The Love of Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova Thrives Without Public Display and Formal Marriage for 21 Years

Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova are known for their low-profile approach to public life. They rarely attend public events, give few interviews, and rarely share family photos on social media (though this has changed somewhat in recent years). This has earned them a reputation as one of the most private couples in the entertainment industry. Despite their secrecy, they have been happily living together for 21 years, raising three children, and serving as an inspiration to other celebrities and ordinary people alike as a model couple.

Even before she met Enrique Iglesias, Anna Kournikova gained recognition as a renowned tennis player. Although she hadn’t won any singles titles, she had climbed to No. 8 worldwide by 2000.

Enrique Iglesias was a highly acclaimed singer known for his popularity in Spain and beyond. His single “Bailamos” was released and quickly skyrocketed to the top of the charts, becoming a number-one hit in the United States.

In 2001, Enrique Iglesias unveiled his second English album, “Escape”. For the music video of the album’s first single, also titled “Escape”, director Dave Meyers enlisted the captivating presence of tennis star Anna Kournikova. Iglesias later described her as “independent, beautiful, and funny”.

The music video featured some steamy scenes, including passionate kisses between Enrique and Anna. In a behind-the-scenes video, Iglesias even joked that he didn’t need to be a skilled actor to make their on-screen chemistry believable.

Predictably, after the video’s release, the media immediately speculated that Enrique and Anna were dating. Reporters eagerly pursued them, hoping to catch glimpses of the rumored couple together. However, they never confirmed their relationship and avoided public appearances as a couple.

In 2002, Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova finally confirmed their relationship when they publicly appeared at the MTV Awards. They were all smiles, holding hands and posing as a couple on the red carpet for the first time.

Following their appearance at the MTV Awards, Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova moved in together in Miami, where Enrique owned properties. They deliberately tried to keep their relationship private and away from the public eye. Interestingly, despite the passage of time, there has been no information regarding their marital status or any wedding ceremony, maintaining a sense of mystery around their relationship.

In an interview, Anna said, “[Marriage] isn’t important to me. I’m in a happy relationship — that’s all that matters. I believe in commitment. I believe in being open and trusting each other and respecting each other completely.”

Despite numerous rumors over the years about Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova breaking up, no official confirmations were ever made. In 2011, Iglesias expressed his desire to keep his personal life as private as possible, particularly when both partners are famous and in the spotlight.

During an interview on CBS’ Sunday Morning Show in 2011, Iglesias shared that after being together for so long, a wedding wouldn’t make a difference and wouldn’t necessarily make them happier. “When you have been with someone for such a long time, I don’t think a wedding is going to make a difference,” he said.

Kournikova also spoke about their relationship on The Graham Norton Show, revealing that they faced ordinary-couple issues just like anyone else. When asked if Iglesias left his wet towels lying around, she humorously replied, “Yeah, and you find underwear, you know, everywhere and dirty socks and everything.”

In December 2017, Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova welcomed their first children, twins named Nicholas and Lucy. Surprisingly, their fans ignored Anna’s pregnancy, and Iglesias made the announcement during one of his concerts in Budapest. “I became a father 12 weeks ago,” he shared with the crowd. “And I can absolutely tell you two things, without the slightest doubt, I love my babies. Actually, three things, I love my girl, and I love you guys for being here tonight.”

Following the birth of their twins, the usually secretive couple surprised their fans by sharing adorable family photos on their social media accounts. It was a departure from their usual private approach, and fans were delighted to catch glimpses of their family life with the twins.

In January 2020, Anna Kournikova gave birth to their third child, a daughter named Mary. Coincidentally, around the same time, she updated her Instagram profile name to include “Iglesias”, sparking rumors that she and Enrique had finally tied the knot.

Interestingly, when journalists inquired about Enrique’s involvement in diaper duty for his three children, he responded, “I actually do. I’m pretty hands-on.”

He further revealed his aspirations for his children, wanting them to follow in his mother’s footsteps and pursue sports instead of music like him. “I can honestly tell you, if I had to pick one, definitely sports. I love sports. I love golf, I love tennis, and I would not mind seeing one of my little girls play tennis.”

Enrique shared that his children have different reactions to his songs, “Whenever they hear one of my songs, they can actually recognize my voice, which is pretty cool. But when they watch ‘Escape’, I think it does throw them off a little bit. ‘What is Mom doing there?’ you know, ‘with Dad’ you know? ‘When was this?’ It’s actually incredible to watch the expression on their faces. It’s pretty cool.”

Despite occasionally sharing cute photos and videos of her family on social media, Anna and Enrique remain private about their personal lives, unlike other celebrities who openly discuss their personal matters with reporters.

In terms of her career, Anna retired from professional tennis in 2003 due to severe back and spinal issues, including a herniated disk. However, she has occasionally played in exhibitions and doubles matches. Currently, at the age of 41, Anna has transitioned into being an American television personality.

At the age of 47, Enrique continues to release new singles, perform at concerts, and maintain his popularity as a musician. He has earned the honorary title of “King of Latin Pop” for his contributions to the music industry.

Enrique says the key to a happy family relationship is spending quality time together. He believes that controlling his schedule and ensuring that he is not away from home for more than two weeks in a row has been beneficial for his family life. In an interview with the British press, he shared how fortunate he is to have the flexibility to prioritize his family time amidst his busy career.

Here are some more stories of love that lasts for decades:

• Catherine Zeta-Jones, 53, Reveals How She Keeps the Romance Alive With Michael Douglas, 78
• Matt Damon Chooses a Special Way to Mark the 20th Anniversary of Meeting His Wife
• After 30 Years of Marriage and 7 Kids, Steven Spielberg Still Gushes Over Wife Kate Capshaw