Richard Gere: The Real Story Behind the Star

Richard Gere has been a headline name for decades, earning his place as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors. Over a career that stretches more than six decades, he’s led box-office hits like An Officer and a Gentleman, Pretty Woman, and Chicago. Off screen his love life has kept tabloids busy, with romances, marriages, and surprises along the way. Recently he became a father again at 70 with his wife Alejandra Silva, proving his story still has a few shocks left.

From Pennsylvania Kid to Syracuse Teen

Born Richard Tiffany Gere on August 31, 1949 in Philadelphia, he grew up the oldest boy and second child in a close family. His father, Homer, sold insurance while his mother, Doris, ran the household, and young Richard already stood out. He moved early to Syracuse, New York, where teachers noticed his charisma and talents in gymnastics and music. Even then it was clear he had star quality, though the road ahead would twist and turn.

College Gymnastics, Philosophy, and Zen

Gere won a gymnastics scholarship to the University of Massachusetts Amherst and studied philosophy for two years before leaving to pursue acting. He cut his teeth at the Seattle Repertory Theatre and the Provincetown Playhouse, building stage experience that led to bigger doors. Around the same time he began studying Zen under Roshi Kyozan Joshu Sasaki, an interest that deepened after meeting the Dalai Lama. That spiritual path would stay with him through all the ups and downs.

Stage Breakthrough to Hollywood Heartthrob

Gere moved from stage hits like Grease and Bent into movies in the mid 1970s, earning praise for roles in Days of Heaven and Looking for Mr. Goodbar. His turn in American Gigolo and then An Officer and a Gentleman made him a bona fide star, and he became a tabloid favorite. High-profile relationships followed, including Penelope Milford, artist Sylvia Martins, and a much-publicized marriage to Cindy Crawford in 1991 that ended in 1995. Through it all he kept choosing parts that interested him rather than chasing box-office gold.

Late-Career Wins and New Fatherhood

Gere bounced back with hits like Pretty Woman and Chicago, the latter winning him a Golden Globe and showing his willingness to learn new skills, like tap dancing. He moved into acclaimed independent work with films such as Arbitrage and Norman, picking up career honors along the way. After a long, contested divorce from Carey Lowell, he found love with Alejandra Silva, married her in 2018 and became a father twice more, including at age 70. Throughout, his Buddhist faith and calm outlook have been a steady anchor.

First Love

In 1971, Richard Gere was making a respectable name for himself as an actor in the thespian scene, starring in various stage shows. But it wasn’t just audiences and critics that were falling for his unique charms—it was also fellow actors and actresses. Most notably was actress Penelope Milford, who Gere began dating around this time. The two were very much in love, but Gere was about to discover a true calling even greater than his passion for his relationship.

Zen Master

Ever since he had studied philosophy in college, Richard Gere had been fascinated with searching for true meaning in life. So in the early 70s, he began studying Zen Buddhism under the famous Roshi, Kyozan Joshu Sasaki. “I had a kind of magical experience with Sasaki Roshi,” he said to Lion’s Roar. “A reality experience. I realized, this is work, this is work. It’s not about flying through the air; it’s not about any of the magic or the romance. It’s serious work on your mind. That was an important part of the path for me.”

Treading the Boards

But just because the young Richard Gere was getting involved in and inspired by the Buddhist teachings, that didn’t mean he lost interest in his more worldly pursuits. In fact, 1973 saw Gere’s first major stage role, appearing in the original production of Grease in London’s West End. This would prove to be a stepping stone for Gere, from theater work into the bright lights of Hollywood movies, and eventually becoming the heartthrob that everyone in the world knows and loves today.

Movie Star

Sure enough, the mid 1970s saw Gere making his first forays into movie roles. His first role was actually in 1974’s The Lords of Flatbush, but he left the cast after a reported dispute with co-star Sylvester Stallone. But this didn’t stand in his way—in 1977 he appeared in Looking for Mr. Goodbar, and followed this up with a starring role in Terrence Malick’s critically acclaimed Days of Heaven in 1978. Gere was well and truly on his way to Hollywood stardom—and things were taking an exciting turn in his personal life, too.

