Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist: Eva Longoria Reflects on Turning 50 & "Desperate Housewives" Fame

Release Date: March 23, 2025

In this engaging episode of NBC's "Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist," host Willie Geist sits down with the multifaceted Eva Longoria to discuss her illustrious career, personal milestones, and ongoing projects. The conversation offers listeners a deep dive into Eva's journey from her early days on a ranch in Texas to becoming a household name and influential philanthropist. Below is a detailed summary of their insightful discussion.

1. Introduction to Eva Longoria

Willie Geist begins by introducing Eva Longoria, reminiscing about her breakout role as Gabrielle Solis on "Desperate Housewives." He highlights her evolution from a beloved actress to a prominent producer, director, activist, and philanthropist.

Willie Geist [00:51]: "Eva Longoria first got to know Eva in 2004 when she played Gabrielle Solis on Desperate Housewives, the show that over the course of eight seasons became kind of a national sensation."

2. Celebrating Milestones: Turning 50

The conversation shifts to Eva's recent milestone—turning 50 years old. Both Willie and Eva share their thoughts and feelings about this significant age, emphasizing a positive outlook towards aging.

Eva Longoria [03:40]: "50 is just like that. I was like, oh, my gosh. I feel like life's going to be good."

Eva discusses her philosophy of approaching each decade with anticipation and gratitude, focusing on maintaining health and vitality.

Eva Longoria [05:01]: "What do I want the next 50 years to look like? And for me, I've said, like, I am of the philosophy, say yes... the second half of my life will be about saying no and just really curating my experiences."

3. Current Projects: "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip"

Eva delves into her latest project, a Disney Plus family movie titled "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip." She explains her passion for creating content that appeals to both children and parents, drawing parallels to classic family adventure films.

Eva Longoria [06:18]: "It's a fun road trip movie, but with the family. And it just happens to be a Latino family. So that representation also was something I was really proud of."

She highlights the importance of diversity in film, aiming to provide joyful and culturally rich narratives that differ from the usual portrayals of Latino characters.

4. Exploring Heritage: "Eva Longoria Searching for Spain"

Eva discusses her CNN series, "Searching for Spain," which explores her Spanish heritage and the cultural roots of her Mexican American background. Drawing inspiration from Stanley Tucci's "Searching for Italy," Eva embarks on a journey to Spain, connecting with her ancestors and uncovering familial ties.

Eva Longoria [12:14]: "Nobody has seen it. How did you get it? ... Spectacular. Really spectacular."

She emphasizes the show's goal to showcase the diverse regions of Spain beyond the well-known cities of Barcelona and Madrid, highlighting the country's rich culinary and cultural tapestry.

Eva Longoria [16:12]: "My family was under five different flags without ever moving. You know, the border crossed us."

5. Upbringing and Early Life on the Ranch

Eva reminisces about her childhood on a ranch outside Corpus Christi, Texas. She paints a vivid picture of her rural upbringing, involving daily farm chores, growing up barefoot, and the close-knit family dynamics.

Eva Longoria [20:53]: "We grew up with chickens, and we had to go get the eggs in the morning. We had to milk the cow for the milk that was going to go in the coffee."

This upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for nature, self-sufficiency, and the value of hard work, which she carries into her professional life.

6. Journey into Acting and "Desperate Housewives" Fame

Eva recounts her unexpected path into acting, which began as a result of participating in a beauty pageant to secure funding for her education. Despite initial reluctance and lack of experience, Eva's participation led her to win Miss Corpus Christi, opening doors to Hollywood.

Eva Longoria [25:44]: "I actually, when I moved to Hollywood, I feel like I was always a producer director that fell into acting."

Landing a role on "Desperate Housewives" was a turning point, bringing her widespread recognition and transforming her life dramatically.

Eva Longoria [26:02]: "I was born into a family that really made me into this person who is here drinking tequila with you."

7. Navigating Fame and Privacy in the Pre and Post-Social Media Era

Eva reflects on the challenges of fame before and after the advent of social media. She notes that while paparazzi and public interest were intense during the height of "Desperate Housewives," the rise of platforms like Twitter and Instagram has intensified the scrutiny and invasion of privacy.

