Julia Roberts, renowned for keeping her home life exceptionally private, offered the public a heartfelt look into her family world as her twins celebrated their 21st birthday. This rare glimpse has spotlighted Julia Roberts’ family life, prompting fresh interest in how the Hollywood actress navigates motherhood and fame.
At the 2025 Gotham Film Awards in New York City, Julia Roberts shifted attention away from her illustrious career, focusing instead on a significant personal milestone. Her twins, Hazel Patricia and Phinnaeus Walter, born with cinematographer Daniel Moder in 2004, reached adulthood—a transition Roberts described as “amazing” and “astonishing” in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. Now 21, the children she has intensely protected from the public eye are stepping into their own independent lives.
Celebrating Milestones with a Look Back at Childhood
To commemorate this milestone, Roberts turned to social media, posting a nostalgic photo of Hazel and Phinnaeus as toddlers. This intimate snapshot resonated widely, stirring emotions across her fan base. In the caption, which was filled with reverence and emotion, Roberts referred to her twins as “game changers” and “life alterers,” marveling at the passing of time from their first birthday to now.
Fans have speculated for years about Julia Roberts’ family life, as she and Daniel Moder have actively shielded their three children—Hazel, Phinnaeus, and the younger Henry Daniel, born in 2007—from public scrutiny. By sharing even a carefully chosen throwback, Roberts offered a rare window into the personal joys that have shaped her off-camera world.
Family as the Centerpiece Despite an Illustrious Career
Though Julia Roberts has collected Oscars and acclaim, she has repeatedly affirmed that her most cherished role is that of a mother and wife. In a 2022 conversation with CBS Sunday Morning, she reflected that while her achievements in Hollywood were a dream realized, her true fulfillment came from building a life with Moder and their children—what she called “the best stuff.”
Roberts has spoken candidly about her decision to keep her home life private. In a 2013 interview, she highlighted the importance of maintaining a protective environment for her children, explaining that she and Moder are committed to ensuring family experiences remain unfiltered by public attention. This determination has consistently guided the family’s choices as they navigate celebrity life.
Staying Under the Radar—Even at Popular Destinations
The actress’s commitment to privacy isn’t limited to avoiding red carpets; it extends to everyday family outings. Roberts recounted managing to enjoy a first trip to Disneyland with her entire family without attracting paparazzi attention, a challenging feat for someone of her status. Instead of being pursued by cameras, she delighted in riding attractions and spending genuine time with her children, uninterrupted.
Roberts attributes her ability to maintain this private family sphere to a mix of instinct and firm boundaries. She has said she only shares what she believes is appropriate, while defending the sanctity of her family from unwanted intrusion. For her, it is not a calculated balancing act but a wholly natural approach.
House Rules That Prioritize Connection and Safety
Julia Roberts raises her children with clear expectations and house rules designed to foster genuine connection. In a 2023 interview with Hoda Kotb for TODAY, she disclosed that one unbreakable family rule is handing over cell phones to a charging station upon entering the home, and banning devices from the dinner table entirely.
Now that his older siblings attend college, Henry Daniel remains the only child at home, but Roberts continues to exercise her nurturing instincts. She frequently checks in with her twins regarding their well-being, asking them to text when they arrive home. Despite her celebrity, Roberts is determined to approach parenting in the same way as any devoted mother.
Sharing Special Moments Without Sacrificing Privacy
This is not the first time Julia Roberts has chosen to celebrate her children online while remaining respectful of their privacy. For the twins’ nineteenth birthday, she posted another throwback image, mentioning to Extra that she believed it struck a suitable compromise: a public celebration that did not undermine their personal boundaries.
Roberts, in a profile with Vogue in early 2024, discussed how becoming a mother after establishing her career enabled her to genuinely pause professional commitments to be present for her children. Having already tasted Hollywood’s heights, she could invest her time and energy into motherhood more fully than she might have otherwise.
Lessons Learned from Observing Friends’ Struggles
Roberts has also acknowledged her gratitude for the flexibility she enjoyed as a working mother in show business. Watching peers navigate demanding jobs and young children—juggling late nights, early mornings, and challenging circumstances such as pumping breast milk at work—deepened her appreciation for her own family time at home.
However, she remains careful to emphasize that her creative pursuits have not lessened her commitment as a mother. For Roberts, being both a devoted parent and an artist is not a matter of choosing one over the other; both are integral to her sense of self, a message she hopes her children understand.
Fans React to Intimate Family Moment
Julia Roberts’ birthday post for her twins’ 21st birthday triggered an emotional response from fans, unaccustomed to glimpses into her private world.
“They are all grown up! Wow time flies,”
wrote one follower, reflecting the surprise felt by many.
Another admirer expressed,
“You have a wonderful family ❤️.”
With dozens sharing their well wishes, the emotional undertone of the post resonated far and wide, reinforcing the public’s curiosity about Roberts’ closely guarded family sphere.
“They are all grown up! Wow time flies,”
– Follower
“You have a wonderful family ❤️.”
– Follower
Despite the desire for more access, Julia Roberts remains steadfast in her approach, choosing carefully when and how much of her private life to share. Through rare photos and insightful reflections, she continues to celebrate profound milestones while preserving the boundaries that keep her family close and grounded.
As Julia Roberts’ children step into adulthood, her blend of fierce protection and genuine joy in parenthood shows no signs of changing. Fans and followers may hope for further peeks inside the Roberts household, but the actress is likely to reveal only select moments, on her own terms. The significance of each glimpse, however, will continue to inspire and move audiences, highlighting the enduring resonance of Julia Roberts’ family life.
