Marco Perego is much more than the husband of Avatar star Zoe Saldaña. The Italian creative began with competitive soccer, built an international career as a visual artist, moved into writing and directing films, and by 2026 had become an important independent-film producer. At the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Marco Perego became the first producer reported to have three films premiere in the festival’s main competition in the same year. Two of those movies went on to win Cannes’ two biggest prizes.
He has also been married to Saldaña since 2013. Together, they have three sons—twins Cy and Bowie and their younger brother Zen—and have built a family that mixes Italian, Spanish, and English language and culture.
So, who was Marco Perego before he met one of Hollywood’s biggest actresses? How did soccer lead to art, and art lead to filmmaking? And what exactly happened at Cannes in 2026?
Marco Perego Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marco Perego / Marco Perego-Saldaña |
| Date of Birth | March 1, 1979 |
| Age in 2026 | 47 |
| Nationality | Italian; became a U.S. citizen in 2016 |
| Profession | Artist, filmmaker and producer |
| Early Interest | Competitive soccer |
| Wife | Zoe Saldaña |
| Married | 2013 |
| Children | Three sons |
| Sons | Cy, Bowie and Zen |
| Feature Directorial Debut | The Absence of Eden |
| 2024 Short Film | Dovecote |
| Production Company | Leaf Entertainment |
| Major 2026 Achievement | Three films in Cannes main competition |
| 2026 Art Project | The Being |
| Upcoming Directing Project | Petrichor |
| Net Worth | Not independently verified |
Perego’s exact birthplace is reported differently in public sources. His current artist biography and Vatican Biennale materials identify him as born in Vimercate, Italy, while IMDb lists Salò in Lombardy. His March 1, 1979 birth date is widely documented.
Who Is Marco Perego?
Marco Perego is an Italian multidisciplinary artist, writer, director and film producer.
For years, entertainment articles introduced him using only one description:
“Zoe Saldaña’s husband.”
That description is correct.
But by 2026, it tells only a small part of his story.
His artwork has appeared in galleries and institutions in the United States, France, Italy, Canada and elsewhere. His official artistic biography lists exhibitions or collections connected with institutions including the Hammer Museum, Museo Jumex, Rennie Museum and the Pinault Collection.
Then he entered filmmaking.
And eventually he entered film production on a much larger scale.
That second career reached a remarkable high point in Cannes in 2026.
Marco Perego Was a Soccer Player Before Becoming an Artist
Before art galleries and film festivals, Marco played soccer competitively.
PEOPLE describes him as a former soccer player who later moved into visual art and film.
This part of his life still seems important to him.
Why?
Because soccer taught him something that later became useful in producing movies.
A football team cannot succeed with one person doing everything.
The goalkeeper has one job.
Defenders have another.
Midfielders connect things.
Forwards try to score.
A film set works in a surprisingly similar way.
Marco told PEOPLE in 2026 that his background in team sports helped shape how he approaches film production. He sees directing and producing as collaborative work rather than a single person taking all the credit.
That is a very different connection between sports and cinema.
How Did Marco Perego Become an Artist?
After soccer, Perego devoted himself to art.
His work has included painting, drawing, sculpture, film, installation, sound and mixed-media projects.
His official biography describes his artistic interests as centered on transformation and transcendence, often responding to change in both society and individual human life.
That may sound complicated.
But the idea is simple.
People change.
Cities change.
Technology changes.
Relationships change.
The world around us never stays still.
Marco’s work often explores what happens inside people while all that change is taking place.
Marco Perego Built an International Art Career
Perego’s career eventually moved well beyond small exhibitions.
His work has been associated with international institutions and collections including the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, Museo Jumex in Mexico City, the Rennie collection in Vancouver and the Pinault Collection in Paris.
His official biography also lists exhibitions at venues connected with Bologna, Florence, Pittsburgh, Paris, New York and Los Angeles.
That matters because it shows his art career did not begin after marrying Zoe Saldaña.
He was already known in the art world.
In fact, Saldaña later said she knew of his artwork before she actually knew him personally. PEOPLE reports that she had been aware of his work as far back as 2008.
Then they finally met.
How Did Marco Perego Meet Zoe Saldaña?