Eva Longoria [30:21]: "Everybody's a journalist. You don't need the magazines anymore because there's, you know, everybody's reporting on our life."

She shares personal anecdotes about the pressures of maintaining privacy and the constant presence of cameras in her life, contrasting it with the relative anonymity she experienced before the digital age.

8. Philanthropy and the Eva Longoria Foundation

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Eva's philanthropic efforts. She elaborates on the mission of the Eva Longoria Foundation, which focuses on empowering women through education, entrepreneurship, and civic participation.

Eva Longoria [40:10]: "My foundation is about women reaching their full potential through educational programs, entrepreneurship programs... unlocking our country's potential is through women."

Eva highlights recent initiatives, including a $1 million donation to wildfire recovery efforts and the expansion of her foundation through a $50 million award from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez.

Eva Longoria [41:02]: "My foundation being a place where we can connect the dots is important."

She emphasizes the importance of creating infrastructure and opportunities for talented individuals who lack access, particularly Latina women in Hollywood.

Eva Longoria [38:42]: "Some people have the talent, not the access... building that infrastructure for them to get there easier is really exciting to me."

9. Margarita Making Segment

Adding a playful and personal touch to the episode, Eva and Willie engage in making homemade margaritas. This segment underscores Eva's love for cooking and mixology, showcasing her relaxed and fun personality.

Eva Longoria [43:05]: "I'm as impressed by everything you've done off screen as you have on, which is directing, producing, philanthropy..."

They prepare a strawberry mint margarita using Eva's tequila brand, Casa Del Sol, discussing the simplicity of the perfect margarita recipe.

Eva Longoria [45:21]: "Margarita is agave, lime, and tequila. That's all it is."

The segment concludes with both sharing a toast, celebrating Eva's 50th birthday and their friendship.

Willie Geist [48:54]: "Cheers, Eva."

10. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the conversation winds down, Willie applauds Eva for her multifaceted success and her contributions both on and off the screen. Eva humbly attributes her achievements to the strong, supportive women in her family who instilled in her the values of education and perseverance.

Eva Longoria [43:05]: "I was able to have my hands in almost every aspect from the bottle... there's a lot of things we do different."

Eva reflects on her journey with gratitude, acknowledging that while she never anticipated fame, her determination and resourcefulness led her to where she is today.

Eva Longoria [43:05]: "I was born into a family that really made me into this person who is here drinking tequila with you."

The episode wraps up with Willie expressing his admiration for Eva's accomplishments and wishing her continued success in her upcoming projects.

Willie Geist [44:34]: "You've done it. Congratulations on all your success."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Eva Longoria [03:40]: "50 is just like that. I was like, oh, my gosh. I feel like life's going to be good."

• Eva Longoria [05:01]: "What do I want the next 50 years to look like?... the second half of my life will be about saying no and just really curating my experiences."

• Eva Longoria [12:14]: "Nobody has seen it. How did you get it?... Spectacular. Really spectacular."

• Eva Longoria [16:12]: "My family was under five different flags without ever moving. You know, the border crossed us."

• Eva Longoria [25:44]: "I actually, when I moved to Hollywood, I feel like I was always a producer director that fell into acting."

• Eva Longoria [30:21]: "Everybody's a journalist... everybody's reporting on our life."

• Eva Longoria [38:42]: "Some people have the talent, not the access... building that infrastructure for them to get there easier is really exciting to me."

• Eva Longoria [40:10]: "My foundation is about women reaching their full potential through educational programs, entrepreneurship programs..."

• Eva Longoria [43:05]: "I was born into a family that really made me into this person who is here drinking tequila with you."

Closing Remarks

Eva Longoria's conversation with Willie Geist offers a comprehensive look into her life, career, and the values that drive her. From celebrating personal milestones to spearheading impactful philanthropic initiatives, Eva exemplifies a blend of talent, dedication, and heart. This episode is a must-listen for fans and anyone interested in the stories behind the stars shaping our culture.