Like her current husband, Silva has had more than one shot at love. In 2012 Silva married Govind Friedland, who had made his way to millions as a mining magnate.
It was only thanks to Friedland that Silva ended up in possession of the Hotel Villa Treville in Positano, on the Amalfi Coast of southern Italy. While working as the manager, Silva eventually had her vital run-in with Gere, leading her down yet another unexpected life path.
Her Childhood
Silva certainly didn't spend her entire childhood in Spain. She gained many of her qualifications through a school in Dorset in the United Kingdom but then went on to study marketing and advertising in her native country.
But there's much more to this woman than business acumen – she's also put her talents to use creating good things for the world as an activist. She's applied herself to several different causes and maintains that work to this day.
The Beautiful Life Fund
Silva has a strong belief in doing right by people and by the world. She's found (and founded) numerous worthy causes to promote. In 2007 she joined the Czech model and actress Karolina Kurkova, getting involved with the Beautiful Life Fund, which provides for the welfare of children.
A few years after that, she worked with Real Madrid's African Initiative Project, which organizes soccer competitions to help disadvantaged children integrate into communities. Her skills as a marketer and businesswoman helped both organizations grow.
Their Solid Connection
After the meeting in 2014, Silva told the U.K. Publication Daily Mail, “A friend introduced us; we looked at each other and felt a solid connection.”
The glance lasted more than a second; we're led to believe. Apparently, the couple couldn't stop looking at each other all night and are still up to the looks to this day.
Their Love Grew
Love blossomed between the pair quickly, and Silva even packed up and moved to New York City so she could be with Gere. As Silva and Richard grew closer, Silva found herself turning toward his religious beliefs, too. During an interview with "Hello!" magazine, she talked about her conversion to Buddhism.
She mentions she'll be eternally grateful to Richard for introducing her to the religion, and that her life has undoubtedly changed. We assume she means for the better.