As per the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, Richard Gere can trace his ancestry back to Mayflower pilgrims John and Elinor Billington, as well as William and Mary Brewster, who arrived in New England aboard the Mayflower. Gere’s father, Homer George Gere, worked as an insurance agent, while his mother, Doris Ann, was a homemaker. He was born in Philadelphia on August 31, 1949, and completed his high school education at North Syracuse Central High School in 1967.
In a 1980 interview with Rolling Stone, Gere expressed, “After high school, I felt rather uncertain, but I knew I had a strong interest in music or theater.”
Gere initially received a gymnastics scholarship to attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst, although he only remained there for two years before pursuing a different path. He began making appearances in films during the 1970s, with his breakthrough moment occurring in 1977 when he took on a supporting role in the film “Looking for Mr. Goodbar.” A few years later, he gained fame by starring in “American Gigolo” and swiftly established himself as a heartthrob and leading actor in Hollywood. His most iconic role came as Edward Lewis in the film “Pretty Woman.”
The actor has consistently been a vocal activist, openly addressing human rights abuses in Tibet and even participating in a boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. However, his outspoken nature has, on occasion, led to consequences, and it has caused a significant slowdown in his career. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he stated:
“Studios are primarily focused on the potential for substantial profits. Yet, I’m still involved in the same type of filmmaking that I started with: small, captivating, character-driven, and narrative-focused stories. It hasn’t had any impact on my life.”
In 2021, after relocating to a new residence, Gere and his wife embraced a fresh countryside lifestyle.
Gere also emphasized that his ability to focus on the small, character-driven films he’s passionate about is due to the financial success he achieved with the major films from his early career.
“I have no interest in taking on the role of the wise elder in your blockbuster,” he revealed.
The actor went on to discuss how his stance against China has limited his opportunities.
“There are certainly projects I’m excluded from because the Chinese government would say, ‘Not with him,'” he elaborated.
Gere also disclosed an incident involving an independent film he was set to work on with a Chinese director, despite having no intention of releasing the film in the Chinese market. Two weeks before the project was to commence, the director abruptly canceled, explaining that if they proceeded, both Gere and his family would face travel restrictions in China, and his future career prospects would be jeopardized.
Nevertheless, Gere has carved out his niche as an indie film actor and has made significant strides in this domain. He has also been actively engaged in tourism and conservation initiatives within a project in Mexico called Xala, where he serves as a prominent contributor to the community and environmentally oriented project.
“I’m thrilled to collaborate with the team and the local community to realize our shared vision of providing the highest quality tourism experiences and establishing a truly sustainable community in this extraordinarily unique part of the world,” Gere expressed about the development.
The project, in the planning stages for over a decade, has been carefully designed to accommodate 75 rancho estates, 50 residences, three boutique hotels, and one hostel for travelers.
During a gathering of luxury real estate leaders in May 2023, Xala’s developer, Ricardo Santa Cruz, offered a sneak peek of the project on the Costalegre coast and revealed, “Only 13 percent of Xala’s expansive 3,000 acres will be developed.”
In 2021, Gere listed his Pound Ridge property for sale at a price of $28 million, with the aim of getting closer to nature. He had originally acquired the property in 1986 for $1.51 million and expanded it over the years by purchasing surrounding homes. According to Mansion Global, the estate spanned 50 acres and featured an 11,658-square-foot main residence, stables, a private lake with a sandy beach, an island, and even a soccer field.
Despite the sale, Gere didn’t venture far, as he acquired a more affordable residence in North Salem for $9.8 million, as reported by the LA Times. He now resides there with his family. Gere and his wife, Alejandro Silva, who have a notable 34-year age difference, got married in 2018 and have since welcomed two sons, Alexander and James.
Gere also has a son named Homer from his previous marriage to Carey Lowell, while Silva has a son, Albert, from her previous marriage. Silva occasionally shares updates about her family’s life on their ranch.
In December 2021, she posted a picture on Christmas day, holding her two sons as they observed some zebras.
Silva, a nature enthusiast, shared another Instagram post where she posed with a cow that was grazing in the first picture, and the second slide depicted her milking a cow.
“In these times, especially if you live in the city, it is so difficult to be able to enjoy the basic pleasures that nature offers us—for me, the ones I value the most and those I want to instill in my family,” Silva wrote in her Spanish caption, dedicating the post to Homer.
In February 2023, Silva provided an update on her family’s health. She revealed that they were all recovering after falling ill during their trip to Mexico for their “conservation project.” This update followed her expression of gratitude to fans on Instagram for their well-wishes.
What are your thoughts on Gere and Silva’s commitment to embracing a natural lifestyle? Would a visit to Xala be on your wishlist? Feel free to share your thoughts and be sure to pass this along to fellow admirers of the “Pretty Woman” star.
