While Jenna Ortega has come under the spotlight as Wednesday Addams, her off-screen life featured a close-knit family led by her parents, Edward and Natalie Ortega. The Ortegas, living near the landscapes of Palm Springs, California, have been the cornerstone of Jenna’s journey to stardom. Natalie, in particular, played a role in Jenna’s early acting career, often helping her get to the auditions in Los Angeles.
With her efforts, Jenna secured roles from the age of 12 in shows like ‘Jane The Virgin’ and ‘Stuck In The Middle.’ Today, the actress boasts over 39 million Instagram followers and a solid fanbase. Meanwhile, with 132 thousand followers, her mother offers glimpses into her life through her social media. Still, there may be some details you might have missed about her.
A Multilingual Heritage
Natalie Ortega’s linguistic skills are rooted in her family’s immigrant background. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she owes her bilingual skills to her grandmother, who came to the US as an illegal immigrant from a small ranch near Sinaloa, Mexico.
To protect her family, Natalie’s grandmother ensured her children attended English-speaking schools for fluency in the language to avoid unwanted attention. This approach extended to Natalie’s upbringing, where she and her siblings were encouraged to speak English. Jenna Ortega has mentioned that her parents also wanted her and her siblings to grow up bilingual to honor their cultural heritage.
A Dedicated Nurse
On her Instagram bio, Natalie describes herself as a nurse, among other roles. She is a Certified Emergency Nurse at Eisenhower Hospital in Rancho Mirage, California. Her career has seen her involved in special events, like a medical mission to Haiti in 2010 following a destructive earthquake where many people died. She played a role in emergency care and even helped a person deliver a baby there.
Married To A Businessman
Natalie’s life partner, Edward A. Ortega, is a successful businessman of Mexican and American heritage. While Edward keeps a low profile on social media, Natalie often shares glimpses of their life together. One post from 2019 shows the couple in France, enjoying a moment with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Natalie’s Instagram posts on occasions like Father’s Day also reveal her appreciation for Edward’s role in their family. Last year, while celebrating the day for every father out there, she wrote they were ‘so lucky to call this one [Edward] ours,’ thanking him for the things he did for the family.
Supporting Her Daughter’s Career
Natalie has played a specific role in Jenna’s acting career. Her decision to post a video of her daughter on Facebook set the wheels in motion, leading to a connection with a casting agent.
Jenna has spoken about her mother’s dedication in her interviews. She recalled the time Natalie spared to take her to the audition despite having a busy life and even gave her a shout-out while hosting Saturday Night Live in March 2023. At a press conference, the actress also said her family ‘sacrificed a lot so I could do what I do.’
A Mother Of Six
Natalie and Edward Ortega have six children, with Jenna being the fourth. The eldest son is Isaac, born in 1998, while the eldest daughter is 24-year-old Mariah. The other children are Mia, twin siblings Aaliyah and Markus, who were born in 2000 and 2004, respectively.
Natalie often shares updates on her children’s academic achievements, travels, and personal milestones, showing her pride in their lives.
