, to keep her brain firm. And as a bonus, she’s got exclusive pieces in her wardrobe.
“My kids think I’m a fantastic cook!” That’s one of the achievements the actress proudly shares with the world. Today, her eldest children are 18, and her youngest is 15. Maternity leave is long gone, but the habit of being a homemaker and giving her family lots of attention has remained.
Roberts considers herself more of a housewife than an actress. There are days, she says, when you just finish cleaning the kitchen after breakfast and have to start preparing lunch, and then, before you know it, dinner is on the horizon. This scenario is probably familiar to most parents with many children. On the other hand, Julia says, sometimes the whole family gets involved in the household chores, turning the day into one big celebration.
The point, according to the actress, is to immerse yourself completely in the role of a mother. Otherwise, why take it on at all? “You don’t want to be spending time with your kids while having one eye on your phone. You want to be able to have undivided attention with them,” the star shares her life philosophy using this simple example. She has built an unbreakable wall between her work and her children by trying not to combine the two together.
Julia and Daniel never brought their young kids to the red carpet, as is common in Hollywood. The couple hid any details of their personal lives. It wasn’t until 2021 that their then-17-year-old daughter appeared with her father at the Cannes Film Festival.
Julia Roberts says she only decided to become a mom when she realized that she’d met the perfect partner for parenthood. Today, more than 20 years later, they have proven to be a truly cohesive team.
And yet, at times, like any mom, the actress is haunted by the question: “Sometimes I get gripped with fear of blowing it. And sometimes I’ve just said to my kids, ‘So today, me as a mom? Can we just take that off the board because I blew it.’” And you must admit, it’s great to have someone around who will say, “you’re doing everything right.”