New Love

Having been dating fellow actress Penelope Milford on and off since 1971, Richard Gere revealed in 1978 that the two were no longer together. Rumors abounded as to who might hold Gere’s heart now, and sure enough, he was soon spotted stepping out with a woman called Sylvia Martins, a respected artist and painter from Brazil. Martins was also a practicing Buddhist, which meant that their relationship was about to bring new inspiration into Gere’s personal life in more ways than one.

Spiritual Guidance

Sure enough, Gere and Sylvia Martins didn’t just connect over their mutual attraction and natural chemistry. They also found a deep kindred spirit in one another because they were both interested in Buddhism, and wanted to explore this together in their lives. That’s why in 1978, the couple travelled to Nepal, where they met many monks and lamas of Buddhism to learn even more. But his next encounter would truly change his life forever.

True Legend

By this point, Gere had already met several revered spiritual leaders and teachers of Buddhism. But it was his next encounter, a meeting with the Dalai Lama in India, that would truly put him on his spiritual path. “It completely changed my life the first time I was in the presence of His Holiness,” Gere recalled. “No question about it… it quite naturally felt that this was what I was supposed to do—work with these teachers, work within this lineage, learn whatever I could, bring myself to it. In spite of varying degrees of seriousness and commitment since then, I haven’t really fallen out of that path.”

Groundbreaking

And it wasn’t just his own life that Gere was working hard to change over the course of his journey. Back in the world of showbiz, the young actor chose his roles based on what could make a positive difference in the world, and his 1979 starring role on Broadway did just that. In the stage production of Bent, Gere became one of the first Hollywood stars to play a gay character, starring as a gay man being persecuted in Nazi Germany. Gere’s performance received great critical acclaim, and he won a Theatre World Award for his portrayal of the character.

Critical Acclaim

And more awards were on the horizon for this up-and-coming Hollywood star. In 1980 Gere starred in the crime drama American Gigolo, which made him more of a household name, before taking the leading role in 1982’s An Officer and a Gentleman, for which he also learned the martial art of karate. This movie was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning two, and saw Gere received his first Golden Globe Award nomination. It was official—Richard Gere was a bona fide Hollywood megastar. A showbiz black belt, you might say.

Off the Track

Unlike many famous Hollywood stars, Richard Gere did not choose his movie roles based on what he thought would be best for his career or make him the most money. No, that wasn’t what inspired this particular actor. Gere chose his roles based on what interested him, or what he thought would be an important story to tell the world. That’s why for much of the 80s, Gere wasn’t spotted in as many super blockbusters, preferring to focus on smaller and less commercial projects. But that didn’t mean that the media was any less fascinated by the rumors around his personal life.

Hollywood Heartthrob

During this time, as well as becoming a bona fide mega star and media darling, Richard Gere became known as somewhat of a heartthrob and rumored ladies man. Over this period, he was linked with leading ladies such as Susan Sarandon, Tuesday Weld, Carole Mallory, Dawn Steel, Loree Rodkin, Diane von Furstenberg, Barbara Carrera, and Barbra Streisand. Phew! It looked like this Hollywood hunk was a very busy man during those years—or at least the rumor mill was in full swing! Gere had no idea that he would end up settling down much later in life—and becoming a father again at the ripe old age of 70.

Rumor Mill

And those weren’t the only women that Richard Gere was rumored to have had romantic dalliances over the years. The ex-partners of Priscilla Presley and Kim Basinger both accused Gere of having affairs with them, both publishing tell-all books claiming to expose the secret romances—Priscilla, Elvis and Me by Michael Edwards, and Kim Basinger: Longer than Forever by Ron Snyder. Gere never confirmed the rumors, but the saucy stories in both of the books suggest that there was more to these encounters than meets the eye.

