Adorable Eva

From Desperate Housewives to big screen queen, this hot mama has the magic touch

She waited a long time to become a mother, and now Eva Longoria gets to enjoy being a parent twice over! Nope, the former Desperate Housewives star hasn’t had twins, but she does have two adventurous kids dominating her life right now.

On screen, Eva plays the mother of children’s TV favourite Dora in the new live-action film Dora and the Lost City of Gold. And in real life, she’s a mum to her own little star, 14-month-old Santiago – whom she shares with her businessman husband José Bastón. Baby Santi was also on the Dora set in Australia – so Eva was pulling double duty as a mum!

Eva’s also a busy producer and director, most recently executive producing the sizzling TV drama Grand Hotel – which also stars Aussie actor Lincoln Younes. Here, the 44-year-old actress talks about playing and being a mother, and how parenthood has changed her…

First, you look amazing! What are you doing to look so good?

Everything! I actually got in shape for Cannes Film Festival [in May], because I just needed a goal and a date to do everything possible to get back into shape. It worked! People want a secret, but there is no secret – it’s just exercise and diet.

How did you feel when you found out you landed the role of Dora’s mum?

I was really excited when I got the call, because I had done movies with Eugenio Derbez [who plays Alejandro] and Michael Peña [who stars as Dora’s dad Cole] before. It was like a reunion for us to be in a movie together.

Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer series was a worldwide hit. Were you aware of its success?