Caridad Rivera has spent much of her life outside the glare of Hollywood publicity, even though she has been married to actor Matthew Modine for more than four decades. While Modine is widely recognized for films such as Full Metal Jacket, Birdy, The Dark Knight Rises, and Oppenheimer, as well as his role as Dr. Martin Brenner in Stranger Things, Rivera has maintained a much quieter public profile.
That doesn’t mean she has no connection to the entertainment business of her own. Caridad Rivera has been described as a makeup and wardrobe stylist, and her creative background has given her a professional identity beyond being Matthew Modine‘s wife. The couple met in New York before Modine became a major Hollywood name and married on October 31, 1980. They later welcomed two children, Boman and Ruby Modine. IMDb lists Caridad Modine as Matthew’s spouse from October 31, 1980, to the present.
The story of Caridad Rivera is therefore less about celebrity glamour and more about longevity, family and a creative life largely lived away from the headlines. Her marriage to Matthew has lasted through nearly every stage of his acting career, while both of their children have gone on to pursue careers in the entertainment industry themselves.
Quick Bio Information
Name: Caridad Rivera.
Also Known Publicly As: Caridad Modine.
Profession: Makeup And Wardrobe Stylist.
Heritage: Puerto Rican.
Birthplace: Lower East Side Of Manhattan, New York.
Husband: Matthew Modine.
Marriage Date: October 31, 1980.
Marriage Length: Nearly 46 Years In 2026.
Children: Two.
Son: Boman Modine.
Daughter: Ruby Modine.
Boman’s Profession: Filmmaker, Director, Producer And Assistant Director.
Ruby’s Profession: Actress And Music Artist.
Boman’s Birth Date: November 8, 1985.
Matthew Modine’s Profession: Actor.
Matthew’s Birth Date: March 22, 1959.
Notable Matthew Modine Film: Full Metal Jacket.
Notable Television Role: Dr. Martin Brenner In Stranger Things.
Notable Ruby Modine Projects: Shameless, Happy Death Day, And Silent Night, Deadly Night.
Caridad Rivera’s Early Life And Background
There isn’t a great deal of verified information available about Caridad Rivera’s childhood, and that is something worth acknowledging rather than filling in with speculation. Public profiles identify her as being from Manhattan’s Lower East Side and of Puerto Rican heritage. Her professional life has also been connected with makeup and wardrobe work in the entertainment world.
Much of what is known about her family background comes through her daughter, Ruby Modine. In a 2017 interview, Ruby spoke about her Puerto Rican roots and explained that her mother was born and raised on New York City’s Lower East Side, also known as Alphabet City. Ruby also discussed her maternal grandparents and the family’s connection to Puerto Rico.
Those details provide a valuable glimpse into Caridad’s roots, but they don’t amount to a complete childhood biography. There is limited reliable public information about her education, early career or personal life before she met Matthew. For that reason, the most responsible approach is to separate documented information from details that remain private.
What Does Caridad Rivera Do For A Living?
Caridad Rivera has been described as a makeup and wardrobe stylist, giving her a professional connection to the entertainment business that is separate from her husband’s acting career.
Makeup and wardrobe professionals play an important role in shaping the visual identity of film, television and other productions. Their work can involve creating a character’s appearance, maintaining continuity and helping performers fit the visual world of a project.
Caridad’s career is particularly relevant because she is sometimes introduced only as “Matthew Modine’s wife.” That description explains her connection to a well-known actor, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Rivera has had her own place within the creative world.
Her career also fits naturally into the wider Modine family story. Matthew became known primarily as an actor, Caridad worked in styling and creative production, Boman developed a career behind the camera, and Ruby pursued acting and music.
How Did Caridad Rivera Meet Matthew Modine?
Caridad Rivera and Matthew Modine met in New York when Matthew was working as a chef at a restaurant. It was a very different chapter of his life from the one audiences would later associate with him.
Matthew has recalled the meeting as an immediate attraction. According to accounts of his interview, he came out of the restaurant kitchen wearing his chef’s clothes and was instantly taken with Caridad. PEOPLE has also described their relationship as beginning when Matthew was working as a restaurant chef in New York.
The story is striking partly because of what happened afterward. Caridad met Matthew before Birdy, Full Metal Jacket and the rest of his major filmography had made him a recognizable Hollywood actor. Their relationship therefore began when his professional future was still being established.
When Did Caridad Rivera And Matthew Modine Get Married?
Caridad Rivera and Matthew Modine married on October 31, 1980. IMDb lists Caridad Modine as Matthew’s spouse from that date to the present and confirms that the couple have two children.
Their marriage has now lasted nearly 46 years as of 2026. That’s an important part of the Caridad Rivera story because their relationship has endured through virtually every stage of Matthew’s professional life.
When they married, Matthew was still at the beginning of his acting career. Over the following decades, he would establish himself with films such as Birdy and Full Metal Jacket, take on a wide range of roles, and eventually reach a new generation of viewers through Stranger Things.
