Bruno Mars grew up steeped in musical influence. Born Peter Gene Hernandez on Oct. 8, 1985, in Honolulu, Hawaii, his parents were very artistically inclined. His father, Peter Hernandez, led a Hawaiian doo-wop band, and his mother, Bernadette Hernandez, sang and danced in Hawaiian shows. From age four, he performed with his family’s band, the Love Notes. Mars also uncannily performed Elvis Presley impersonations.
By his early teens, he had taught himself piano, guitar, drums and other instruments while performing old-school hits at local venues. He attended Roosevelt High School, where he and his friends formed a band called the School Boys. After he finished school, he moved to Los Angeles to chase a dream in music. Initially signed to Motown in 2004, he was dropped a year later without releasing any music. Obviously, that setback failed to stop him.
How the ‘Unorthodox Jukebox’ Hitmaker’s Career Took Off
Bruno Mars’ career took off after writing and producing hits for other artists. Subsequently, he released his own debut album “Doo-Wops & Hooligans” (2010), which yielded major singles like “Just the Way You Are” and “Grenade.” He followed that with smash-hit albums including “Unorthodox Jukebox” (2012) and “24K Magic” (2016), cementing his place as one of pop and R&B’s biggest stars.
He has won 16 Grammy Awards, several American Music Awards, Brit Awards, Soul Train Awards and holds multiple Guinness World Records. He has sold over 150 million records globally and delivered some of the most enduring songs and performances of the past decade.
He Reportedly Dated Rita Ora From 2009 to 2011
Before Bruno Mars became a global superstar, his love life drew attention in ways that reflected his rising fame and charm. In the late 2000s, Cosmopolitan reports that he dated backup dancer Chanel Malvar, though little is known about that time since Bruno had not yet broken into the spotlight.
Soon after, he shared a romance with singer Rita Ora from 2009 to 2011, which she once described as “love at first sight,” according to Daily Mail. Ora explained, “I was 18 and starting out at Roc Nation. Bruno was unknown back then too. He was a struggling songwriter hired to write songs for me. I thought, ‘Wow, that’s just the world’s greatest guy!’ Our time together was wonderful. But once we got famous, work got in the way. We ended it last year. But we remained close.
Around 2011, rumors linked him to Sugababes member Amelle Berrabah, who, insiders claimed, felt smitten; however, their rumored connection never became official.
Are Bruno Mars and Jessica Caban Still Together?
Bruno Mars and model-actress Jessica Caban began dating in 2011 after meeting in New York, making her his longest relationship. Over recent years the relationship faced rumors of strain, particularly around 2024, with reports that the two spent time apart and Jessica removing photos of Bruno from her Instagram.
In 2025, Parade notes that Caban’s comments about “cheering from afar” while celebrating Mars’ accomplishments suggest the pair could’ve gone their separate ways. However, there has been no joint public statement confirming their breakup.
Is Bruno Mars Currently in a Relationship?
By mid-2025, Bruno Mars has not publicly confirmed a new relationship following the uncertainty around Jessica Caban. He continues to keep his romantic life very private, avoiding interviews or posts that would confirm a new serious relationship. Some media outlets still label Jessica Caban as his girlfriend or partner in 2025, but that may reflect an ongoing lag between private status and public confirmation. If there is someone new in his life, Bruno has not shared information with the press or through verified social media channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bruno Mars have a child?
No, Bruno Mars does not have any children
Is Bruno Mars a twin brother?
No, Bruno Mars is not a twin. He has one brother, but they are not twins.
What song made Bruno Mars famous?
“Just the Way You Are,” released in 2010 from his debut solo album, “Doo-Wops & Hooligans,” became a breakthrough. That song won him his first Grammy Award and paved the way for his mainstream success.