Inside Eva Longoria's Romance With Her Husband José Bastón

From Oprah Magazine

Whenever Eva Longoria talks about her husband José "Pepe" Bastón, it's clear the 44-year-old star can't help but gush about her 51-year-old partner and father of their son, Santiago Enrique.

"He's a very private man, so he hates when I talk about him," Longoria told People in 2016. "But I want to yell from the highest mountaintop about everything that goes on with us."

Longoria is known for her work both on-screen-including as Gaby Solis on the long-running Desperate Housewives-and off-screen as a director on shows like Black-ish, Jane the Virgin, Devious Maids, and the upcoming Grand Hotel. As for Bastón, before stepping down in October 2017, he served as the President of Televisa Internacional, the largest Spanish-speaking multimedia mass media company in the world. The two first met after being set up by a mutual friend in 2013-but the sparks didn't immediately fly.

"I was getting out a bad relationship, and he was getting out a relationship, so there wasn't a connection," she told People. "So, we had a pleasant conversation, but there was no real connection."

Six months later, the same friend re-introduced them-and this time the connection was instant, according to Longoria.

"I had no memory of meeting him the first time, but we had immediate sparks," she said. "It was like the cliché angels singing and there was a glow around him and it was immediate chemistry."

The couple tied the knot on May 21, 2016 and have been living life as a family of six. Bastón has three children, two daughters and a son, from a previous marriage, whom Longoria has said she considers her own, in addition to their nearly one-year-old son, Santiago.

"We have three children already. I have three stepchildren so it's not like it's anything new," she told Hola!. "We are enjoying it."

Ahead, let's take a look at how Longoria and Bastón's love story began-and how they've been "enjoying" their romance since.

2013: Longoria and her husband were set up on a blind date.

As previously mentioned, Longoria and Bastón were introduced by a friend, not once, but twice. The two have been inseparable ever since their second meeting; the following day, they went on a four-hour lunch date, according to People.

"He was the most handsome man I'd ever seen. He was so charismatic, charming, sweet and funny. I thought, 'Who is this guy?!'" she said. "He is probably one of the first men I've dated that has been older and established, and basically, a grown-up. It is so nice to be arm-in-arm with someone who is your equal."

December 2015: Bastón and Longoria got engaged.

After dating for about two years, Bastón proposed to Longoria while they were on vacation in Dubai. She posted a photo of the two kissing in the dessert with a peak at her ruby and diamond engagement ring.

"I'm so happy and excited to be with a person as kind as Pepe is," Longoria told People.

May 2016: Longoria and Bastón became Mr. and Mrs.

After dating for three years, Longoria and Bastón got married in a private ceremony in Valle de Bravo, Mexico on May 21. She wore a gorgeous white gown designed by one of her best friends, Victoria Beckham.

Some celebrities that attended included Ricky Martin, Mario Lopez, Melanie Griffith, Jaime Camil, and Vanessa Williams.

A few months after getting married, Longoria said being Mrs. Bastón hasn't changed her relationship with her husband at all.

"People ask us how it is being married now, but we were always married in our hearts and our souls, so the wedding was just a beautiful party to celebrate with everyone. But marriage wise we just are still floating from three years of being together," she told People. "It's amazing. Our wedding didn't change our relationship."

May 2017: Longoria and Bastón celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary.

Despite the fact that Longoria had to attend Cannes as one of the faces of L'Oreal-an official partner of the film festival-on the day of her one-year anniversary, she still found time to spend with her husband.

"We're always like newlyweds. Some days we feel like we've been married for 40 years and other days we feel like we've been married for two seconds-just depends on the day," she told ET in 2017. "We're priorities for each other, so it's pretty easy."

While talking to People at Cannes, Longoria revealed how the two celebrated their anniversary. “He surprised me at dinner with a beautiful gift and a song and a singer it was just amazing," she said.

December 2017: Longoria revealed she was pregnant with her and Bastón's first child together.

In December 2017, a rep for Longoria confirmed to People that she was four months along and expecting a boy. As you can see in the photo above, she debuted her baby bump for the first time at the 2017 Golden Globes.

April 2018: Bastón stepped into the spotlight to support Longoria.

Despite being a very private person, in April 2018, Bastón stepped out to support Longoria when she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"The last 20 years of my career has given me so much. It's given me friends, it's given me opportunities, awards, and honors but then life gave me Pepe and his beautiful children," she said during the ceremony. "It's with Pepe that I realized I can make all of my dreams come true, including my son who's on the way, and I'm happy he's here with us in this moment. So thank you amor for completing all of my dreams."

May 2018: Bastón and Longoria celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary.

Longoria loves to post snippets of her life on Instagram, including birthday shoutouts to her husband and the annual anniversary post.

"So Monday was our 2 year anniversary and I didn't forget, I was just too sleep to post! My wonderful husband sent me these gorgeous flowers and I'm giving him a baby 😂!" she captioned the picture two days after their May 21 wedding date. "I'm the luckiest woman in the world to have a husband like Pepe and I pray we have 50 more years of many blessings, much laughter and endless happiness! Happy Anniversary Amor Mío!"

June 2018: Longoria and Bastón's son, Santiago, was born.

On June 19, Longoria and Bastón welcomed their son, Santiago Enrique. The couple shared his first photo with HOLA! USA, which you can see above.

"We are so grateful for this beautiful blessing," the couple's statement read.

A few months before welcoming Santiago, Longoria opened up to Parade about what kind of father Bastón would be.

"Thank God I have an amazing husband, who has raised a son and really is the perfect example of what a man should be in this world today," she said. "He's super supportive, super loving and encouraging. My son's going to have an amazing role model."

July 2018: Longoria shared the first full look at Santiago.

For the August cover of HOLA! USA, Longoria let everyone see what her and Bastón's youngest looks like.

"Here he is! Santiago Enrique Baston is waving hello at the whole world! Couldn't wait to share this picture with y'all," she wrote before thanking everyone involved in the shoot.

May 2019: Bastón and Longoria stepped out during Cannes.

For yet another year, Longoria attended the Cannes Film Festival with her husband right by her side. The two attended a Kering dinner to support Longoria's friend Salma Hayek and her husband, François-Henri Pinault, who has been the chairman and CEO of Kering since 2005.

For more ways to live your best life plus all things Oprah, sign up for our newsletter!