Caridad has consequently been part of his life both before and after the fame.
Inside Caridad Rivera And Matthew Modine’s Long Marriage
Matthew has spoken publicly about the qualities he values in a long-term relationship. In comments reported by Closer Weekly, he explained that he wanted a partner who could also be a friend, someone who shared his interests, challenged him and was intellectually strong.
That description offers more insight into the couple’s relationship than simply pointing out how many years they’ve been married. It suggests that Matthew has viewed Caridad as a true partner and companion rather than simply as a spouse accompanying him through a Hollywood career.
Their marriage has also continued through major changes in Matthew’s professional life. His early career included critically recognized films, while his later work has included major productions such as The Dark Knight Rises and Oppenheimer. His role as Dr. Martin Brenner in Stranger Things then introduced him to a much younger audience.
In 2025, PEOPLE reported that Matthew reflected on his own long marriage while discussing his experience officiating Millie Bobby Brown’s wedding. The occasion gave him another opportunity to speak about the lasting relationship he has shared with Caridad.
Caridad Rivera And Matthew Modine’s Children
Caridad Rivera and Matthew Modine have two children: Boman Modine and Ruby Modine. Both have pursued careers connected to entertainment, although their professional paths are quite different.
Boman has worked primarily behind the camera, with credits involving directing, producing, writing and assistant directing. Ruby, meanwhile, has built a career as an actress and music artist.
That difference makes the family’s story particularly interesting. Matthew’s career has largely been in front of the camera, while Boman has worked behind it and Ruby has developed her own career as a performer.
Their children’s careers also show that the family’s connection to the entertainment industry extends well beyond Matthew’s acting work.
Who Is Boman Modine?
Boman Modine is Caridad Rivera and Matthew Modine’s son. His birth date is listed as November 8, 1985, and public film databases identify him as a filmmaker with experience in directing, writing, producing and assistant directing.
Rather than following directly in his father’s footsteps as an actor, Boman chose to work behind the scenes. His career has involved the filmmaking process from a number of different angles, giving him an independent identity within the industry.
One notable project associated with Boman is the short film Merry Xmas. IMDb’s awards database records festival nominations for the project at the Tribeca Film Festival and Oldenburg Film Festival in 2015.
Those credits are important because they demonstrate that Boman has pursued filmmaking in his own right. While having Matthew Modine as a father inevitably attracts attention, Boman’s professional work provides a separate reason for interest in his career.
Boman Modine’s Work Behind The Camera
Boman’s career offers an interesting contrast with Matthew’s. While audiences know Matthew primarily because of the characters he has played, Boman has spent much of his professional life working on the filmmaking side of production.
His work has included directing, producing, writing and assistant directing. His short-film work has also brought festival recognition, including the nominations associated with Merry Xmas.
That behind-the-camera path is significant within Caridad Rivera’s family story. Both of her children entered entertainment, but neither simply copied the same career route. Boman developed his own interests in filmmaking, while Ruby gravitated toward acting and music.
The result is a family with several different creative disciplines represented across two generations.
Who Is Ruby Modine?
Ruby Modine is Caridad Rivera and Matthew Modine’s daughter. Born on July 31, 1990, she has established herself as an actress and singer. IMDb identifies her as Ruby Wylder Rivera Modine and confirms her parents as Matthew Modine and Caridad Modine.
Ruby became widely recognized for playing Sierra Morton in the television series Shameless. She also appeared as Lori Spengler in the 2017 horror film Happy Death Day and returned for its sequel, Happy Death Day 2U.
Her career has continued beyond those early successes. Her credits include projects such as Silent Night, Deadly Night and Dead Giveaway, while her work in music has developed alongside her acting career.
That combination makes Ruby another example of the family’s broader creative identity. Like her father, she works on screen, but she has also developed a separate identity as a musician.
Ruby Modine’s Acting Career And Achievements
Ruby’s acting career has grown considerably since her early work in television and film. Her role in Shameless helped introduce her to television audiences, while Happy Death Day gave her a place in a popular horror franchise.
She later continued working in horror and thriller projects, including Silent Night, Deadly Night and Dead Giveaway. IMDb also lists her as a singer and songwriter, reflecting the range of her creative work.
Her work has received festival recognition as well. IMDb’s awards database lists a 2025 Philadelphia Film Festival Best Chemistry — Honorable Mention for Dead Giveaway, shared with Ian Kimble and Mikaela Hoover.
That distinction is worth stating accurately. Rather than broadly calling Ruby an “award-winning actress” without context, it’s more informative to explain the specific recognition she received.
Her career also continues to develop, with IMDb listing additional projects and music work. Because film projects can change during development, those credits should be checked again whenever this biography is updated.
