Who Is Richard Gere's Wife? All About Alejandra Silva

Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva turned heads in 2018 when they got married and announced plans to start a family despite their 33-year age difference.

A photo of the Dalai Lama blessing Silva's baby bump served as their first pregnancy announcement. Just nine months after their son's birth, they announced a second baby was on the way.

A source close to the couple told PEOPLE at the time that the two were "extraordinarily happy."

"They're so comfortable with each other, have fun together and are looking forward to their future together," the insider told PEOPLE.

Indeed, the couple looked comfortable together when they stepped out on Jan. 17, 2023, for a special screening of Gere's movie, Maybe I Do in New York City. The pair were seen holding hands and wrapping their arms around one another as they posed for photos.

So, who is the leading lady in Richard Gere's life? Here's everything to know about the actor's third wife, Alejandra Silva, and their relationship.

RELATED VIDEO: Richard Gere Marries Spanish Girlfriend Alejandra Silva: 'They're Extraordinarily Happy'

She runs a foundation to combat homelessness in Spain

Silva runs Rais Fundacion, a nonprofit aiming to eradicate homelessness in Spain in five years (the word "rais" means roots in Spanish). The activist often speaks about her mission, and she told Hola! in 2015 that she has gone method to understand the problems homeless people face in her country.

"I've slept on the street to understand the struggle of the homeless," Silva said. "I'm not scared of rolling up my sleeves and diving into work. If I do something, I put 100% effort in. If I can't, I'd rather not do it."

Her dad is a successful businessman and soccer club VP

Silva's dad, Ignacio Silva Botas, was the vice president of Spanish soccer club Real Madrid from 1995 to 2000. Before that, Botas was a successful businessman who moved his family to Madrid when Silva was a child.

Silva ran in Madrid's elite circles while she was young and attended some of the top private schools in the city. She also was close to Real Madrid players due to her dad's affiliation and was romantically linked to player Roberto Carlos.

She's known Gere since she was young

Silva said she believed the universe was on her side regarding her relationship with the Pretty Woman star. The activist told Hola! in 2015 that Gere had been a family friend, and they had known each other for over a decade. Silva said they were immediately attracted to each other the moment they reconnected years later.

"Our karma was attracted the moment we saw each other," she said. "I'm not ignoring our age difference and what it means to be with a Hollywood star, but when there's such a strong karmic energy, the problems disappear."

They were in a long distance relationship

Silva opened up about her long-distance relationship with Gere in 2015, revealing that the two would see each other when their kids were with their exes.

"It's hard to coordinate, but we don't go more than 20 days without seeing each other," she told Hola!

She moved to New York to be closer to Gere

After their early days as a long-distance couple, Silva moved to New York to live with Gere. Martha Stewart is one of their neighbors.

Gere called Stewart after seeing a demonstration of her caramel mile-high cake on Today, wanting the cake itself. She gifted the cake to his family after filming the show.

They got married in 2018

Upon reconnecting in 2014 and dating shortly after, Gere married the Spanish activist in a secret ceremony in April 2018.

Gere and Silva kept the celebration going in May, throwing a wedding party on Cinco de Mayo at Gere's estate in Pound Ridge, New York. A source told PEOPLE that the couple, both Buddhists, welcomed several Tibetan monks to the celebration. Silva wore two custom dresses for the occasion.

She's a boy mom

Just like Gere, Silva has a son from her last marriage. She welcomed Albert in December 2012 with ex-husband Govin Friedland, the son of American billionaire Robert Martin Friedland. The couple resided in Italy with their son until they divorced in 2014.

In February 2019, Gere and Silva had their first son together, Alexander, and another boy in April 2020. Their blended family also includes Gere's adult son Homer James Jigme from his previous marriage to ex-wife Carey Lowell.

They share a love of activism

Activism is a common passion the couple share. The foundation hosted a screening of Gere's movie The Dinner in December 2017, and he often attends events benefitting Rais with Silva. She told Hola! Gere's philanthropic instinct is one of the things that drew her to the actor.

"What I love most about him is his humanitarian side," she said. "He's a very empathetic person."

She posts cozy photos with Gere on Instagram

Among her posts on Instagram about her humanitarian work, Silva also shares loving images of her and Gere.

"So grateful to have you in my life, extraordinary and special human being, you have [shaken] my life, making me see what is really important. Undeniable! love you with all my heart," she wrote in honor of Gere's birthday in 2017.