Their first meeting sounds almost too perfect for a romantic movie.
They met on an airplane in 2013.
Saldaña later said she noticed Marco before she even clearly saw his face.
She described feeling an immediate attraction or “vibration” when she saw him from behind on an early-morning flight to New York.
She had known his work for years.
But this was when the artist became a real person in her life.
Their relationship moved very quickly after that.
Marco and Zoe Started Dating in 2013
The pair were romantically linked during spring 2013.
PEOPLE reports that they were seen together in April and publicly spotted kissing in May at a Star Trek Into Darkness premiere afterparty.
At the time, the romance was described as new.
But it did not remain casual for long.
Both Marco and Zoe had apparently reached a point where they were not interested in wasting time if something felt right.
Within months, they were married.
When Did Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña Get Married?
Marco and Zoe married privately in the summer of 2013, only a few months after they began dating.
PEOPLE says the wedding was intimate and secret, with the couple confirming the marriage later that September.
They had both previously thought marriage might not be for them.
Then they met each other.
Zoe later explained that once they decided to marry, they moved extremely quickly.
They did not want a giant public engagement lasting years.
They simply knew.
Marco Perego Took Zoe Saldaña’s Last Name
One unusual part of their marriage received a lot of attention.
Marco decided to take Zoe’s surname.
Zoe initially worried about how people might react to a husband adopting his wife’s name.
Marco did not seem concerned.
The family eventually adopted the combined surname Perego-Saldaña.
For Zoe, the choice became symbolic.
She later argued that men should not feel their identity disappears if they take a partner’s surname.
Their sons also use their parents’ combined family name.
How Many Children Do Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña Have?
Marco and Zoe have three sons.
Their twins are:
Cy Aridio Perego-Saldaña
and
Bowie Ezio Perego-Saldaña.
The twins were born on November 27, 2014.
Their third son, Zen Anton Hilario Perego-Saldaña, was born in December 2016.
By 2026, Cy and Bowie are 11, while Zen is 9.
Why Are Their Sons Named Cy and Bowie?
The twins’ names also reflect their parents’ creative world.
IMDb’s biography of Perego says Cy was named after artist Cy Twombly, while Bowie’s name honors musician David Bowie.
That seems appropriate for the children of an actress and visual artist.
Art was literally built into their names.
Their younger son Zen received another distinctive name.
The couple has generally protected all three boys from becoming full-time celebrity children.
Their Children Speak Multiple Languages
Language is an important part of the Perego-Saldaña household.
Zoe comes from a Dominican and Puerto Rican family background.
Marco is Italian.
Their children therefore grew up around English, Spanish and Italian.
Zoe has said that the boys understand all three and will naturally change languages depending on which relatives they are speaking with.
That means visiting grandparents can become its own language lesson.
Italian with one side.
Spanish with another.
English with Mom and Dad.
Marco and Zoe Are Raising Their Sons Differently
The couple has also talked publicly about avoiding rigid expectations around gender.
They have said they do not believe certain household roles automatically belong to a mother while others belong to a father.
Instead, they try to share responsibilities and teach their children compassion and independence.
By 2026, they were also introducing their sons to classic films.
PEOPLE reported that family movie nights included titles such as The Apartment, Cinema Paradiso and To Catch a Thief.
Considering Marco now works heavily in cinema, that family routine makes sense.
Marco Perego Became a U.S. Citizen
Marco was born in Italy but later became an American citizen.
Zoe publicly celebrated when he was officially sworn in as a U.S. citizen in July 2016.
She described the process as something he had wanted for a long time.
Today, his professional life stretches across both Europe and America.
His art has deep international connections.
His film work does too.
Marco Perego’s Move Into Filmmaking
Visual art eventually led Marco toward filmmaking.
That move was not completely unexpected.
Cinema combines many things artists already use:
images,
movement,
sound,
performance,
color,
space,
and emotion.
His major feature-film breakthrough as a director came with The Absence of Eden.
The film marked his feature directorial debut and also brought him into a professional collaboration with his wife.
The Absence of Eden
The Absence of Eden was written by Marco Perego and Rick Rapoza and directed by Perego.
Zoe Saldaña stars alongside Garrett Hedlund, Adria Arjona and others.
