Julia Roberts Offers a Glimpse into Her Life as a Mother of Grown Children

Julia Roberts recently gave fans a rare and heartwarming glimpse into her family life during an appearance on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.” The 57-year-old Oscar-winning actress spoke candidly about her experience as a mother now that her children—twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, 20, and son Henry, 18, whom she shares with husband Danny Moder—have grown up and left home. With genuine maternal pride shining through, Roberts declared, “It’s all fun. Honestly, it is all so delicious and my kids… I know everyone thinks their kids are great… well, I think my kids are great.” Her face lit up as she added, “I just love hanging out with them and spending time with them and fortunately we have had lots of visits along the way of this emptiness.” This tender reflection offered a touching insight into how Roberts has been handling the transition to an empty nest, showing that even Hollywood royalty experiences the bittersweet emotions that come with watching children grow up and forge their own paths.

During her talk show appearance, Roberts wore a suit that paid homage to her iconic 1990 Armani outfit from the Golden Globes—a piece that has now become a cherished family heirloom. In a delightful revelation to Extra on September 30, Roberts shared that not only does she still possess this memorable ensemble, but her teenage son Henry “just had it on the other day.” This casual comment speaks volumes about the warm, playful relationship she maintains with her children and how fashion has become an unexpected bridge between generations in the Roberts-Moder household. Roberts reminisced about the original suit selection, describing how she initially browsed the women’s section at Armani before discovering what would become one of her most iconic red carpet looks in the men’s department. With a touch of nostalgia and humor, she recalled, “I put the suit on and I loved it. I was very taken with myself.” This full-circle moment—from a young actress making bold fashion choices to a mother watching her son try on her vintage attire—beautifully illustrates how Roberts has maintained her authentic self while embracing her role as a parent.

The foundation of Roberts’ family life is her strong marriage to cinematographer Danny Moder, whom she wed in 2002 at her ranch in Taos, New Mexico, after meeting on the set of “The Mexican” two years earlier. Their relationship has provided a stable foundation for their family away from the glaring spotlight of Hollywood. In a 2022 interview with CBS Mornings, the “Pretty Woman” star expressed profound gratitude for the life she’s built, saying, “The life that I’ve built with my husband, the life that we’ve built with our children [is a dream come true]. And that’s the best stuff, to come home at the end of the day triumphantly to them.” These words reveal how Roberts, despite her extraordinary career achievements, finds her greatest fulfillment in the ordinary moments of family life—a sentiment that resonates with parents everywhere, regardless of fame or fortune. Her comments reflect a woman who has found true contentment in balancing her professional success with her personal priorities.

While Roberts and Moder maintain a relatively private family life, the actress recently opened up about their parenting philosophy in a September 2022 interview with 72 Magazine. She candidly admitted that they took a more traditional approach to raising their children in an increasingly digital age: “I think they were, for sure, some of the last kids in their peer groups to get phones and stuff like that.” This revelation offers insight into how the couple navigated the challenges of raising children in the spotlight while trying to provide them with as normal an upbringing as possible. Rather than presenting herself as a perfect parent with all the answers, Roberts acknowledges the intentional boundaries they established, explaining, “When they were younger, certainly, Danny and I would have been considered some of the stricter parents. Not like we’re laying down the law, but these are the rules and they don’t change. Here’s the boundary of your life and it does not shift.”

The consistency in their parenting approach appears to have been central to Roberts’ and Moder’s child-rearing philosophy. Roberts emphasized the importance of presenting a united front as parents, noting, “You know, you don’t ask me and get an answer and then go ask dad and get a different answer. That doesn’t happen. It will never happen.” This straightforward approach reflects the couple’s commitment to providing their children with clear expectations and reliable structure despite the often unpredictable nature of life in the entertainment industry. Roberts’ description of their parenting style shows a thoughtful, deliberate approach to raising children who understand limits while feeling secure in their parents’ unwavering support. Their method seems designed to ground their children in reality despite growing up with a mother who is one of the most recognizable faces in the world.

Perhaps most touching is Roberts’ reflection on the deeper purpose behind their consistent parenting style. She beautifully articulated how boundaries serve a greater emotional function, saying, “I think that is what creates the stability that then allows them to feel secure because you know there is this fixed world of love and safety that exists unconditionally.” This insight reveals Roberts’ understanding that rules and structure are ultimately expressions of love—providing children with the security they need to develop confidence and independence. Now, as her children have grown into young adults, Roberts can witness the fruits of these parenting decisions. The warmth with which she speaks about her children and their visits home suggests that the family bonds remain strong even as her children establish their own identities. Through her rare glimpses into her family life, Julia Roberts offers an authentic portrait of motherhood that transcends fame—one filled with pride, nostalgia, occasional strictness, and above all, unconditional love.