Actress Rooney Mara and actor Joaquin Phoenix have announced the arrival of their first child together. In a heartfelt op-ed for People magazine, the couple shared their joy in becoming new parents and shed light on an important issue affecting hundreds of immigrant families in America.
The couple revealed that they have named their son after Joaquin’s late brother, River Phoenix, who tragically passed away at the age of 23. In the op-ed, they also expressed their empathy for the more than 500 immigrant children who have yet to be reunited with their parents in America.
“As new parents, it’s unbearable to imagine what it would feel like to have our child taken away from us for a day, let alone years,” they wrote. “But that’s the very situation those 545 children and their parents have been living through. As Americans, it’s our responsibility to continue paying attention to the plight of these families and get answers for why they still have not been located.”
Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix went on to highlight the importance of standing against cruelty and advocating for justice. They pondered on how they would explain this dark chapter in history to their son when he grows up.
“For the sake of our nation’s character, I hope we will be able to tell him that America unequivocally rejected this cruelty and demanded that our representatives did everything in their power to find those missing parents.”
The news of their baby’s arrival comes after months of speculation as Mara never officially announced her pregnancy. However, her visible baby bump during public appearances had sparked rumors.
The couple, who first met on the set of “Her” in 2012, reportedly began dating after starring alongside each other in “Mary Magdalene” in 2016. Their relationship became public when they appeared together on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017. Since then, they have been inseparable, supporting each other’s work and advocating for causes they are passionate about.
In July 2019, rumors of their engagement circulated after Rooney was spotted wearing a stunning ring on her finger. Since then, they have been seen happily together, with Joaquin supporting Rooney during award ceremonies and Rooney cheering him on during his speeches.
Now, as they embrace parenthood, Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix are focused on their new roles as parents while continuing to be vocal advocates for the causes close to their hearts. Their baby, named after Joaquin’s late brother, carries with him a legacy of love and compassion as he joins the world with two caring and socially conscious parents by his side.