What We Know About Anna Kournikova's Super-Private Relationship With Enrique Iglesias

Singer Enrique Iglesias and former tennis star and model Anna Kournikova have been tight-lipped about their relationship from day one. Over the years, we've been able to watch their developing careers — not to mention Kournikova's incredible style transformation — but hints about their private life have been few and far between. Since meeting on the set of Iglesias' 2001 music video for "Escape," the couple has only dropped occasional clues about the state of their romance, despite having three children and a shared history of over two decades.

While we respect their obvious wish for privacy, in some ways, this low profile makes us all the more curious. What do we actually know about the relationship between Kournikova and Iglesias, and how does their intense secrecy play a part in it? To get answers, we pored over the known details of their partnership and even reached out to a relationship expert for extra insight. Susan Trombetti, matchmaker and CEO of Exclusive Matchmaking, spoke exclusively to Glam about the significance of privacy in any pairing, including the long-time boundaries maintained by Iglesias and Kournikova. So, with the help of Trombetti's observations, here's what we know about this power couple.

When it comes to the restrained publicity around Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova's long relationship, there's one undeniable truth: Privacy is paramount to the celeb couple. Susan Trombetti suggests that this could be tied to their high-profile status. "Public people want to have privacy, especially with their relationships," the matchmaker exclusively explains to Glam. "Being private keeps your relationship special, and that's the case with Anna and Enrique."

This might disappoint some followers, who would love to see more from Kournikova and Iglesias, but Trombetti reminds us that it isn't necessary or even fair for celebrities to include us in every waking moment of their lives. "It doesn't all need to be public fodder. ... It's nobody's business," the matchmaker stresses. In fact, putting it all out there for public consumption can result in bad optics for major stars. Just look at famous celebrity dramas that have unfurled online, like the less-than-amicable breakup between Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber — an Instagram-fueled split that continues to divide fans and raise red flags in Bieber's current marriage.

For dignity's sake, it may be better to follow Iglesias and Kournikova by playing things close to the vest. That said, the reasoning behind this duo's privacy may not be so strategic. "They probably just want to keep something between the two of them," Trombetti says. After all, with their lives and careers so widely watched, "[t]hey need to save something that's just for them," Trombetti adds.

As dyed-in-the-wool celebrities, Anna Kournikova and Enrique Iglesias do maintain social media accounts, but they aren't active posters. Kournikova only shared one Instagram post in the whole of 2022 — a loving birthday tribute to Iglesias — and none at all in 2023. Meanwhile, Iglesias posts on his TikTok and Instagram accounts more often but mostly limits his content to promotional posts and clips from his concerts.

Susan Trombetti suggests that this quiet social media presence is a good thing for the Iglesias-Kournikova household, exclusively telling Glam, "The benefits of a private relationship are that you aren't inviting the world to have opinions, advice, or any commentary on what's going on." This can be especially critical for people already living in the public eye, like Kournikova and Iglesias. As Trombetti tells us, "In the case of Anna and Enrique, posting about their relationships would invite the public to think it's okay to invade their privacy."

Trombetti also praises the couple for separating their social media habits from any family drama or romantic disputes. Keeping your relationship issues off of social media is key for several reasons. For instance, Trombetti points out that "some people post their disagreements, and this lack of privacy can erode trust over time." Instead, the relationship expert recommends taking a cue from Iglesias and Kournikova: "Keeping something for yourself is definitely the way to go. It shows discretion and allows your partner to feel safe."

For many celebrity couples, maintaining public boundaries isn't just about protecting their own peace — it's also important for safeguarding their famous children. Anna Kournikova and Enrique Iglesias themselves share three kids. Twins Nicholas and Lucy were born in 2018, and they joined by little sister Mary in 2020. Each time, Kournikova and Iglesias were quiet about the pregnancy, and they continue to be private as the kids grow up.

Susan Trombetti cites this as a green flag. "When you have kids, you want to be private," she exclusively tells Glam. "Posting kids constantly on social media only invades their privacy. ... Do they want all that information out there before ... they are old enough to understand and make decisions for themselves?" It's a fair point. After all, we can name dozens of child stars who struggled in the spotlight, from Lindsay Lohan to Miley Cyrus. 

What's more, Trombetti notes that sharing photos of children, especially celebrity kiddos, can unwittingly open the door to digital dangers with location data. "You are putting your child's safety at risk. It's okay to reveal a photo or two of the happy family because people are curious, but that's about it," she explains. As for Iglesias and Kournikova, we're seeing more family posts as the children get older, but it's all relative. Scrolling through Kournikova's Instagram account, posts with the kids only seem to crop up months or even years apart. That's quite restrained when considering the very public existence of some nepo babies.

For such a notoriously insular couple, Anna Kournikova and Enrique Iglesias have been clear on one point: They never intend to become husband and wife. In the early days of their relationship, Kournikova put the brakes on this idea, even telling People in 2008, "I'm never getting married." At the time, Iglesias responded by telling People in another article that he kept trying to convince Kournikova to tie the knot, but that "she pays me no attention." Happily, this wasn't a deal-breaker, and the lack of an official marriage hasn't hampered their relationship. As the "Hero" singer told Parade in 2012, "I've never really thought marriage would make a difference. ... I don't think you love someone more because of a piece of paper."

Of course, these assertions haven't stopped the speculation that a secret wedding has already occurred. Some outlets were quick to read into a comment from Enrique Iglesias' brother, Julio Iglesias, who told the Spanish-language TV show "Y ahora Sonsoles" that "Enrique didn't have a big wedding" (via Madrid Metropolitan). There's also the fact that Kournikova's Instagram account lists her name as "Anna Kournikova Iglesias." 

However, Susan Trombetti points out that these conspiracy theories are par for the course for any secretive celebs. "Being too private ... causes people to try to dig up dirt on you and speculate," the matchmaker exclusively explains to Glam. "It's a fine line, and it's the same with any couple."

At this point, 2001 is well and truly in our rearview mirrors, but it seems that the passage of time hasn't dented the connection between Anna Kournikova and Enrique Iglesias, who still give all appearances of a committed partnership despite busy schedules, their celebrity lifestyle, and the general pressures of parenthood. Apparently, Kournikova doesn't even get jealous of Iglesias' close relationship with his fans. "I love embracing, kissing, and hugging my fans," Iglesias told People in 2023, and Kournikova's presence doesn't change that. On the contrary, the "Bailamos" singer reveals that his long-time partner defends him to critics.

Even this famous duo's ongoing secrecy might be evidence that things are going well. Rather than hiding problems, privacy may suggest that their relationship doesn't need to overcompensate with PDA. "When you post on social media, you are showing everyone you are a couple. ... There isn't anything wrong with that, and it can be cute," Susan Trombetti exclusively tells us. However, she adds, "[C]onstant posts and flowery words ... are a bit much. I feel the people who are doing that are trying to convince themselves and their friends they have a great relationship. It's masking other issues."

In the end, bragging less about a supposedly swoony romance can actually communicate so much more. As Trombetti explains, "The couples that have a great [relationship] don't need to say it. This is probably the case with Anna and Enrique."