What to Know About Joaquin Phoenix’s Partner and Mother of His 2 Kids, Whom He Just Called ‘Wife’

Despite his fame, Joaquin Phoenix has consistently shielded his personal life from the spotlight. His relationship with his partner has been no exception, maintained quietly despite years of speculation and fan curiosity.

However, in a rare interview, Phoenix referred to his partner as his wife, adding a new chapter to their relationship story. From their quiet romance to shared values and their growing family, meet the other half of this Hollywood couple.

Inside Joaquin Phoenix’s Relationship

Phoenix met his partner on the set of Spike Jonze’s 2013 film “Her,” where they shared the screen but not yet a romance. The pair were also co-stars in Garth Davis’ “Mary Magdalene,” in which Phoenix played Jesus Christ and his partner landed the leading role of Mary Magdalene.

“I was looking for something meaningful. I was looking for an experience. I was friends with Rooney,” Phoenix said about what led him to his role in “Mary Magdalene.”

However, while filming “Here,” Phoenix admitted that he thought she didn’t like him. This was not the case, as the actor later learned she was just shy and liked him too.

A friendship ensued and Phoenix shared, “She’s the only girl I ever looked up on the internet. We were just friends, email friends. I’d never done that. Never looked up a girl online.”

However, a romance blossomed over time, leading to their official debut as a couple at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, where Phoenix received a Best Actor award for his role in “You Were Never Really Here.”

The two shared warm, candid moments on the red carpet, exchanging hugs and congratulations that spoke volumes. By 2019, the pair sparked engagement rumors as the Oscar-winner’s long-time partner was spotted rocking a large diamond while running errands.

In 2020, their relationship reached another milestone with the birth of their son, River, named in memory of Phoenix’s late brother, who died in 1993.

The family kept this joyful addition largely out of the public eye until Russian filmmaker Victor Kossakovsky indirectly confirmed the baby’s name at the Zurich Film Festival. As he introduced Phoenix’s latest work, Kossakovsky remarked, “He just got a baby, by the way — a beautiful son called River.”

Four years later, fans noticed another surprise — Phoenix’s partner appeared at the Berlin Film Festival in 2024 for the premiere of “La Cocina” with a visible baby bump, sparking rumors of the couple’s growing family.

Not long after, the “Joker” star appeared on the “Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso” podcast and referred to his partner as his wife, seemingly confirming the couple officially tied the knot.

However, in typical fashion, the couple kept the details to themselves at the time of writing, letting the world wonder and celebrate alongside them.

Joaquin Phoenix’s Partner

The woman who has been by Phoenix’s side for years is none other than Rooney Mara, a celebrated actress known for her roles in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “Carol.”

Beyond her on-screen achievements, Mara hails from a family intertwined with football history. Her father’s family, the Maras, founded the New York Giants, while her mother’s family, the Rooneys, established the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Growing up with these iconic sports legacies, Mara described her family’s prominence as formative, saying, “I feel like I’ve been guarded since I was about three years old. I don’t know why. I come from such a huge family, so maybe it’s that.”

“Maybe it comes from going to Christmas and having 30 people all in your face at once. I’ve always been a bit like, ‘Aaargh!'” the actress added.

The Steelers’ legacy has always centered on family, with Art “Chief” Rooney’s son, Dan, carrying forward his father’s values. This family-first philosophy connects the Rooneys and the Maras through the marriage of Chris Mara, an executive with the Giants, and Kathleen Rooney, Art’s granddaughter, and Dan’s niece.

This storied background, however, did not draw the actress into the limelight on her family’s terms. Instead, she carved her own path in Hollywood, joining Phoenix in their shared quest for meaningful storytelling.

However, recently, social media buzzed with comparisons between Mara and Phoenix’s past partner, Liv Taylor, particularly in terms of their appearances.

“Liv Tyler she’s always been gorgeous [sic],” one person commented. Another shared, “Liv Tyler is the prettiest.” A third social media user added, “Liv Tyler wins by a mile!” Nonetheless, Phoenix and Mara have made a beautiful couple for years.

Their connection is deepened over shared values, including a commitment to veganism. Both Mara and Phoenix are dedicated advocates, opting for vegan lifestyles and supporting animal welfare causes together.

Mara, who has credited her lifestyle with contributing to her health and well-being, said, “I don’t have much of a beauty ritual. But I always wear sunscreen. And I use mostly natural products and oils, and I only use vegan products.”

The actress continued, “I am 100% certain my vegan lifestyle has impacted my skin for the better. But I try to be a really healthy eater too and eat whole foods as much as I can. You can be a vegan and still eat junk food.”

Mara, the face of Givenchy L’Interdit Absolu Eau de Parfum Intense, also had her focus on wellness at the core of her beauty regime.

“I find that when I’m eating really well and I’m drinking lots of water and sleeping, the rest is really pretty simple. Your emotional wellbeing is as much a part of your beauty as what you’re doing on the outside, of course,” she revealed.

Phoenix echoed similar sentiments about veganism, sharing that he hoped to educate River about veganism without imposing his beliefs.

“Well, certainly I would hope that [he is vegan], but I’m not going to impose my belief on my child. I don’t think that’s right. I’m going to educate him about the reality,” the actor explained.

He added, “[…] And I’m not going to tell him that it’s OK to read books about all the wonderful little farm animals, and they say ‘oink oink oink’ and ‘moo moo moo’’ and not tell him that that’s what a hamburger is.”

In 2021, the couple extended their advocacy through Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt a Turkey Project, highlighting the need for humane treatment of animals and speaking out against industrial farming.

Their dedication to a vegan lifestyle also extends to their pets, illustrating the couple’s alignment in personal ethics and lifestyle choices. Together, Joaquin Phoenix and his partner embody a blend of quiet celebrity, shared values, and an enduring bond that has captivated fans even amid their choice of privacy.