María José de Pablo Fernández, known professionally as Cote de Pablo, is a Chilean-American actress who rose to international fame through her portrayal of Ziva David on the long-running CBS series NCIS. Born in Santiago, Chile, and raised in Miami, she has built a career marked by one defining role, a deliberate retreat from the spotlight, and a recent return to the franchise she helped shape.
De Pablo first appeared as Ziva David in 2005, joining the cast of NCIS during its third season. Her character, a former Mossad officer turned NCIS agent, quickly became a fan favorite. She remained a series regular until 2013, later returning for guest appearances. In 2024, she announced her involvement in a new spinoff centered on her character and Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo.
Despite her visibility on screen, de Pablo keeps her personal life largely out of public view. She rarely gives interviews about her relationships or daily routines, and her social media presence is minimal. This privacy has fueled ongoing curiosity and speculation among fans.
Is Cote de Pablo Married? Who Is Her Partner?
María José de Pablo Fernández
November 12, 1979 (age 45)
Ziva David on NCIS (2005–2013, later guest appearances)
Estimated $6 million (2025)
- Cote de Pablo is best known for her 8-season run as Ziva David on NCIS, a role that made her a household name and earned her a dedicated fan base.
- Despite persistent rumors, de Pablo has not publicly confirmed a marriage nor has she been linked to a long-term partner in recent years.
- She maintains a relatively private personal life, rarely sharing details about her relationships or whereabouts on social media.
- De Pablo is set to executive produce and star in the upcoming NCIS spinoff Tony & Ziva, reuniting with co-star Michael Weatherly.
- She moved from Chile to the United States at age 10 and later attended Carnegie Mellon University.
- She left NCIS in 2013 citing a desire for new challenges and dissatisfaction with the show’s direction.
- Her return to the franchise in 2024 as executive producer signals a new level of creative control over her character’s legacy.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Profession | Actress, recording artist |
| Nationality | Chilean-American |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Education | Carnegie Mellon University |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Net worth | Approx. $6 million (2025) |
| Marital status | Not publicly confirmed as married |
| Children | No confirmed children |
Multiple sources indicate de Pablo had a long-term relationship with actor Diego Serrano that lasted from around 2000 to 2015. Neither party has publicly discussed the relationship in detail. As of early 2025, no reliable source confirms a current spouse or partner. One conflicting claim found in French Wikipedia suggests she is married with a child, but that assertion is contradicted by other sources and is not independently verified.
The question of whether de Pablo has a daughter also remains unresolved among public records. No credible biography mentions a child, and the rumor likely stems from confusion with a character she played or with another actress entirely. The actress herself has never mentioned having children in any available interview.
Where Is Cote de Pablo Now? What Is She Doing Currently?
De Pablo resides primarily in the United States, though she has not publicly disclosed a specific city or neighborhood. She maintains homes in both Los Angeles and the Miami area, according to longstanding industry reports.
The Tony & Ziva spinoff, announced in 2024, is in development for Paramount+. De Pablo serves as both star and executive producer. The series is expected to premiere in 2025 or 2026 and will follow the characters Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David as they navigate life as a couple and parents while running a private investigation firm. No other acting projects have been announced as of early 2025.
What Is Cote de Pablo’s Current Living Situation?
Geographic details about de Pablo’s residence remain sparse. She has not shared a home address or neighborhood on social media, and recent interviews do not mention her living arrangements. The lack of concrete information contributes to the persistent public interest in her daily life.
Is She Active on Social Media?
De Pablo maintains an Instagram account that she uses sparingly. Her profile describes her as “Actress | Traveler | Executive Producer of Tony & Ziva.” She occasionally posts travel photographs and updates about professional milestones but does not engage in regular lifestyle or personal content.
Cote de Pablo’s Movies and TV Shows: What Is Her Most Famous Role?
The character of Ziva David on NCIS remains de Pablo’s most recognized work. She joined the show in 2005 and appeared as a series regular for eight seasons, from season 3 through season 11. Her performance earned her multiple award nominations, including an ALMA Award for Favorite TV Actress in 2010.
Ziva David was introduced as a Mossad liaison officer to NCIS. Over time, the character became a full-fledged NCIS agent and developed a close partnership with Tony DiNozzo, played by Michael Weatherly. The unresolved romantic tension between the two characters became a central storyline and remains a major draw for the upcoming spinoff.
Early Television Work Before NCIS
Before landing her breakout role, de Pablo appeared in a handful of smaller television projects. She had a role on the short-lived series The $treet in 2001 and appeared in an episode of The Jury in 2004. She also worked as a host for the Spanish-language entertainment program Control, which gave her early exposure to a broad Latin American audience.
Film Credits
De Pablo has taken on relatively few film roles. She appeared in the 2010 Western The Last Rites of Ransom Pride and played a supporting role in The 33 (2015), the disaster drama about the Chilean mining accident. Both films received mixed reviews, and neither matched the cultural impact of her television work.
Is Cote de Pablo Returning to NCIS?
She is returning to the NCIS universe through the spinoff Tony & Ziva, rather than as a regular cast member on the original series. She made a guest return to the mothership show in 2019 during season 17, appearing in two episodes that resolved Ziva’s apparent death and brought closure to her storyline. A Rotten Tomatoes profile chronicles her filmography and critical reception across both television and film.
Cote de Pablo’s Net Worth, Height, and Age: Key Personal Stats
The figure of approximately $6 million cited by celebrity net worth databases is an estimate. De Pablo has not publicly confirmed her earnings or net worth, and no official financial disclosure exists. The number should be treated as speculative rather than verified fact.
