Marco Perego is an Italian visual artist, filmmaker, and film producer who has built a career across contemporary art and international cinema. He is also widely recognized as the husband of Oscar-winning actress Zoe Saldaña, but his professional work extends well beyond his relationship with the Hollywood star.
Born on March 1, 1979, in Salò, Italy, Perego first pursued professional soccer before an injury changed the direction of his life. He eventually moved to the United States and developed a career in visual art. In later years, he expanded into filmmaking and film production, working on independent and auteur-driven projects.
In 2026, Marco Perego reached a major milestone in cinema when films he produced won both the Palme d’Or and the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. He also directed Petrichor, expanding his role from visual artist and producer into feature filmmaking.
Quick Facts About Marco Perego
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marco Perego |
| Known As | Marco Perego Saldaña |
| Date of Birth | March 1, 1979 |
| Age | 47 years old as of 2026 |
| Birthplace | Salò, Brescia, Lombardy, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Profession | Visual artist, filmmaker, producer |
| Famous For | Contemporary art, filmmaking, film production, and marriage to Zoe Saldaña |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Spouse | Zoe Saldaña |
| Children | Three sons: Cy, Bowie and Zen |
| Known Films/Projects | The Absence of Eden, Dovecote, Petrichor, Fjord, Minotaur, Paper Tiger |
Who Is Marco Perego?
Marco Perego is an Italian-born artist and filmmaker whose career has developed across several creative fields. He initially became known for his visual artwork before moving deeper into cinema as a producer, writer, and director.
His public profile increased significantly after his marriage to Zoe Saldaña in 2013. Saldaña is known for major film franchises and critically acclaimed performances, including Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek, and Emilia Pérez. However, Perego has established an independent creative identity through his artwork and film projects.
His career is particularly notable because it combines visual art with international filmmaking. Rather than following a conventional Hollywood path, he has increasingly focused on independent cinema and filmmakers working across different countries and cultures.
How Old Is Marco Perego?
Marco Perego is 47 years old as of 2026. He was born on March 1, 1979, in Salò, a town in northern Italy in the province of Brescia.
His Italian background remains an important part of his identity, while much of his professional life has developed internationally. After moving to the United States, he established himself in New York and later became connected with the international art and film communities.
Where Was Marco Perego Born?
Marco Perego was born in Salò, Italy, in the Lombardy region. He grew up in Italy and developed an interest in soccer at a young age.
His early ambition was connected to professional football rather than the entertainment industry. He eventually pursued soccer seriously enough to enter the professional sporting world, but an injury in his early twenties forced him to reconsider his future.
That turning point became important in his later career because it pushed him toward visual art.
What Happened to Marco Perego’s Soccer Career?
Marco Perego pursued professional soccer before becoming an artist. His football career was interrupted by a serious injury when he was around 21 years old.
After the injury, he spent time in Brazil before eventually moving to New York City. The change was significant: instead of continuing toward a career in professional sports, Perego began concentrating on art.
His experience as an athlete has remained part of the story of his creative development. In later discussions about filmmaking, he has also emphasized collaboration and teamwork, ideas that naturally connect with his sporting background.
Marco Perego’s Early Life and Move to New York
Perego came from a relatively ordinary family background in Italy. His father worked as a waiter, while his mother was a homemaker.
After leaving professional soccer behind, he moved to New York City to pursue art. His early years in the city were not glamorous. He worked different jobs, including positions as a busboy and waiter, while also working as a soccer teacher.
At the same time, he continued developing his artistic skills. His determination eventually helped him move from supporting himself through ordinary jobs to becoming a recognized contemporary artist.
New York played an important role in that transformation because it exposed him to a much broader artistic and cultural environment.
Marco Perego’s Art Career
Marco Perego first established himself as a visual artist. His work has been associated with contemporary art and has been exhibited internationally.
His artistic practice has included paintings, drawings, installations, and multidisciplinary projects. His work frequently explores ideas involving human existence, transformation, society, anatomy, nature, and the relationship between people and their surroundings.
Over the years, his work has appeared in exhibitions connected with major art institutions and galleries. His artistic career has also included participation in international exhibitions, including projects associated with the Venice Biennale.
In 2025, he was honored as an artist by The Drawing Center in New York. His work has also been included in collections such as the Hammer Museum, Museo Jumex, the Rennie Collection, and the Pinault Collection.
His 2026 artistic activity includes exhibitions connected with Jeffrey Deitch in Los Angeles and Centre Pompidou-Metz in France, demonstrating that visual art remains an important part of his career even as filmmaking has become a larger focus.
How Did Marco Perego Become a Filmmaker?
Marco Perego gradually moved from visual art into filmmaking and production. Rather than abandoning art, he expanded his creative approach into cinema.
His work in film has included producing, writing, and directing. He has also become involved in supporting international filmmakers whose projects fall outside the mainstream studio system.