Ladies’ Man

As the years went on, the media continued to be fascinated with the possible leading ladies of Gere’s life. Though he preferred to concentrate on his work and his spiritual exploration, speculation over Gere’s private and romantic life continued to whirr the rumor mill, with him being linked with a number of women over the years. Famous faces such as Laura Bailey, Tina Chow, Dalila Di Lazzaro, and Padma Lakshmi are just some of the celebs that Gere was linked to during these times. However, the showbiz star’s career was about to outshine any rumors of romance.

Back on Top

Having taken some time out of the spotlight, Gere found himself experiencing somewhat of a career resurgence in 1990. That year, he starred in the movie Internal Affairs, which was met with wide praise from critics. But it was the second film of that year that saw him put firmly back on the Hollywood A-list. That was of course Pretty Woman, starring alongside Julia Roberts. Gere not only starred in the film, but he composed the movie’s theme song himself on the piano. And his hard work paid off—he received his second Golden Globe nomination for his performance.

Showbiz Darling

Over the next few years, Richard Gere continued to cement himself as one of the true greats of Hollywood, and always surprised audiences with new and hitherto undiscovered skills. In the 1990s he starred in a number of blockbusters such as 1993’s Sommersby alongside Jodie Foster, 1996’s Primal Fear, and 1999’s Runaway Bride, reuniting with his favorite co-star Julia Roberts. And of course, the chemistry between the pair led to rumors that things were getting more than just friendly behind the scenes.

Pretty Woman

Having starred in two blockbuster romantic movies together, the chemistry between Richard Gere and Julia Roberts was undeniable to anyone who had seen the pair on screen. And so inevitably, rumors started to whirl that the two of them were more than just friends in real life. However, it looked like the starry pair were nothing more than platonic, with Gere telling the Guardian, “Julia and I will always be connected.” Though the two were nothing more than friends, he added that he talks to her “all the time”. This would undoubtedly be welcome news for the next woman to come into Gere’s life…

Model Marriage

After years of speculation around his romantic life, Richard Gere finally put the rumors to rest—breaking millions of hearts along the way—when he confirmed that he was in a relationship with supermodel Cindy Crawford. In 1991, the celebrity power couple tied the knot, jumping on a last-minute private jet to Vegas and exchanging vows at the legendary Church of the West chapel. Rumor has it that the wedding was so spontaneous, they sported rings made out of silver foil! "It wasn’t the wedding I dreamed of,” Crawford laughed in an interview with Oprah Winfrey. “It was so last minute."

Dream Couple

At first, it seemed that Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford were a match made in heaven. Crawford opened up to Oprah that Gere is the one who taught her how to deal with fame, and treat fans in a respectful yet boundaried way. “When I would see how he was with fans… I got to look to him to see how he created boundaries… It was really just about making that connection, looking someone in the eyes and making sure that they felt seen." But behind the scenes, all was not well with this celebrity power couple.

Celeb Split

Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere were one of the biggest celeb couples in history. Both super famous in their own right, the glittering pair were the darling of the Hollywood scene and the paparazzi’s hottest property. But in 1995, fans were devastated when the power couple announced that they were divorcing, citing their 15-year age difference. "I think I was more willing at 22 to be, like, 'Okay, I'll follow,'” Crawford said of how she changed during the relationship. “But then you start going, 'Well, I don't want to just follow—I want to lead sometimes and I want to walk side by side sometimes.'"

Global Recognition

Splitting up after four years of marriage, the celeb couple must have been devastated. But for Richard Gere, he didn’t have much time to dwell on his grief over the collapse of his marriage—as he was still busy starring in a variety of blockbuster movies. Not only that, but in 1999 he received an unexpected and flattering accolade—being named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1999. Coming out of a divorce, it must be nice to know that you are the most desired man on the planet! But it would be the affections of one particular person that would change Gere’s life around.

New Model

Around this time, Gere found himself lucky in love once again—ignoring the tabloid rumors around his love life, he focused on finding a meaningful relationship. And this came with another model and actress, the famous Bond girl Carey Lowell. The two fell in love and began dating around 1999, before welcoming a son, Homer James Jigme Gere in February 2000. At the ripe old age of 50, Gere was delighted to become a father—but he had no idea he would have this blessing once again even later in life.

