The actress welcomed her twins, Phinnaeus and Hazel, with her husband Danny Moder later than most other moms. Now that they’re all grown up, she believes they’ve taken after their father.
Julia Roberts at the 73rd Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, on March 25, 2001 | Source: Getty Images
At 37, Julia gave birth to Phinnaeus and Hazel, who both entered this world healthy. According to a source, the twins arrived at around 3 a.m. in November 28, 2004 at a Los Angeles hospital. On the other hand, Henry, now 17, was born on June 18, 2007.
Danny Moder and Julia Roberts at the Gala in the Garden sponsored by Bottega Veneta in Los Angeles on October 10, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
Julia made it a priority to savor every moment with her children while they were young. She once shared a funny story about Henry, who, in his innocence, thought that when people mentioned “the twins” in their family, they were talking about him and his siblings—not just Phinnaeus and Hazel.
Recently spotted with stunning blonde hair, Julia wasn’t just a fun, loving mother—she was fiercely protective too. Although her kids knew she was famous, they never fully grasped what that meant. Most of their awareness came from glimpsing tabloid headlines while out shopping, moments that Julia found deeply uncomfortable.
False tabloid stories often hurt Julia, especially the ones that speculated about her marriage falling apart—despite her strong, happy relationship with Danny and their ongoing journey of raising their children together.
Faced with these challenges, Julia and Danny made a life-changing decision: they pulled their family away from the spotlight. Though they once lived in Los Angeles for work, they bought a ranch in New Mexico to create distance from the glare of fame.
Later, understanding even more clearly what they wanted for their children, they moved to San Francisco—a place where Phinnaeus, Hazel, and Henry could grow up without being constantly seen as “celebrity kids.”
In true protective mom fashion, Julia also revealed in 2019 that she banned her children from using social media, aiming to shield them from the relentless pressures of the modern digital world.
Danny Moder, Julia Roberts, Kelly Slater, Phinnaeus, Henry Daniel, and Hazel Moder at a celebration of the launch of Outerknown in Malibu, California, on August 29, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
The actress also set clear boundaries at home, carefully monitoring what her children could watch on television and instituting regular family meetings. These measures were part of her larger effort to shield her kids from the pressures and pitfalls that can arise in an increasingly connected world.
Julia firmly believed it was her responsibility as a parent to keep her children offline, convinced that they didn’t need the weight of the digital world during their formative years. Beyond protection, she provided them with unconditional love, ensuring they grew up resilient enough to face any challenges that might come their way.
When Hazel faced a particularly difficult time and began to lose hope, Julia seized the moment to empower her daughter. She took Hazel to her first Women’s March in Washington, showing her that she had a voice—and a place—in the world. It was a powerful lesson in strength, belonging, and the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs.
Now a young woman, Hazel continues to shine in her own quiet, authentic way. According to her 57-year-old mother, Hazel is “one of a kind.” When she attended the 74th Cannes Film Festival in 2021 alongside her father, she chose a simple, understated look, even gently brushing off Julia’s suggestion to wear eyeliner. For Hazel, the real joy was simply being part of the experience with her dad.
Danny Moder and Hazel Moder arrive at the premiere of “Flag Day” during the 74th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on July 10, 2021. | Source: Getty Images
However, Hazel does have a soft spot for her mother’s prized possessions. Julia once shared that her daughter went rummaging through her closet in search of a prom dress and ended up trying on the iconic black-and-white Valentino gown Julia wore to the Academy Awards in 2001, the night she won her Oscar. Though the dress was too big for Hazel, Julia still recalls how breathtaking her daughter looked in it.
Throughout the years, Julia has poured her heart into loving, protecting, and standing by her children. Yet, she humbly admits that there’s no such thing as mastering motherhood. She believes the key is recognizing that no parent can do it all—and there’s no shame in asking for help. Still, she acknowledges that every new phase presents its own challenges.
In 2022, the “Pretty Woman” star opened up about feeling lightheaded as she prepared for her twins to leave for college. Although it was a bittersweet moment, she also felt excitement and fascination, having never had that experience herself.
When it comes to appearances, Julia often jokes that she sees herself in her children—until her husband, Danny Moder, walks through the door. Seeing him reminds her just how much their kids resemble him, a sentiment echoed by fans.
On November 28, 2021, when the twins turned 17, Danny shared a rare photo that sparked a wave of comments from followers. “They’re so beautiful,” one admirer gushed, while many others noted how much Hazel looks like her dad.
A year later, as her twins turned 18, Julia marked the occasion with a sweet throwback photo of them as diaper-clad toddlers—a touching reminder of just how quickly time flies. Now, those once tiny babies are on the verge of turning 20 in late 2024.
Meanwhile, Julia Roberts and Danny Moder have been happily married for 22 years, choosing a life focused on family over fame. Judging by the glimpses they’ve shared, they’ve succeeded in creating a joyful, grounded home far removed from the pressures of Hollywood.