Cote de Pablo Married, Movies, TV Shows, Net Worth, Daughter

Cote de Pablo is a Chilean-American actress and singer best known for playing Ziva David on the popular CBS crime drama NCIS.

Her portrayal of the intelligent and fearless Mossad officer made her one of the most recognized television actresses of her generation.

Besides acting, she is also known for her musical talent and contributions to several soundtrack projects.

Who is Cote de Pablo?

Cote de Pablo is a Chilean-American actress, singer, and producer famous for her role as Ziva David on NCIS.

Her real name is María José de Pablo Fernández, and she became internationally recognized after joining the CBS series in 2005.

Her performance on NCIS earned critical praise and several awards, including an ALMA Award for Favorite Television Actress in a Drama.

Fans admired her strong screen presence, emotional depth, and chemistry with the cast, particularly Michael Weatherly.

Apart from acting, Cote has also showcased her singing abilities on television soundtracks and music collaborations.

Despite her fame, she is known for living a private and low-key lifestyle away from Hollywood attention.

Cote de Pablo Early Life & Education

Cote de Pablo was born as María José de Pablo Fernández on November 12, 1979, in Santiago, Chile.

She was raised in a supportive family alongside her brother Francisco and sister Andrea. Her father worked as a civil engineer, while her mother worked in television and theater.

At the age of 10, Cote moved to Miami, Florida, after her mother accepted a job at a Spanish-language television network.

The transition from Chile to the United States was a major cultural shift for her, especially because she had to learn English and adapt to a completely new environment.

She attended Arvida Middle School before enrolling at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, where she developed a passion for acting and musical theater.

During this period, she adopted the nickname “Coté,” which is commonly used in Chile for people named María José.

After high school, she studied musical theater at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and participated in several stage productions that helped sharpen her acting and singing abilities.

Cote de Pablo Age

Cote de Pablo is 46 years old as of 2026 because she was born on November 12, 1979, in Santiago, Chile.

According to her birth date, her zodiac sign is Scorpio.

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Cote de Pablo Nationality and Ethnicity

Cote de Pablo holds both Chilean and American nationalities. Although she was born in Chile, she spent much of her life in the United States after moving to Miami during childhood.

Her ethnicity is Latina with Chilean heritage. Cote has often spoken proudly about her Latin American roots and cultural background.

Her bilingual abilities in English and Spanish also played an important role in shaping her acting and music career.

Early Career in Television and Hosting (1994–2003)

Cote de Pablo began her professional entertainment career in 1994 when she became the co-host of the Latin American talk show Control on Univision.

At just 15 years old, she worked alongside actor and singer Carlos Ponce, gaining early exposure to television production and live hosting.

The show introduced her to the entertainment industry and helped her build confidence in front of the camera.

During this period, Cote also developed a strong interest in acting and musical theater, which later influenced her decision to pursue professional training.

After moving to the United States with her family, she focused heavily on education while adapting to a new culture and language.

Following her graduation from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in musical theater, she relocated to New York City to pursue acting professionally.

Like many aspiring actresses, Cote struggled during her early years in the industry. She worked several side jobs, including waitressing, while attending auditions and taking smaller acting opportunities.

During this stage of her career, she appeared in commercials and secured minor roles in television series such as All My Children, The Education of Max Bickford, and The $treet.

Although these appearances were relatively small, they helped her gain industry experience and establish important professional connections.

Breakthrough with NCIS and International Fame (2004–2013)

Cote de Pablo’s major acting breakthrough arrived in 2004 when she was cast in the legal drama The Jury.

She played Marguerite Cisneros in the Fox series, which showcased her dramatic acting skills and opened doors to larger television opportunities.

Her life changed dramatically in 2005 when she joined the CBS crime procedural NCIS as Ziva David.

Initially introduced as a Mossad liaison officer from Israel, Ziva quickly became one of the show’s most beloved and recognizable characters.

Cote’s portrayal stood out because of the emotional complexity she brought to the role.