Golden Gere

The next few years saw Richard Gere starring in even more hit movies, cementing his position as box office gold. In 2002 he appeared in both The Mothman Prophecies and Unfaithful, before hitting on one of his most successful films of all time, Chicago. In typical Gere form, he learned to tap dance specifically for the role. And the hard work paid off—Chicago won six Academy Awards, and Gere won his first Golden Globe Award for his performance.

Wedding Bells

It seemed that life was truly back on top for Richard Gere. A critically acclaimed actor, with one of the most prestigious awards in showbusiness under his belt, what more could he possibly want? Well, things were about to get even better—because in 2002, he tied the knot with his long-term love Carey Lowell. “Our marriage is brilliant because of Carey,” he gushed to People magazine. “She’s a fellow traveler with me on the voyage. We’re partners, honest mirrors in which to see ourselves and grow and change. We help each other. It is love without ego.”

Yin and Yang

Richard Gere seemed to take a characteristically zen approach to his marriage and home life. “Happiness is not about being loved, it’s about loving someone else,” he shared with People. “I’m talking about genuine love with a committed partner … Because she is there, you grow, you feel more. You have greater compassion. Real love frees you. It breaks the bonds of selfishness. It makes you larger.” Even though both partners in the marriage seemed to be growing and thriving in their happy love, the truth was a very different destiny was in store for them.

Box Office Bust

As things were going so well for Gere in both his professional and personal life, it seemed inevitable that his fortune would take a turn for the worse. Sure enough, in 2008 Gere starred alongside Diane Lane in the romantic drama Nights in Rodanthe, which ended up being widely regarded as the worst film of Gere’s career. Panned by critics, the movie made The Times’ “Worst Films of 2008” list. This was a terrible blow for Gere, and led him to seek project outside of the major studio networks going forward. Little did he know this would end up being a blessing in disguise.

Mr. Independent

Over the next few years, Richard Gere focused solely on starring in independent projects, rather than major studio productions. For his role as Robert Miller in 2012’s Arbitrage, he received his fourth Golden Globe nomination, with the New York Post calling it “the best performance of his career" That same year, Gere was recognized with two major honors: the Golden Starfish Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Hamptons International Film Festival, and the Career Achievement Award from the Hollywood Film Awards. It was clear that leaving the mainstream film studios had only served to strengthen his career and acclaim.

Serious Success

Gere continued to break boundaries and take on new challenges with a variety of interesting film roles, cementing his place as a talented and serious character actor. His role in the political drama Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer saw him win even greater acclaim, with Variety listing him as a worthy Academy Award contender for that year. However, though things in his career were at new heights, Gere’s personal life also underwent some turmoil during these years.

Heartbreak Hotel

Despite how in love they had seemed, and boasting one of Hollywood’s strongest and longest-lasting showbiz marriages, in September 2013 Gere announced that he and Carey Lowell were separating after 11 years. A hotly contested divorce settlement saw both Gere and Lowell in court for over three years, finally coming to an agreement in October 2016. The terms of their agreement were never made public, but it was thought that the dispute was over how to split the fortune and assets—which created rumors of their own…

Home Sweet Home

Before their marriage had come to an end, Gere and Lowell lived together in one of the most impressive and luxurious celeb homes. Strongheart Manor, a 12,000-square-foot, 12-bedroom property in North Haven, Connecticut, boasted among other things an “outdoor fireplace pavilion,” 300 feet of waterfront, and a teahouse. The couple put the luxury pad on the market when it became clear it was no longer a happy home—with valuers estimating it at a whopping $65 million. Wowzer! With riches like that, it’s no wonder it took three years to divvy up.

True Inspiration

Despite the ups and downs of his personal life, and the heartbreak of separating from his wife after 11 years of marriage, Richard Gere always had one source of inspiration and comfort that he could rely on at all times—his faith. A committed Buddhist, Gere makes regular trips to Dharamshala, where his spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama lives. “Beings such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama rarely come to our world,” he said to Lion’s Roar. “But they do most certainly come when we need them the most.”