The story follows characters caught in the dangerous world surrounding immigration and the U.S.-Mexico border.
The film premiered at Italy’s Taormina Film Festival in 2023 and later received its U.S. theatrical release in April 2024.
This was not Marco simply appearing beside Zoe at one of her premieres.
He was now the filmmaker directing her.
Working With Zoe Saldaña
Couples working together can be difficult.
Home disagreements can enter work.
Work problems can follow people home.
But Marco and Zoe have repeatedly described their relationship as one based on respect for each other’s creative independence.
Zoe has said there is no sense that one person “directs” the other in their everyday relationship. They listen to each other, disagree at times, and still allow each other to follow individual artistic instincts.
That attitude became especially useful once they began making films together.
Marco Perego and Dovecote
Perego later directed the short film Dovecote, again featuring Zoe.
The project was filmed at Venice’s Giudecca women’s prison and became part of the Holy See’s pavilion at the 2024 Venice Biennale.
Marco’s official biography says Dovecote was later shortlisted for the Academy Awards.
That project perfectly joined the two sides of his career.
Film.
And contemporary art.
Instead of choosing one world, Marco began combining them.
What Is Leaf Entertainment?
Perego later expanded into producing through Leaf Entertainment.
The company focuses heavily on independent and auteur-driven cinema.
Marco told PEOPLE that he wants to support directors with strong individual visions at a time when independent filmmaking can struggle financially.
This is where his old soccer philosophy returns.
For Marco, producing is not about becoming the star.
It is about building the team that allows another filmmaker’s idea to survive.
That approach produced an extraordinary result in 2026.
Marco Perego Made Cannes History in 2026
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival became the biggest professional moment of Perego’s film career so far.
He became the first producer to have three films premiere in Cannes’ main competition in one year, according to PEOPLE.
Those three films were:
Fjord,
Minotaur,
and Paper Tiger.
Then things became even bigger.
Fjord won the Palme d’Or.
Minotaur won the Grand Prix.
Those are Cannes’ two highest awards.
For a man who only recently moved deeply into producing, it was a huge achievement.
What Are Fjord, Minotaur and Paper Tiger?
Fjord stars Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve and follows a family settling in Norway before tensions begin developing with their new neighbors.
Minotaur came from Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev.
Paper Tiger, directed by James Gray, features major actors including Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller.
Marco was one producer among teams of producers on the films.
That distinction matters.
Movies at this level are enormous collaborations.
But having three different projects reach Cannes competition in one festival is still remarkable.
Zoe Saldaña Celebrated Marco’s Success
Zoe publicly celebrated her husband after the Cannes results.
PEOPLE reported that she said her pride in him was almost impossible to put into words.
That moment reversed the situation people usually see on red carpets.
For years, Marco was often described as “Zoe Saldaña’s husband” while supporting her career.
At Cannes in 2026, Zoe was celebrating his major professional achievement.
Their careers had become different but equally creative.
Marco Perego’s Art Is Still Active in 2026
Film has not replaced art.
In 2026, Jeffrey Deitch in Los Angeles presented Perego’s project The Being, continuing his work with installation, images, sound and sensory experience.
His official artist site also lists a 2026 collaboration with Centre Pompidou-Metz and a publication titled 365 Drawings: One Drawing a Day for Healing Yourself.
That means Marco is doing something unusual.
He is not an artist who quit art to become a filmmaker.
He is working in both fields at once.
What Is Marco Perego Doing Now?
In 2026, Marco is exceptionally busy.
He continues producing independent films through Leaf Entertainment.
He is exhibiting artwork.
And IMDb currently lists Petrichor as an upcoming project he is writing, directing and producing.
Recent reporting also says Marco and Zoe are spending significant family time in Italy while maintaining strong professional ties to Los Angeles and international filmmaking.
So his current life moves between several worlds:
family,
art,
cinema,
Italy,
and Hollywood.
Marco Perego’s Net Worth
You may find websites claiming exact figures for Marco Perego’s net worth.
Those numbers are not independently verified.
He has had a long visual-art career.
He now produces major films.
He has also directed and written movies.