Ziva was intelligent, fearless, emotionally guarded, and highly skilled in combat, making her different from many female television characters at the time.

Fans also praised her strong on-screen chemistry with Michael Weatherly, who played Tony DiNozzo.

During her time on NCIS, Cote appeared in more than 180 episodes and became one of the series’ central stars.

Her performance earned widespread recognition and several award nominations, including Imagen Awards and ALMA Awards.

In 2011, she won the ALMA Award for Favorite Television Actress in a Leading Role in Drama.

The success of NCIS transformed Cote into an internationally recognized television actress and significantly increased her popularity worldwide.

Departure from NCIS and Career Transition (2013–2018)

In 2013, Cote de Pablo shocked fans by leaving NCIS during Season 11.

The actress later revealed that her decision was mainly driven by dissatisfaction with the creative direction of her character.

She explained in interviews that she wanted Ziva David to be treated with greater respect and depth, and she felt the storyline was no longer developing in a meaningful way.

Her exit became one of the most emotional departures in the history of the series. After leaving NCIS, Cote focused on exploring different acting opportunities.

In 2015, she appeared in the historical drama miniseries The Dovekeepers, based on Alice Hoffman’s bestselling novel. Her performance demonstrated her versatility outside the crime-drama genre.

She also starred in the 2015 survival drama film The 33, which was based on the real-life Chilean mining disaster of 2010.

Because of her Chilean heritage, the project held personal significance for her. Critics praised her emotional performance and connection to the story.

During this phase of her career, Cote also became interested in producing. She collaborated with former NCIS co-star Michael Weatherly on television development projects, including the detective drama MIA.

Although some projects did not move forward, the experience expanded her involvement behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.

Return to NCIS and New Career Era (2019–Present)

Cote de Pablo made a highly anticipated return to NCIS in 2019 during the Season 16 finale.

Her surprise comeback created massive excitement among fans because Ziva David had previously been presumed dead in the series storyline.

Her return continued into Season 17, where viewers finally received closure regarding Ziva’s disappearance and reunion with the NCIS team.

The episodes achieved strong ratings and generated major online discussion across television fan communities.

In recent years, Cote has continued to maintain a selective approach toward acting projects.

Rather than appearing constantly in television and film, she has focused on quality roles and projects she personally connects with.

In 2024, Paramount+ officially announced the upcoming spin-off series NCIS: Tony & Ziva, starring Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly.

The project marks one of the most significant moments of her recent career and reunites two of the franchise’s most iconic characters.

The series is expected to introduce a new chapter in her professional journey while reconnecting her with longtime fans worldwide.

Even after decades in the entertainment industry, Cote remains one of television’s most respected and admired actresses.

Cote de Pablo Awards and Achievements

Cote de Pablo has received several awards and nominations for her performances in television and film, especially for her role as Ziva David on NCIS.

Her acting talent and strong screen presence helped her gain recognition from major entertainment organizations.

Some of her most notable awards and achievements include:

• ALMA Award (2011) – Favorite Television Actress in a Drama for NCIS
• Imagen Award (2006) – Best Supporting Actress in Television for NCIS
• Imagen Award (2016) – Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film for The 33
• Multiple ALMA Award Nominations for her work on NCIS
• Multiple Imagen Award Nominations for television performances

Her portrayal of Ziva David remains one of the most iconic characters in modern television drama and continues to be celebrated by fans worldwide.

Cote de Pablo Movies and TV Shows

Some of Cote de Pablo’s most popular movies and television shows include:

• NCIS
• NCIS: Tony & Ziva
• The 33
• The Dovekeepers
• NCIS: Los Angeles
• The Jury
• The $treet
• The Education of Max Bickford
• Control
• All My Children

Cote de Pablo Songs

Some notable songs associated with Cote de Pablo include:

• Temptation
• Gracias a la Vida
• Samba in Prelude
• Cry Me a River
• I Don’t Believe It Anymore
• Buried Alive

What is the real reason Cote de Pablo left NCIS?