Matthew Modine’s Career And The Family Connection
Matthew Modine’s career provides the context for much of the public interest in Caridad Rivera. Born March 22, 1959, he began acting professionally in the early 1980s and soon appeared in films including Birdy and Full Metal Jacket. His career later expanded into a wide range of film and television projects.
One factual distinction is important when discussing his filmography. Birdy was not directed by Christopher Nolan. Matthew’s Christopher Nolan credits include The Dark Knight Rises and Oppenheimer. Keeping those films separate from Birdy makes the biography more accurate.
Matthew’s work in Stranger Things introduced him to another generation of viewers. His performance as Dr. Martin Brenner became one of his most recognizable television roles and helped connect his decades-long film career with a newer audience.
For Caridad, that career history is part of the backdrop to a marriage that began long before any of those projects existed.
Caridad Rivera’s Life Away From Hollywood
One of the most important things to understand about Caridad Rivera is how little of her private life has been made public. Compared with Matthew, she has remained largely outside the celebrity news cycle.
That means a trustworthy Caridad Rivera biography shouldn’t attempt to manufacture details about her daily life, friendships, home, finances or private family relationships. The information that is available is enough to tell a meaningful story without speculation.
What we do know is that she has a professional background in makeup and wardrobe, a decades-long marriage to Matthew Modine and two children who have established careers in entertainment.
Her relatively private approach is itself notable. In an industry where personal lives can become part of the public conversation, Caridad has largely allowed her work and family to speak for themselves.
Where Is Caridad Rivera Now?
As of 2026, Caridad Rivera remains publicly identified as Matthew Modine’s wife and the mother of Boman and Ruby Modine. IMDb continues to list Matthew and Caridad as married, with two children.
Detailed information about Caridad’s current professional schedule isn’t widely available. For that reason, it’s more accurate to discuss her established career and family than to assign her specific current projects without strong supporting evidence.
Her family, however, remains connected to entertainment. Boman continues to work in filmmaking, Ruby has maintained careers in acting and music, and Matthew remains an active figure in film and television.
That ongoing family connection keeps Caridad Rivera relevant to readers who want to understand the woman behind one of Hollywood’s longest-running actor marriages.
Final Thoughts
Caridad Rivera’s story goes well beyond the simple description of “Matthew Modine’s wife.” She has her own background in makeup and wardrobe, has shared more than four decades of marriage with Matthew, and is the mother of two children who have developed creative careers of their own.
Her relationship with Matthew began before he became a household name. They met in New York while he was working as a chef and married in 1980. Since then, their marriage has spanned the many chapters of his career, from acclaimed films of the 1980s to The Dark Knight Rises, Oppenheimer and his later television success in Stranger Things.
Their children have taken different routes through the entertainment world. Boman has worked behind the camera as a filmmaker, director and producer, while Ruby has established herself as an actress and music artist. Their careers give the family an entertainment connection that extends well beyond Matthew’s achievements.
For anyone searching for a Caridad Rivera biography, the most useful perspective is a balanced one. She is connected to a famous Hollywood family, but that connection doesn’t define everything about her. Her professional background, long marriage and family story make her an interesting subject in her own right.
FAQs About Caridad Rivera
Who Is Caridad Rivera?
Caridad Rivera is a makeup and wardrobe stylist who is best known publicly as the longtime wife of actor Matthew Modine. The couple married on October 31, 1980, and have two children, Boman and Ruby.
When Did Caridad Rivera Marry Matthew Modine?
Caridad Rivera married Matthew Modine on October 31, 1980. Their marriage has continued for nearly 46 years as of 2026, making it one of the longest-running celebrity marriages associated with a major Hollywood actor.
How Did Caridad Rivera Meet Matthew Modine?
Caridad and Matthew met in New York when Matthew was working as a restaurant chef. Matthew has described being immediately attracted to her when they first met. PEOPLE has also reported that their relationship began during this period of Matthew’s life.
How Many Children Do Caridad Rivera And Matthew Modine Have?
Caridad Rivera and Matthew Modine have two children, Boman Modine and Ruby Modine. Boman has pursued filmmaking and production, while Ruby has developed careers in acting and music.
Who Is Boman Modine?
Boman Modine is Caridad Rivera and Matthew Modine’s son. He works in filmmaking and has been associated with directing, writing, producing and assistant directing. His work has included short films and other production projects.
Who Is Ruby Modine?
Ruby Modine is Caridad Rivera and Matthew Modine’s daughter. She is an actress and music artist known for Shameless, Happy Death Day and Happy Death Day 2U, among other projects.
What Does Caridad Rivera Do?
Caridad Rivera has been described as a makeup and wardrobe stylist. Her work gives her an independent professional connection to the entertainment industry beyond her marriage to Matthew Modine.
Is Caridad Rivera Still Married To Matthew Modine?
Yes. Publicly available biographical records continue to list Caridad Modine as Matthew Modine’s wife. IMDb records their marriage as beginning on October 31, 1980, and continuing to the present, with two children.
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