Penelope Cruz is attempting to overcome a lifelong fear of driving, known as amaxophobia, after receiving a car as a birthday gift from U2 frontman Bono. The actress, 52, revealed on the program Hot Ones that she has avoided obtaining a driver’s license due to childhood trauma from witnessing her sister, Monica Cruz, be hit by a vehicle.
Why did Penelope Cruz avoid driving until age 52?
Penelope Cruz attributed her decades-long avoidance of the driver’s seat to a specific traumatic event from her childhood. According to an interview with Elle magazine in February 2024, Cruz was eight or nine years old when she saw her younger sister, Monica, struck by a car.
Cruz recalled the vivid detail of Monica wearing a red coat during the accident. She described the moment as if “time stopped” and remembered the feeling of numbness while at the hospital. While Monica Cruz fully recovered and later pursued her own acting career, the event left Penelope with a deep-seated anxiety regarding road safety.
How did Bono influence her decision to get a license?
The shift in Cruz’s perspective came through a gesture from her friend, Bono. Speaking with host Sean Evans on Hot Ones, Cruz stated that the U2 singer gave her a car for her last birthday. While she did not specify the make or model of the vehicle, she identified the gift as the “biggest push” to finally confront her fear.
“After being given a car by Bono, I still don’t have a license? It sounds crazy,” Cruz told Evans. Despite the gift, she admitted that the fear remains “very deep” and that she still questions whether she will arrive safely every time she enters a vehicle.
What are the psychological drivers of amaxophobia?
Amaxophobia and vehophobia are typically triggered by traumatic experiences, such as witnessing or experiencing a traffic accident. In Cruz’s case, the trauma was rooted in a sibling’s near-fatal accident, creating a mental association between vehicles and extreme danger.
Psychological recovery from such phobias often involves gradual exposure. For Cruz, the transition from being a passenger—where she constantly worries about survival—to becoming a driver represents a significant step in reclaiming agency over her movement and safety.
FAQs About Penelope Cruz and Amaxophobia
What is amaxophobia?
It is an intense and persistent fear of being a passenger in or driving a vehicle, often stemming from a past traumatic event.
Who is Monica Cruz?
Monica is Penelope Cruz’s younger sister and a fellow actress. She was the victim of the car accident that caused Penelope’s lifelong fear.
Did Penelope Cruz finally get her license?
As of her recent interview on Hot Ones, she stated she was “starting to think about it again” following the gift from Bono, though she has struggled with the deep-seated fear for years.
What is the difference between amaxophobia and vehophobia?
Amaxophobia is a general fear of vehicles/travel, whereas vehophobia specifically refers to the extreme fear of the activity of driving.
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