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Inside Jenna Ortega’s family life and Latino roots in California
Who are Jenna Ortega’s parents?
On screen, Jenna Ortega plays the gothic and brilliant Wednesday Addams, but off-screen, her real-life story is rooted in a vibrant, tight-knit Latino family. Born on September 27, 2002, Jenna is the fourth of six children raised by Edward and Natalie Ortega in California’s Coachella Valley. Her siblings, Isaac, Mariah, Mia, and twins Aliyah and Markus, have kept her grounded long before she became one of Hollywood’s biggest rising stars.
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Growing up in a household of six kids meant constant activity and a lot of teasing, which Jenna embraces. “I have five siblings, two brothers and three sisters. We all have scattered schedules and are kind of all over the place, but when we do get to spend time with each other, we make an effort to do so. We love to talk smack with one another and be goofy… but we’re all very supportive of each other,” she told PEOPLE.
Her sibling doesn’t get starstruck by her work. “They do not care at all what I do. I could come home from work with cool people, and they weren’t interested. They’d say, ‘Hey, you didn’t do the dishes before you left, so you’re doing them all week.’”
When it comes to her parents, Edward Ortega, a businessman, and Natalie Ortega, an ER nurse, worked tirelessly to support their children. Natalie, in particular, played a crucial role in launching Jenna’s career.
After posting a home video of her daughter on Facebook, a family friend connected them to a casting agent. By age 12, Jenna was booking roles in Jane the Virgin and Stuck in the Middle. Despite working long hours at the hospital, Natalie would make a six- to seven-hour round-trip from the Coachella Valley to Los Angeles for auditions. “She was one of the best ones,” Jenna said on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
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Jenna Ortega’s rise in Hollywood is fueled by family and heritage
The Ortegas’ roots stretch across Mexico, Puerto Rico, and beyond. Edward is Mexican American, while Natalie is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent. Jenna’s great-grandmother on her mother’s side emigrated from Sinaloa, Mexico, to the U.S., bringing with her traditions, resilience, and a passion for education. On her maternal grandfather’s side, the family traces back to Puerto Rico, where he was born before moving to New York as a child.
Despite her father’s Mexican heritage, he doesn’t speak Spanish, which made bilingual upbringing a challenge. “The plan was for [my mom] to speak it to us and for my father to speak English so that we could learn both languages,” Jenna told PopSugar. “Since my father does not speak Spanish, trying to teach us when we were little was a struggle.” Still, Jenna and her siblings were raised to value both languages and cultures.
Holidays in the Ortega household were marked by Mexican and Puerto Rican traditions: piñatas for birthdays, tamales at Christmas, and home-cooked meals that reflected their heritage. “My dad makes amazing tacos and carne asada and my mother makes the best homemade beans. My siblings and I cannot get enough!” Jenna said.
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Sports also played a big role in family life. As a self-described “big soccer family,” weekends often meant friendly competitions, always in Adidas gear, a nod to her later ambassadorship with the brand.
Jenna’s connection to her heritage extends into her career. From advocating for Latino representation to embracing roles that honor her cultural background, she has spoken openly about the pride she feels.
As her star continues to rise, Jenna Ortega remains firmly anchored by the values her parents instilled: humility, hard work, and pride in her roots. Whether walking red carpets with Edward and Natalie or sharing family traditions with fans, she carries her heritage into every stage she steps on.
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