Penélope Cruz is a Spanish actress and model who has become a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. She was born on April 28, 1974, in Alcobendas, Spain. She comes from a family of artists and performers, and began acting in Spanish television and film productions in the 1990s.

Cruz first gained international recognition in the late 1990s and early 2000s for her roles in films such as "All About My Mother" (1999), "Vanilla Sky" (2001), and "Blow" (2001). She has since gone on to star in a number of high-profile Hollywood productions, including "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" (2008), which earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" (2011).

Cruz has also been recognized for her work in Spanish cinema, receiving several awards and nominations for her performances in films such as "Volver" (2006) and "Broken Embraces" (2009). In addition to her acting career, she has been involved in various philanthropic and humanitarian causes, including working with UNICEF.

Throughout her career, Cruz has been celebrated for her beauty and style, and has become a fashion icon, appearing on the covers of numerous magazines and being named one of the world's most beautiful people by various publications.