De Pablo stands at about 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m), though sources vary slightly, listing her height as 1.69 m or 1.70 m depending on the database. She was born on November 12, 1979, in Santiago, Chile, making her 45 years old as of 2025. She holds dual Chilean and American citizenship.
All major biographical sources agree that de Pablo has no publicly confirmed children and has never been officially recorded as married. The persistent rumor about a daughter appears to have no basis in credible reporting. Her relationship with Diego Serrano is the only long-term partnership documented across multiple reliable outlets.
Does Cote de Pablo Have a Daughter?
No credible source confirms that de Pablo has a daughter. The question ranks among the most searched topics about her, but the answer appears to be a firm no based on available evidence. The confusion may stem from fan fiction, character storylines, or misattributed information about other actresses.
What Are the Key Milestones in Cote de Pablo’s Career?
- 1979 – Born in Santiago, Chile.
- 1990s – Moved to Miami, Florida; attended Carnegie Mellon University.
- 2001 – First acting credits (The $treet, The Jury).
- 2005 – Cast as Ziva David on NCIS (season 3).
- 2010 – Nominated for ALMA Award for Favorite TV Actress.
- 2013 – Left NCIS as a series regular (season 11).
- 2019 – Returned for NCIS season 17 guest appearance.
- 2024 – Announced as executive producer and star of NCIS spinoff Tony & Ziva.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Cote de Pablo’s Personal Life?
| Question | Status | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Is Cote de Pablo married? | Unconfirmed | No public records, statements, or reliable sources confirm a marriage. She has never publicly mentioned a spouse. |
| Does Cote de Pablo have a daughter? | Highly Unlikely | No credible source mentions a child. The question likely arises from confusion with a character or another actress. |
| What is her net worth? | Estimated | Figures are estimates from celebrity net worth sites. Not verified by de Pablo or her representatives. |
Why Did Cote de Pablo Leave NCIS and What Does Her Return Mean?
De Pablo’s departure from NCIS in 2013 was a major career pivot. In interviews at the time, she indicated that the decision was driven by a desire for new creative challenges and a sense that the show’s direction no longer aligned with her artistic goals. The move surprised many fans and led to widespread speculation about behind-the-scenes tensions.
Her return to the franchise in 2024 as executive producer of Tony & Ziva marks a significant shift in her relationship with the series. Rather than returning as a guest star under someone else’s creative vision, she now holds a leadership role that allows her to shape the story. This development suggests a reconciliation with the franchise and a willingness to engage with the character that defined her career.
De Pablo has long been regarded as one of the more private celebrities in Hollywood. She rarely grants extended interviews, and when she does, the conversations tend to focus on her work rather than her personal life. This deliberate boundary-setting has earned her respect from some observers and fueled persistent curiosity from fans.
Where Can You Find Reliable Information About Cote de Pablo?
The most authoritative source for biographical facts about de Pablo remains her Wikipedia entry, which is regularly updated and cites multiple primary and secondary sources. Her IMDb profile provides a comprehensive filmography and credit list. The Spanish Wikipedia page offers additional detail about her early life and Chilean background.
María José de Pablo Fernández (born November 12, 1979), known professionally as Coté de Pablo, is a Chilean-American actress.
— Wikipedia
Actress | Traveler | Executive Producer of Tony & Ziva
— Cote de Pablo, Instagram bio
For career milestones and critical reception, TV Insider offers a curated biography and news roundup. The French Wikipedia entry contains some claims that conflict with English-language sources, particularly regarding marital status, and should be read with that caveat in mind.
What Is the Full Picture of Cote de Pablo’s Life and Career?
Cote de Pablo is a talented actress who achieved extraordinary success through a single iconic role, then made the deliberate choice to step away from it. Her privacy, combined with the enduring popularity of Ziva David, has kept public curiosity alive for more than a decade. Now, with the Tony & Ziva spinoff on the horizon, she is stepping back into the spotlight on her own terms. For readers interested in similar celebrity profiles, the biography of Evangeline Lilly – Age, Height, Movies and Latest News offers a comparable look at another actress known for a transformative television role. Likewise, the story of Taylor Kinney – Age, Height, and Life Story in 2025 provides insights into another actor whose career was shaped by a long-running series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cote de Pablo have a daughter?
No credible source confirms that Cote de Pablo has a daughter. This appears to be a rumor or confusion with a character.
How old is Cote de Pablo?
She was born on November 12, 1979, making her 45 years old as of 2025.
What is Cote de Pablo’s nationality?
She is Chilean-American, born in Santiago, Chile, and raised in Miami, Florida.
Is Cote de Pablo returning to NCIS?
She is returning to the NCIS universe as a star and executive producer of the spinoff Tony & Ziva, but not as a regular on the original NCIS series.
What is Cote de Pablo’s height?
She stands about 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m), though some sources list 1.69 m or 1.70 m.
Who was Cote de Pablo’s long-term partner?
Multiple sources report a relationship with actor Diego Serrano from roughly 2000 to 2015.
What is Cote de Pablo’s most famous role?
Her most famous role is Ziva David on NCIS, which she played from 2005 to 2013 with later guest returns.
What is the Tony & Ziva spinoff about?
The spinoff follows Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David as a couple and parents running a private investigation firm. It is set for Paramount+.
Where did Cote de Pablo go to college?
She studied acting at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
When did Cote de Pablo leave NCIS?
She left as a regular cast member in 2013 after season 11, citing a desire for new creative directions.
Amelia Grant is Local Government Editor at RegionalReport.co.uk, covering council decisions, regional public policy, combined authorities, planning, housing and transport.