In the quiet, cobblestoned streets of Lisbon and the secluded estates of Cape Cod, a new Hollywood narrative has taken root—one defined by international grace and a fiercely guarded privacy. As we enter early 2026, Alba Baptista has transitioned from Europe’s best-kept secret to a global “actor to watch.” While many first learned her name as the wife of Marvel icon Chris Evans, the 28-year-old Portuguese star has spent the last year proving her luminous talent is a force all its own. From her breakout in “Warrior Nun” to her new role as a mother, Baptista is navigating the pinnacle of fame with the same multilingual charm and philanthropic heart that first captured the world’s most eligible bachelor.
A Multilingual Muse: From Lisbon to London
Born in Lisbon in 1997 to a Portuguese mother and a Brazilian father, Alba Baptista’s upbringing was a masterclass in global citizenship. Growing up in a household that valued education—her mother is a translator and her father an engineer—Baptista became fluent in five languages (Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, and German) before she even launched her international career. This linguistic dexterity has become her secret weapon, allowing her to move seamlessly between gritty Portuguese dramas like A Impostora and high-fashion English-language features.
Her international breakthrough came in 2020 with the lead role in Netflix’s “Warrior Nun.” Playing Ava Silva, a teenager resurrected with supernatural powers, Baptista displayed a rare combination of physical intensity and comedic timing. The series catapulted her to global fame, making her the first Portuguese actress to lead a major English-language streaming hit. This was quickly followed by her role as the ethereal model Natasha in the 2022 critical darling “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris,” where she held her own alongside veterans like Lesley Manville and Isabelle Huppert.
The Cape Cod Union: A Very Private “I Do”
The romance between Baptista and Chris Evans is a story of “love at first sight” that began in Europe during the summer of 2021. Despite their 16-year age gap, insiders noted that Evans was immediately “laser-focused” on Baptista, drawn to her intelligence and her shared passion for humanitarian work. After two years of low-profile dating and occasional “scare-tactic” videos on Instagram, the couple tied the knot on September 9, 2023, in a pair of ultra-private ceremonies—one at their home in Cape Cod and a second “sequel” wedding in Portugal to honor Baptista’s heritage.
The Cape Cod wedding was a legendary, phone-free affair attended by Evans’ Marvel co-stars, including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, and Jeremy Renner. Since then, the couple has largely retreated from the Hollywood spotlight, choosing to split their time between Massachusetts and Europe. This “Quiet Luxury” approach to their marriage has only deepened the public’s fascination with Baptista, who Evans famously described as “the right girl” he had been waiting for throughout his 41 years of bachelorhood.
Welcoming Alma: A New Chapter in 2026
The biggest headline of the 2025/26 season for the Evans-Baptista household was a secret they kept until the very last moment. On October 24, 2025, the couple officially became parents, welcoming their first child, a daughter named Alma Grace Baptista Evans. Born in a Massachusetts hospital near their primary residence, the arrival of “Baby Alma” was a dream come true for Evans, who had been vocal for years about his desire to find a wife and start a family.
While they have not yet shared a full public portrait of the infant, sources close to the couple say they are “thriving in their privacy” and enjoying the first months of parenthood. The name Alma, which means “soul” in both Portuguese and Spanish, is a poetic nod to Baptista’s roots. For Evans, who famously called the title of “Dad” his most exciting role yet, 2026 marks the beginning of a life away from the shield and closer to the nursery.
Cinematic Horizon: A24 and “Mother Mary”
Professionally, 2026 is shaping up to be Baptista’s most prestigious year to date. She is set to appear in one of the year’s most anticipated films, David Lowery’s “Mother Mary,” scheduled for release by A24 on April 24, 2026. The psychological drama-thriller, which stars Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel, explores the relationship between a pop singer and a fashion designer. Baptista’s casting in such a high-caliber ensemble confirms her status as a director’s favorite in the indie circuit.
Beyond Mother Mary, Baptista is also starring in the 2025/26 thriller-comedy “Borderline,” produced by Jimmy Warden. Her choices continue to reflect a desire for complex, unconventional roles rather than standard blockbuster fare. Whether she is playing a tortured assistant or a high-fashion muse, Baptista brings a “European sensibility” to her projects that sets her apart from her Hollywood peers.
The Heart of a Humanitarian
Perhaps what most connects Alba Baptista to her husband—and her global audience—is her commitment to service. Long before she met Evans, Baptista spent 2018 volunteering at an orphanage in Cambodia, focusing on educational initiatives for children. This “philanthropy first” mindset is a core pillar of her identity. Even at the height of her Warrior Nun fame, she used her platform to advocate for various non-profits, a trait that reportedly made Evans’ family “adore her” from day one.
In 2026, Baptista continues to balance her humanitarian work with her new responsibilities as a mother. She is often seen supporting Evans’ own civic engagement projects, such as A Starting Point, while maintaining her own advocacy for educational equity in Portugal and beyond. For Alba Baptista, the “Best of Both Worlds” isn’t just about balancing two countries; it’s about balancing a high-profile career with a deeply grounded, purposeful life.
The Standard of the Modern Leading Lady
As we move through 2026, Alba Baptista has effectively rewritten the script for what it means to be a “celebrity spouse.” She is neither in the shadow of her famous husband nor competing with his legacy; instead, she is building a parallel empire of her own. Her journey from a child in Lisbon to a mother and A-list actress in America is a testament to the power of authenticity and the allure of a quiet, meaningful life.
The world may have come for the “Captain America” connection, but they are staying for Alba. With Mother Mary on the horizon and Baby Alma at home, 2026 is the year Alba Baptista officially claimed her crown. She is a woman of many languages, but the one she speaks most fluently is the language of success on her own terms.
