Nicolas Cage, an actor known for his performances that span the whimsical to the intense, has real-life love stories that are just as captivating. At 60, he has been married five times, with his current wife being more than 20 years his junior, reflecting a love journey as unpredictable as the roles he embodies.
Cage, a nephew of the legendary director Francis Ford Coppola, boasts a chapter of romances that include unions with Patricia Arquette and the late Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of the iconic Elvis Presley. Currently basking in marital bliss with his fifth wife, Riko Shibata, 29, whom he wed in 2021, Cage demonstrates how love knows no bounds—even when technology steps in and one has to propose virtually.
Nicolas Cage & Riko Shibata: A Love Story Like No Other
In the words of the great poet Maya Angelou, “Love recognizes no barriers.” This rings particularly true for Nicolas Cage and his wife, Riko Shibata, whose relationship has flourished in a world often filled with fleeting romances.
Since tying the knot on February 16, 2021, in a “very small and intimate wedding at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas”, (per PEOPLE) their bond has only grown stronger. This marriage marks Cage’s fifth, but as he noted to the Los Angeles Times:
I’m really happily married. I know five is a lot, but I think I got it right this time.
The couple graced their first joint magazine cover for Flaunt magazine in 2021, marking a significant milestone in their relationship. Just a year later, on September 7, 2022, they celebrated the arrival of their first child together, daughter August Francesca.
So, how did they meet? Cage met her through mutual friends while filming Prisoners of the Ghostland in Shiga, Japan (via Flaunt Magazine).
In 2020, Cage revealed their engagement on his brother Marc Coppola’s radio show. The Fast Times at Ridgemont High star shared:
She left New York and went back to Kyoto, Japan, and I went back to Nevada and I haven’t seen her for six months.
Feeling a strong connection, Cage decided to propose to her during a FaceTime call, highlighting the modern twist of their engagement amid the challenges of long-distance communication:
We were really happy together and we were really excited to spend that time together so I finally just said, ‘Look, I wanna marry you,’ and we got engaged on FaceTime.
He also explained the thought behind the black diamond engagement ring he chose for Shibata, saying:
Her favorite color is black, so she wanted the black gold, and the black diamond. I found it, customized and personalized it, and I actually sent it to her via FedEx.
This moment underscores the depth of their feelings and their desire to commit to each other, even when physically apart. It truly was not anything like we had seen before.
Love Beyond Numbers: Nicolas Cage and Riko Shibata’s Significant Age Gap
When it comes to love, age is merely a number, or so the saying goes. Nicolas Cage and Riko Shibata embody this sentiment beautifully. Cage, at 60, tied the knot with 29-year-old Shibata in 2021. Fast forward to today, and they have blossomed into a family, welcoming their first child together, named August Francesca.
As mentioned above, their romance began on the set of the film Prisoners of the Ghostland in Japan. As Cage himself reflected (via Complex):
It’s kind of amazing to me still that ‘Prisoners of the Ghostland’ even got made.
Cage, a seasoned actor with a remarkable career, has two sons from previous relationships, but the arrival of his daughter with Shibata has sparked a renewed sense of joy in him. In an interview with Access Hollywood, he expressed his excitement:
I’m extremely excited! My boys are all grown up, and I miss going to the toy store. I miss singing lullabies and rocking in the rocking chair.
Cage and Shibata’s relationship keeps growing stronger, proving that they’re more than just a couple—they’re proud parents tackling the ups and downs of raising a child.
Note that the Con Air star has had his share of romantic entanglements, having been married to Patricia Arquette from 1995 to 2001, Lisa Marie Presley from 2002 to 2004, and Alice Kim from 2004 to 2016.