This approach has made Perego more closely associated with independent and auteur cinema. His role is not limited to appearing on screen; he has increasingly worked behind the scenes to help develop and finance films.
Marco Perego and The Absence of Eden
One of the most important steps in Marco Perego’s filmmaking career was ** The Absence of Eden **, released in 2023.
Perego wrote, directed, and produced the film, which stars Zoe Saldaña and Adria Arjona. The story deals with immigration and the difficult choices faced by people caught between borders and different circumstances.
The film was especially significant because it marked Perego’s transition into feature-film directing. It also gave him an opportunity to work directly with his wife in a professional setting.
His experience with The Absence of Eden helped shape his later approach to filmmaking and strengthened his interest in working with filmmakers and performers on ambitious independent projects.
What Other Movies Has Marco Perego Worked On?
Marco Perego’s film-related work includes both directing and producing.
Some notable projects associated with his career include:
| Project | Year | Connection to Marco Perego |
|---|---|---|
| Me + Her | 2014 | Producer |
| Black and White Stripes: The Juventus Story | 2016 | Executive producer |
| The Absence of Eden | 2023 | Writer, director and producer |
| Dovecote | 2024 | Writer/director |
| Fjord | 2026 | Producer |
| Minotaur | 2026 | Producer |
| Paper Tiger | 2026 | Producer |
| Petrichor | 2026 | Writer, director and producer |
His work has increasingly centered on international cinema rather than conventional commercial Hollywood productions.
What Happened for Marco Perego at Cannes in 2026?
2026 was a landmark year for Marco Perego’s film-production career.
At the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Perego was involved as a producer with three films selected for the main Competition: Fjord, Minotaur, and Paper Tiger. Another project connected to his production activities, Butterfly Jam, was presented in the Directors’ Fortnight section.
The achievement became particularly notable because Fjord, directed by Cristian Mungiu, won the Palme d’Or, while Minotaur, directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev, won the Grand Prix.
The two awards represented the top two honors of the Cannes Competition. Perego therefore became the first producer associated with both awards in the same Cannes edition.
The 2026 Cannes success significantly expanded his reputation as a film producer and confirmed his growing role in international auteur cinema.
What Is Leaf Entertainment?
Marco Perego is associated with Leaf Entertainment, a production company focused on international film and creative projects.
The company has supported films from filmmakers working in different parts of the world. Its 2026 slate includes projects connected to directors such as Cristian Mungiu, Andrey Zvyagintsev, James Gray, Carlos Reygadas, and others.
The production strategy reflects Perego’s interest in supporting distinctive filmmakers rather than focusing exclusively on conventional commercial cinema.
His approach has increasingly positioned him as both a creative producer and an investor in international filmmaking.
Who Is Marco Perego’s Wife?
Marco Perego’s wife is Zoe Saldaña, the American actress known for films including Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek, and Emilia Pérez.
The couple met in 2013 and married later that same year in a private ceremony in London. Their relationship progressed quickly, with marriage taking place only a few months after they began dating.
Although Saldaña is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actresses, Perego has maintained his own career in art and film. The two have also collaborated professionally.
How Did Marco Perego Meet Zoe Saldaña?
Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña met in 2013. Saldaña has described their first encounter as taking place on an airplane while she was traveling to New York.
She had already been familiar with Perego’s artistic work before they met in person. Their relationship developed quickly, and they married within the same year.
Their meeting has become one of the most frequently searched parts of Marco Perego’s biography because it connects his international art career with one of Hollywood’s most prominent actresses.
Why Does Marco Perego Use the Name Saldaña?
After marrying Zoe Saldaña, Marco chose to take his wife’s surname. He has consequently been publicly referred to as Marco Perego-Saldaña or Marco Perego Saldaña.
The decision attracted attention because it reversed the more traditional expectation that a wife takes her husband’s surname after marriage.
Saldaña has spoken publicly about the decision and explained that she initially had concerns about how people might react. Perego ultimately chose to adopt her surname as part of their family identity.
Does Marco Perego Have Children?
Yes. Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña have three sons.
Their twins, Cy Aridio Perego-Saldaña and Bowie Ezio Perego-Saldaña, were born in November 2014. Their youngest son, Zen Perego-Saldaña, was born in December 2016.
The couple has spoken about raising their children in a multilingual and multicultural environment. Their family life reflects both parents’ backgrounds, with Italian, Spanish, and English forming part of their household environment.
Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña’s Family Life
Perego and Saldaña have maintained a relatively private family life despite both working in highly visible creative industries.
Their careers sometimes overlap. Saldaña appeared in The Absence of Eden, which Perego directed, and the pair have continued exploring professional collaborations.
In 2025, Saldaña won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez and publicly thanked her husband during her acceptance speech. Their relationship has therefore remained part of the public conversation, while Perego’s own artistic and film career has continued developing independently.
Is Marco Perego an Artist or Filmmaker?
Marco Perego is both an artist and filmmaker, and he is also an established film producer.
