“One Battle After Another” actor Benicio Del Toro opened up about the profound impact of losing his mother, Fausta Genoveva Sánchez Rivera, at just 9 years old.
In an intimate cover story with The Hollywood Reporter, published on Feb. 23, the acclaimed actor reflected on how her passing has continued to shape his life and career, sharing that he thinks about her every day.
Benicio Del Toro Opens up About His Mother’s Passing
GettyIn a cover story with The Hollywood Reporter, Benicio del Toro shared how the death of his mother when he was a child continues to affect him today. “The Usual Suspects” star’s mother, Fausta Genoveva Sánchez Rivera, died of hepatitis when he was just 9.
“I’m still dealing with it,” Del Toro told the outlet. “I had my mother for nine years. What is crazy about losing a parent at that age is that there hasn’t been one day in my life that I haven’t thought about her.”
Though most people might not recall much from their early childhood, his mother left a lasting impact on him, sharing, “I remember everything.” He described her as a strict woman who deeply valued education, always pushing him to commit to his studies. “I think some of my best acting was with her,” he added.
Years after her death, Del Toro met Japanese director Kaneto Shindo, whom he called one of his heroes. After researching the director’s personal life, Del Toro discovered that he, too, lost his mother at 9. He later made a film about her.
“I asked, ‘Did that help deal with that pain? To make the film. Did it cure something? Did it repair something?’ Del Toro asked Shindo, who replied, “Absolutely nothing.”
Del Toro Has One Child With Kimberly Stewart
GettyAccording to People, Del Toro is a father of one, welcoming his daughter, Delilah Genoveva Stewart Del Toro, on August 21, 2011. He shares Delilah with Kimberly Stewart, the daughter of legendary singer Rod Stewart.
Del Toro and Stewart never made their romance public, but they have happily co-parented Delilah over the years. In 2023, Stewart shared a rare photo of the family in Puerto Rico, where Del Toro is from. In the photo, Delilah stands between her famous parents, while her grandfather, Rod, stands next to his daughter.
Speaking to Us Weekly in 2018, Del Toro shared a few important lessons he’s learned from his daughter, including teaching him patience and emotional control. He learned to stay “cool” even when Delilah was “throwing tantrums,” and fatherhood has also improved his ability to negotiate, sharing, “I’ve learned it’s important to compromise.”
