Bruno Mars has said that he identifies as a Christian, and he often speaks of prayer and faith as guiding him through life.
| Full name | Peter Eugene Hernandez |
| Date of Birth | October 8, 1985 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Singer-songwriter, record producer |
| Religion | Christian |
What Religion is Bruno Mars?
Bruno Mars has spoken about Christianity as an important part of his life. He credits prayer with keeping him grounded amid fame and stress. In interviews and social media he has emphasized that faith gives him strength and perspective. For example, Beliefnet reports that Mars views his Christian faith as “a guiding light” and says prayer is “a pivotal” part of his daily routine. Much like Lady Gaga’s relationship with Christianity, he often thanks a higher power for his blessings and tries to stay humble and thankful, balancing the trappings of stardom with his spiritual values. Mars has not publicly discussed other religions; all available sources indicate he practices Christianity, shaped by his upbringing (his mother is Catholic, and he was raised in a Christian household).
Early Life
Bruno Mars was born Peter Hernandez in Honolulu, Hawaii, to a Puerto Rican percussionist father and a Filipina singer-dancer mother. He grew up in a musical family and began performing very young – by age four he was nicknamed “Little Elvis” and toured Hawaii impersonating Elvis Presley songs with his family band. (He even appeared as “Little Elvis” in the 1992 film Honeymoon in Vegas.)
As a teen in Hawaii, Mars taught himself piano, guitar, bass and percussion. After high school he moved to Los Angeles to pursue music, adopting the stage name Bruno Mars (his father had nicknamed him “Bruno,” and Mars joked that girls said he was “out of this world,” hence the name).
Career Highlights
Mars first found success as a songwriter and featured vocalist. He co-wrote and sang on the hit “Nothin’ on You” by B.o.B (2009) which reached No. 1 in the U.S. In 2010 he released his debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, spawning international hits like “Just the Way You Are” (which earned him a Grammy) and “Grenade”. He continued his success with 2012’s Unorthodox Jukebox (featuring “Locked Out of Heaven” and “When I Was Your Man”), and 2016’s 24K Magic, which won the Grammy for Album of the Year.
Mars also featured on Mark Ronson’s 2014 smash “Uptown Funk,” one of the decade’s biggest pop songs. In 2021 he formed the super-duo Silk Sonic with Anderson .Paak; their first single “Leave the Door Open” topped the charts. Mars has sold over 150 million records worldwide and scored nine Billboard Hot 100 #1 hits.
Personal Life
Mars tends to keep his personal life private. He comes from a large family (six children) and his siblings have all performed music (his brother Eric drums for Mars’s band). Since 2011 Mars has been in a long-term relationship with model Jessica Caban. They live together in California (and have a pet dog), but as of 2025 the couple has no children. Mars lost his mother in 2013, an event he described as a very difficult time but said he recovered by honoring her wish that he keep performing.
Awards and Honors
- Grammy Awards: 16 wins (including 3 Record of the Year awards)
- American Music Awards: 14 wins
- Brit Awards: 4 wins
- Guinness World Records: 8 records, including being the first male artist with multiple diamond-certified singles
- RIAA Diamond Singles: First artist with six RIAA Diamond-certified songs
Endorsements and Earnings
Outside of music, Mars has launched business ventures and endorsements. Notably, he is co-owner of SelvaRey Rum, a premium liquor brand. The company’s press releases note that SelvaRey is “owned and operated by … Bruno Mars”, and Mars has even directed advertising campaigns for the brand.
He has also collaborated with fashion companies (for example partnering with Puma on a sneaker line) and appeared in various lifestyle campaigns. His career earnings have been enormous: Billboard and Forbes report him consistently among the top-paid musicians. For instance, Forbes noted Mars earned about $60 million between mid-2013 and mid-2014, and a whopping $100 million in 2017. That year Forbes named him the highest-paid musician in the U.S. Similar to how Kendrick Lamar has balanced commercial success with personal values, Mars’s income comes from record sales, sold-out tours, his Las Vegas residencies, and his business ventures.