Learning to Love Again

Sure enough, Richard Gere’s faith and perseverance carried through the dark times, and he eventually found true love once again. In April 2018, he married Spanish activist Alejandra Silva who was 35 at the time—the third marriage for the Hollywood legend. “Today is the day I married the most wonderful man I have ever met,” Silva wrote on her Instagram page. “I know it sounds cliché but it’s true!! Comes from my heart, I’m so proud to be with you, to share this life with you, to be the mother of our children, to be your friend, to be your Wife! You make me sooo happy!”

Blushing Bridegroom

And it wasn’t just Alejandra Silva who had gushing words of love to say about her new spouse—Gere effused similarly about his new love in an interview with The Times. When asked if it was love at first sight, he responded that it was, “instant from my side. I instantly became happy just looking at her. It was one of those powerful things … I’ve been married three times, but it didn’t happen with the kind of power of this one.”

Finding Peace

Even though Richard Gere had long been associated with the calm and inspirational Zen of a traditional Buddhist, he opened up that it was only once he married Silva that he found true inner peace. "I have found the quiet and happy life that I have always sought," he said to Spanish magazine HOLA!. His wife said the same thing, adding, "I was a little lost, without light, and knowing him gave meaning to my life. It was feeling that someone was reaching out and showing me my true path." And their blessings were only about to increase—in more ways than one.

Pitter Patter

In August 2018, Gere’s new lease of life continued with a very happy—and unexpected announcement. Silva posted a photo on her Instagram page of herself and her husband visiting the Dalai Lama—and showing off a beautiful baby bump! “A very special moment just a few minutes ago,” she wrote. “Getting blessings for our precious to come… We couldn’t say it before telling HH Dalai Lama.” In February 2019, their son Alexander was welcomed into the world. Richard Gere was a father once again, at the ripe old age of 70.

Growing Family

And as if that wasn’t enough joy and blessings for the happy couple, HOLA! magazine announced in 2020 that they had welcomed another child, also a son. The family kept a low profile during the pregnancy, preferring to remain out of the public eye and media scrutiny, welcoming the child in a home birth at their home in Pound Ridge, New York, where they also held their wedding. At 71 years old, Richard Gere certainly had a lot on his plate becoming a father once again!

Looking to the Future

So just what does Richard Gere think about becoming a father again so late in life? We can only imagine that in his characteristic style, he remains calm and Zen about all things in his family and private life. "I’m the happiest man in the universe,” he said to HELLO! magazine. “How could I not be? I’m married to a beautiful woman who is smart, sensitive, (and) committed to helping people.” Richard Gere’s perseverance to achieve happiness and success in both his personal and professional life, and the inner strength he draws from his faith along the way, is an inspiration to us all.

A New Home, A New Rhythm

Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva quietly moved their family to Spain, seeking a slower pace and to be closer to her roots. In preparation they sold their Connecticut house and have been settling into city life, keeping things low profile. The shift shows Gere prioritizing family and balance over keeping up a Hollywood lifestyle.

Work Still Comes First Sometimes

Gere has not retired from acting. He has been choosing projects that fit his life and values, appearing in a handful of recent films and joining a streaming spy series that returned for another run. He balances on-set commitments with family time and his long-running humanitarian work.

A Health Scare, Then Recovery

A family vacation once turned serious when Gere was hospitalized with pneumonia while away. He made a full recovery and returned to his family and work, and the episode reinforced how he values health and time with loved ones. Friends say it reminded him to slow down and appreciate simple days at home.

Charity, Activism and a New Social Voice

Gere has sharpened his public focus on causes he has long supported, from Tibetan rights to homelessness and environmental work. He began using social media more actively, mostly to highlight charitable projects and grassroots groups he and his wife support. His longtime foundation work continues to back health and education programs, keeping activism central to his life.

Family First, Career Still Burning

Gere’s life now reads as a true blend of work and family. He shares parenting with Alejandra, raises their young sons while also staying close to his older son Homer James Jigme Gere, and picks film roles that let him be present at home. The picture is simple: family at the center, acting when it matters, and steady activism alongside both.