His career began primarily through visual art, but cinema gradually became another major creative outlet. He has worked as a producer on international films, directed The Absence of Eden, and continued developing additional film projects.
His background in visual art influences the way he approaches cinema, while his experience as a producer has given him a broader role in supporting other directors.
What Is Marco Perego’s Net Worth?
Marco Perego’s exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed.
Various online sources may publish estimated figures, but there is no sufficiently reliable public financial record that establishes an exact personal net worth for him. His income is connected to several areas, including visual art, film production, filmmaking, and other creative investments.
Because of the lack of verified financial information, a specific net-worth figure should not be treated as an established fact.
Where Is Marco Perego Now in 2026?
As of 2026, Marco Perego remains active in both film production and visual art.
His biggest professional milestone of the year came at Cannes, where films he produced won the Palme d’Or and Grand Prix. He is also developing Petrichor, his feature directorial project, which stars actors including Valeria Golino and Isabella Rossellini.
At the same time, Perego continues to exhibit his visual artwork internationally. His 2026 activities demonstrate that he has not left the art world behind while expanding his role in cinema.
What Is Petrichor?
Petrichor is a feature film directed by Marco Perego and represents another major step in his filmmaking career.
The film stars Valeria Golino, along with Isabella Rossellini, Tommaso Ragno, Lorenzo Zurzolo, and Filippo Luna. Perego co-wrote the screenplay with Alexander Dinelaris.
The story centers on a woman confronting buried trauma as her father’s death approaches and her son prepares to become a father himself.
The film was shot in Italy, including locations around Lake Garda, Chioggia, Rome, and the Carrara quarries. As of 2026, it is part of Perego’s developing film career.
Marco Perego’s Career at a Glance
Marco Perego’s professional journey can be understood through several major stages:
- Early years: Developed an interest in soccer and pursued professional football.
- Early 20s: A serious injury ended his prospects in professional soccer.
- New York period: Moved to the United States and worked different jobs while developing his art.
- Art career: Established himself as a contemporary visual artist with international exhibitions.
- Film transition: Expanded into producing, writing, and directing.
- 2023: Directed and produced The Absence of Eden.
- 2024: Continued his filmmaking work with Dovecote.
- 2026: Produced films selected for Cannes Competition, including Fjord, Minotaur, and Paper Tiger.
- 2026: Celebrated an unprecedented Cannes double after Fjord won the Palme d’Or and Minotaur won the Grand Prix.
- Current work: Continues developing Petrichor while remaining active as a visual artist and producer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marco Perego
Who is Marco Perego?
Marco Perego is an Italian visual artist, filmmaker, writer, and film producer. He is also known internationally as the husband of actress Zoe Saldaña. His career began in visual art before expanding into filmmaking and international film production.
How old is Marco Perego?
Marco Perego is 47 years old in 2026. He was born on March 1, 1979, in Salò, Italy.
Where is Marco Perego from?
Marco Perego is from Salò, Italy, in the Lombardy region. He later moved to the United States, where he developed his career as a visual artist before becoming increasingly involved in international filmmaking.
Who is Marco Perego’s wife?
Marco Perego’s wife is actress Zoe Saldaña. The couple met in 2013 and married privately in London later that year. They have remained together while pursuing careers in the arts and entertainment industries.
Does Marco Perego have children?
Yes. Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña have three sons: twins Cy and Bowie, born in 2014, and their younger son Zen, born in 2016.
What does Marco Perego do for a living?
Marco Perego works as a visual artist, filmmaker, and film producer. His career has included contemporary art exhibitions, film production, screenwriting, and directing. He has increasingly focused on independent and international cinema.
What movies has Marco Perego directed?
Marco Perego directed The Absence of Eden, released in 2023, and has also directed Dovecote. His feature film Petrichor is another major directing project and is part of his 2026 filmmaking work.
What happened to Marco Perego at Cannes in 2026?
Marco Perego achieved a historic result at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival as a producer. Fjord, which he produced, won the Palme d’Or, while Minotaur, another film he produced, won the Grand Prix. The result made him the first producer associated with both awards in the same Cannes edition.
What is Marco Perego’s net worth?
Marco Perego’s exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed. Although various websites publish estimated figures, there is no sufficiently reliable public information establishing an exact amount.
What is Marco Perego doing now?
In 2026, Marco Perego is active in film production, directing, and visual art. He is developing Petrichor and continues supporting international filmmakers through his production activities while maintaining his work as a contemporary artist.
Conclusion
Marco Perego’s story extends far beyond his marriage to Zoe Saldaña. From a professional soccer path that ended after an injury to a career in contemporary art and international filmmaking, he has built a distinctive creative identity.
His 2026 Cannes achievements marked one of the most important moments of his career, with Fjord winning the Palme d’Or and Minotaur receiving the Grand Prix. Alongside his work as a producer, his continuing visual-art practice and directing projects such as Petrichor show that Marco Perego remains an active figure across multiple creative disciplines.
