Eva Longoria, who fled the 'dystopian' United States two years ago and now resides mostly in Spain and Mexico, made a rare appearance in Los Angeles on Friday. The 51-year-old actress-turned-director stepped out for dinner with her husband, Jose Baston, and friends at Giorgio Baldi, a celebrity-favorite Italian eatery in Santa Monica.
Euro-Elegant Style
Longoria was all smiles, dressed in an all-black ensemble that included a maxi coat, a crew-necked top, and wide-legged trousers. She accessorized tastefully with a simple gold necklace and a Patek Philippe watch. Her husband complemented her look in a black cardigan, gray trousers, and a gray scarf, with his right arm in a sling for unknown reasons.
The Desperate Housewives alum, who packed on the PDA with Baston in Marbella, Spain, last month, was born in Texas and spent most of her adult life in California. She retains dual citizenship in the US and Spain.
Leaving the US Behind
Longoria previously stated that she feels the American 'chapter in my life is done now' and no longer wants to live in Los Angeles due to the 'changing' atmosphere. She first revealed her departure plans after Donald Trump's 2024 election win, fearing he would 'keep his promises,' making the US a 'scary place.'
'I get to escape and go somewhere,' Longoria told Marie Claire in late 2024. 'Most Americans aren't so lucky. They're going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them.'
Her departure came after Trump began filling key posts in his second administration, which she considered appalling. 'The shocking part is not that he won,' she said. 'It's that a convicted criminal who spews so much hate could hold the highest office [in the US].'
Life in Spain and Mexico
Longoria and her family are content splitting their time between Mexico and Spain. She was given the honorary title of 'Dame' in Spain in 2022 due to her ancestral ties to Oviedo. The couple purchased a six-bedroom, seven-bathroom villa in Marbella in early 2023 after a years-long search, and they have since added a home cinema, sauna, and gym.
They also slashed the listing price of their eight-bedroom Beverly Hills mansion from $22.8 to $18.9 million in February 2024 because they were 'ready to get out.'
Longoria admitted she is 'privileged' to have the means to live abroad. The Flamin' Hot director said her family 'really enjoy life in Spain,' contrasting the Spanish culture with faster-paced US life: '[Spaniards] love a long meal. You're never in a rush.'
She misses her Texas family and good Mexican food, which she says is hard to find in Europe. Her second directorial feature, The Fifth Wheel, starring Kim Kardashian, wrapped filming in Los Angeles and is in post-production.
