Summary
- Julia Roberts fell in love with co-worker Danny Moder, who was married at the time, while on the set of The Mexican.
- Julia created controversy by wearing a shirt that shaded Moder's ex-wife, later admitting that she was immature at the time.
- Roberts apparently eventually forced Moder's ex-wife Vera Steimberg to sign divorce papers, and then proceeded to marry him in 2002.
It was one of the most scandalous and most publicized break-ups of the decade. In 2000, Hollywood actress Julia Roberts had been filming for the movie The Mexican alongside Brad Pitt. At the time, she was dating fellow actor Benjamin Bratt, but this didn't stop Julia's eyes from wandering over to the movie's cameraman, Danny Moder. He wasn't a free agent, either. Moder had been married to make-up artist Vera Steimberg since 1997, but Danny just couldn't help himself when he met Julia.
So what happened between Julia and her husband's first wife, Vera Steimberg? And what's the story behind Julia's iconic street-fashion moment, when she wore her infamous 'A Low Vera' t-shirt?
Updated April 2024: Julia Roberts and Danny Moder faced rumors of splitting up in February 2024. To put a kibosh on those rumors, Roberts took to social media on Valentine's Day to share a throwback picture of the two kissing. The picture was captioned, "My Forever Valentine." Roberts was also featured in "British Vogue" where she said that Moder makes her feel "deeply, deeply happy" showing that the two are still very happy with one another.
6 How Did The Double Break-Up With Julia Roberts And Danny Moder Happen?
Julia Roberts and Danny Moder fell in love while working together on The Mexican
The story goes that Julia fell in love with Danny while on set. They began seeing each other almost immediately, and six months later Danny filed for divorce from wife Vera, after he'd begun calling Julia every day.
The Oscar winner denies being the cause of their divorce, however.
In an interview with Oprah, Roberts claimed that Danny had "sorted his whole thing out, separate and apart from me. And I sorted my life out, separate and apart from him," adding, "I think that's the only reason we were able to ultimately fall in love with each other and be together."
When asked directly whether she'd broken up their marriage, she said, "No. I'm an easy person to point the finger at—'She did it'—and I see that. I don't begrudge people the easy finger-point. It just doesn't happen to be so."
5 Vera Moder Refused To Give Danny Moder Up Without A Fight
Vera Moder refused to give Danny Moder a divorce
Though it wasn't long before Danny had moved out of the family home and was asking his wife for a divorce to be with Julia, the former Mrs. Moder was reluctant to give up on their marriage. In fact, Vera refused Danny a divorce. This left Julia and Danny in a very difficult situation and caused only anger and resentment on Julia's part.
4 Julia Roberts' Infamous T-Shirt Gate
Julia Roberts wore a homemade shirt that said, "A Low Vera"
In 2002, many months after his romance with Julia began, Danny still hadn't been able to secure a divorce from Vera. Venting her frustrations through fashion, Julia was spotted on the streets of West Hollywood wearing a home-made T-shirt which read 'A Low Vera' -- a not-very-subtle dig at her boyfriend's then wife.
Her notable choice of street to hang around shows that Julia was intending to be papped and to get her message out to Vera to move on.
3 Julia Roberts Forced Vera Moder To Sign The Divorce Papers
Julia Roberts not only pushed Vera Moder to sign divorce papers but also paid her $200,000
According to New Idea, Julia is believed to have forced Vera to sign the divorce papers. After being put under immense pressure by Roberts for over a year, Danny's estranged wife finally relented.
Vera is reported to have said, "Julia has been desperate to get Danny down the aisle, and she’s got her wish. I never wanted to lose him, but I’ve given up now."
The make-up artist was also handed a reported $200,000 by Roberts to finally give her husband up and sign the papers.
Whatever the case, Julia clearly got her way, and she and Danny were finally able to tie the knot in July 2002 in a small ceremony in Taos, New Mexico.
2 Does Julia Roberts Regret The Way She Acted?
Julia Roberts admitted she had a lot of growing up to do before she met Danny Moder
Julia has acknowledged that before she met Danny, she had rather a lot of growing up to do. She implies that this is the reason she behaved the way she did during Danny and Vera's break-up.
In an interview with Harpers Bazaar magazine, Roberts said, "I was my priority, [at the time] a selfish little brat running around making films."
When she "found her person" in Danny, everything changed. "When I think about what makes my life my life, and makes sense and just shines inside of me, it's him. Everything has come from that for me."
1 Julia Roberts And Danny Moder Are Still Happily Married In 2024
Julia Roberts and Danny Moder have been married for over 20 years
It seems, fortunately, that all the drama and media attention was worth it for the couple, who are still very happily married over twenty years after tying the knot. In fact, they have one of the longest-lasting and happiest marriages in Hollywood.
After a string of unhappy romances, Roberts claims that meeting Moder put an end to her bad luck.
Speaking to Gwyneth Paltrow in 2018, the Pretty Woman actress said meeting her now-husband was a kind of “seismic shift." "Getting married to Danny," she said, "That was the first, like, my life will never be the same in the most incredible, indescribable way.”
Though rumors will always circulate about the marriage, it seems the couple are genuinely well-matched, and both have enjoyed success in their careers since the big news hit about the double break-up back in 2001. Roberts also regularly posts romantic shots with her hubby on her Instagram page.
The couple share three children together; twins Phinnaeus and Hazel, born in 2004, and Henry, born in 2007.
