Raoul Bova is among entertainment's most cherished actors, with one of the most extensive and versatile careers in Italy. With his striking physique and effortless charisma, he has become one of the country's successful international exports.
It is little wonder – he's the quintessential leading man, frequently cast as the romantic lead who sweeps women off their feet on both the big and small screens.
One such case is that of his love interest Sylvie, played by Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, in the latest season of Emily in Paris. But Raoul is also known for starring alongside Kate del Castillo in the Spanish-language series La Reina del Sur and for stealing Diane Lane's heart in the 2003 film Under the Tuscan Sun, widely considered to be his breakthrough Hollywood role.
© NetflixWe step inside his private sanctuary, a house tucked away amid the mountains, streams and winding waterways of Varco Sabino, near Rieti – a place his father also called home for many years. It is a protected landscape within the Navegna-Cervia nature reserve, a region dotted with medieval hamlets perched on the rock face, with Lake Salto shimmering below. It's a singular landscape where nature and history are perfectly entwined.
From the outside, the house retains its rugged, rural character, preserving the original stonework and expansive windows that frame the surrounding landscape. Inside, the country soul of the property takes centre stage; rooms are filled with generous sofas draped in hand-woven throws and cushions featuring autumnal florals, while statement Venini vases are arranged with bouquets of sculptural branches and dried botanicals.
© MATTIA BETTINELLIThere are Seventies pouffes and armchairs, and bedrooms are cocooned in sumptuous velvet duvets and blankets, while chairs feature a modern take on antique upholstery. These are some of the essential elements that breathe warmth into every corner, creating a home that feels both refined and deeply inviting. It is a space where you can easily imagine the bustle of family life – a house forever echoing with the laughter of children and the company of friends.
Path to fame
© MATTIA BETTINELLIBorn in Rome in 1971, Raoul first made a name for himself aged 15, when he claimed the Italian youth swimming championship title in backstroke. With such a commanding physique, it was perhaps inevitable that film and TV producers would soon come knocking. His big break arrived in 1993 with Carlo Vanzina's Pretty Princess. From that point on, his meteoric rise to stardom was unstoppable.
In 1999, Madonna personally requested him for a Max Factor campaign; an on-screen kiss with the Blonde Ambition singer firmly placed him on Hollywood's radar.
© MATTIA BETTINELLIA series of significant roles followed, alongside the likes of Sylvester Stallone in Avenging Angelo, Michael Keaton in The Company and Angelina Jolie in The Tourist. Most recently, he starred in Netflix's global TV phenomenon Emily in Paris, playing Sylvie's love interest, the commercial director Giancarlo, in the fourth and fifth series.
With a professional portfolio spanning nearly 50 films and more than 30 TV series, Raoul's career has been as extensive as his personal life has been storied. He was previously married to Chiara Giordano, the daughter of the renowned Italian matrimonial lawyer Annamaria Bernardini de Pace; they have two sons, Alessandro Leon, born in 2000, and Francesco, born a year later.
Later, he was in a long-term relationship with the Spanish actress and presenter Rocío Muñoz Morales, the mother of his daughters Luna, ten, and Alma, seven. Although the couple separated last summer, the dust has now settled, and Raoulis is ready to open both his heart and the doors of his private retreat to us.
© MATTIA BETTINELLIThe actor is also deeply committed to humanitarian causes. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he and Rocío handed over their farm in Puglia to the Red Cross to house volunteers. He took a hands-on approach in Rome, joining operational units to distribute food and blankets to homeless people.
He has also been named a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization, has posed for charity calendars to benefit homeless people and has taken to the pitch for Derby del Cuore football matches to take a stand against organised crime.
Raoul, tell us about your house by the lake...
© MATTIA BETTINELLI''It was love at first sight. I was looking for somewhere authentic and tranquil, away from the noise, and Lake Salto captivated me instantly. It's tucked away in the Salto Valley, surrounded by mountains, water and tiny villages where life still moves at a human pace.
''I've owned it for several years now, and it's very much a home to be lived in and enjoyed. For me, it's a sanctuary – a place to return to, to breathe and to clear my head. When I'm here, I slow down, I switch off and I listen. It’s a holiday for the soul as well as the body.
© MATTIA BETTINELLI''The style is understated but full of character: thick walls, light-filled rooms and authentic materials. The palette of yellow and blue evokes the sun and the water – it brings energy and calm. It's a house that doesn’t feel the need to show off; it simply welcomes you in.''
How do you like to be introduced?
© MATTIA BETTINELLI''I like to be seen as an Italian actor with an international career – someone capable of moving between cinema, television and foreign productions without losing sight of his roots; someone who has explored different genres, always driven by curiosity and a respect for the story. The projects closest to my heart are the films and series that really resonated with people.
''And, of course, the international experience of Emily in Paris, which allows me to play a character who is quite different – elegant and sarcastic, set within a truly global context. It was incredibly stimulating to step out of my comfort zone and engage with a completely new audience.''
How would you describe your approach to both life and acting?
© MATTIA BETTINELLI''I'm an instinctive, curious and loyal person. If I had to pick my strengths, I'd say passion and discipline; as for my flaws, I'm probably far too hard on myself. My acting style is both physical and emotional. Coming from a sporting background, I feel that the body often says as much as words.
''I see myself as a 'popular' actor in the truest sense of the word: someone who loves complex but accessible characters that resonate with everyone. My recent projects have only confirmed that the public is looking for honesty, not perfection. And that is exactly what I strive for –the truth in every role I take on.''
How do you spend your free time?
© MATTIA BETTINELLI''I've always loved sport. When I'm here, I swim in the lake, run and do bodyweight training.
"For me, sport is about balance, discipline and really listening to your body. I also devote a lot of time to charitable work; I firmly believe that those of us with a platform have a duty to give back.
''My roots are simple and solid. The values that guide me are respect, family, responsibility and gratitude. Traditions aren't nostalgia – they're living roots. In a way, my roots are right here today; this house is my sanctuary, a place to retreat and deeply recharge.''
What role do nature, animals and family play in your life?
© MATTIA BETTINELLI''Nature is a great teacher to me; it teaches silence and a sense of moderation. I live here with my dogs, my faithful companions, and my horse, who serves as a daily reminder of the profound, authentic bond between humans and animals.
''My children are the centre of my world. My relationship with them is built on listening, being present and leading by example. I try to instil in them a sense of both freedom and responsibility– never imposing, but simply guiding them on their own paths.
© MATTIA BETTINELLI''I'm very mindful of the affection I'm surrounded by, including from the women in my life, and I hold that with immense gratitude and respect. But ultimately, when everything else falls away, I am simply a man who needs the water, the mountains, silence and truth. This house by the lake is exactly that.''