But outsiders do not know all of his income, property, investments, production holdings, artwork ownership, liabilities or business arrangements.
Zoe Saldaña’s wealth should also not automatically be described as Marco’s individual fortune.
So the safest answer is:
Marco Perego’s exact personal net worth is not publicly verified.
Interesting Facts About Marco Perego
Marco was born in Italy in 1979.
He played soccer competitively before becoming an artist.
Zoe Saldaña knew about his artwork years before they met personally.
They finally met on a flight to New York in 2013.
They married only months later.
Marco took Zoe’s surname, while their children use the combined surname Perego-Saldaña.
They have three sons: Cy, Bowie and Zen.
He became a U.S. citizen in 2016.
His visual art has appeared in important international institutions and collections.
He directed Zoe in The Absence of Eden and Dovecote.
His Dovecote project appeared in the Vatican Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
And in 2026, he made Cannes history as a producer with three films in the main competition, two of which won the festival’s top prizes.
Final Thoughts
Marco Perego has one of those careers that refuses to follow a straight line.
First came soccer.
Then visual art.
Then directing.
Then producing.
Along the way, he met Zoe Saldaña on an airplane in 2013, married her within months and became the father of three boys.
For years, many people knew Marco mainly because Zoe was more famous.
That began changing as his filmmaking career grew.
The Absence of Eden made him a feature director.
Dovecote connected his filmmaking with the Venice Biennale.
Leaf Entertainment pushed him deeper into international independent cinema.
Then came Cannes 2026.
Three Marco-produced films reached the main competition.
Fjord won the Palme d’Or.
Minotaur won the Grand Prix.
Suddenly, the former soccer player and visual artist was being discussed as one of the most interesting emerging producers in international cinema.
And he is still making art.
Still directing.
Still producing.
Still raising three sons with Zoe.
Perhaps that is the easiest way to understand Marco Perego.
He never really left one career behind.
He simply kept adding another creative language.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marco Perego
Who is Marco Perego?
Marco Perego is an Italian visual artist, director, writer and film producer. He is also the husband of actress Zoe Saldaña.
How old is Marco Perego?
Marco was born on March 1, 1979, making him 47 years old in 2026.
Where is Marco Perego from?
He is Italian. His exact birthplace is reported differently, with his official art biography identifying Vimercate while IMDb lists Salò.
Who is Marco Perego’s wife?
His wife is Oscar-winning actress Zoe Saldaña.
When did Marco Perego marry Zoe Saldaña?
The couple married privately in the summer of 2013, only a few months after they began dating.
How did Marco Perego meet Zoe Saldaña?
They met on an airplane to New York in 2013. Zoe has described feeling an immediate connection.
Did Marco Perego take Zoe Saldaña’s surname?
Yes. Marco chose to take Saldaña’s surname after their marriage, and the family uses the combined Perego-Saldaña name.
How many children do Marco and Zoe have?
They have three sons: twins Cy and Bowie and younger son Zen.
How old are Marco Perego’s children?
In 2026, twins Cy and Bowie are 11, while Zen is 9.
Was Marco Perego a soccer player?
Yes. He played soccer competitively before building careers in art and film.
Is Marco Perego an artist?
Yes. His work has been shown internationally and is represented in major public and private collections.
What movies has Marco Perego directed?
His directing work includes The Absence of Eden and the short film Dovecote. IMDb also lists Petrichor as an upcoming directing project.
Did Marco direct Zoe Saldaña?
Yes. Zoe starred in The Absence of Eden and also appeared in Dovecote.
What happened to Marco Perego at Cannes 2026?
He became the first producer reported to have three films premiere in Cannes’ main competition in the same year. Fjord won the Palme d’Or and Minotaur won the Grand Prix.
What is Leaf Entertainment?
Leaf Entertainment is Perego’s film-production company, focused largely on supporting independent filmmakers and director-driven cinema.
Is Marco Perego a U.S. citizen?
Yes. He became a U.S. citizen in July 2016.
What is Marco Perego doing in 2026?
He is producing international films, continuing his visual-art practice and working on new filmmaking projects, including Petrichor.
What is Marco Perego’s net worth?
His exact personal net worth has not been independently verified, so online estimates should not be treated as confirmed financial information.
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