Cote de Pablo left NCIS in 2013 because she was unhappy with the direction of her character, Ziva David.

In later interviews, she explained that she did not feel the writers were giving Ziva the kind of storyline the character deserved.

Since Ziva had become one of the most loved characters on the show, Cote wanted her journey to have more depth and meaning instead of being pushed in a direction she did not agree with.

Even though many fans believed money or behind-the-scenes problems caused her exit, Cote made it clear that her decision was mainly creative.

Leaving the show was emotional for her because she had spent many years working closely with the cast and crew.

In 2019, she returned to NCIS after the producers created a stronger storyline for Ziva, and her comeback became a huge moment for longtime fans of the series.

What is Cote de Pablo doing nowadays?

Cote de Pablo is currently focused on acting and producing projects connected to the NCIS franchise.

In recent years, she returned to the spotlight through the upcoming NCIS: Tony & Ziva series alongside Michael Weatherly.

She continues to keep a private lifestyle and rarely makes public appearances outside professional events and interviews.

Fans remain highly interested in her future projects because of her enduring popularity from NCIS.

Social Media Appearance

Cote de Pablo keeps a very private life and is not officially active on social media platforms like Instagram, X, Facebook, or TikTok.

Although many fan pages share updates, photos, and clips from her career, they are not managed by the actress herself.

Despite her limited online presence, she continues to have a strong global fan following, especially for her role as Ziva David in NCIS.

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Cote de Pablo Net Worth 2026

Cote de Pablo has an estimated net worth of around $6 million as of 2026.

She primarily makes money through her acting career, especially from her longtime role as Ziva David on NCIS.

She has also earned income from movies, television appearances, music performances, soundtrack contributions, and production projects.

In addition, she has reportedly benefited from endorsements and entertainment-related collaborations throughout her career.

Cote de Pablo Husband

Cote de Pablo is not married as of 2026 and does not currently have a husband.

However, she was previously in a long-term relationship with Ecuadorian-born actor Diego Serrano.

Their relationship lasted for nearly 15 years and remained one of the most talked-about parts of Cote’s personal life.

Cote and Diego reportedly began dating in the early 2000s while both were building their careers in the entertainment industry.

Despite being together for many years, the couple chose to keep their relationship largely private and rarely shared details publicly.

They occasionally appeared together at red carpet events and industry functions, but they avoided excessive media attention.

In past interviews, Cote spoke warmly about Diego and described him as someone who brought balance and adventure into her life.

She once explained that while she preferred quiet evenings at home, Serrano encouraged her to be more spontaneous and enjoy new experiences.

Their relationship was often described as supportive and stable compared to many Hollywood romances.

In 2015, reports confirmed that the couple had ended their relationship after approximately 15 years together.

Neither Cote nor Diego publicly shared many details about the breakup, reflecting their continued preference for privacy.

Since their separation, Cote has not publicly confirmed any new romantic relationships or marriage plans.

Over the years, fans have linked Cote de Pablo with her former NCIS co-star Michael Weatherly because of their strong on-screen chemistry.

However, both actors have repeatedly denied dating rumors and explained that they share a close friendship and professional bond rather than a romantic relationship.

Cote continues to keep her personal life away from the spotlight and rarely discusses relationships in interviews.

Her focus has remained primarily on her acting career, creative projects, and maintaining a peaceful private life outside Hollywood attention.

Cote de Pablo Relationships

Cote de Pablo has kept her personal life extremely private throughout her career, which is why very little is publicly known about her dating history.

Unlike many celebrities, she does not share details about relationships on social media or in interviews.

As a result, only one long-term relationship has ever been publicly confirmed.

Diego Serrano Relationship (2000–2015)

Cote de Pablo’s most significant relationship was with Ecuadorian-American actor Diego Serrano.

The couple reportedly began dating in 2000, around the same time Cote was starting her professional acting career in television.

Their relationship lasted for nearly 15 years, making it one of the longest-lasting private relationships in Hollywood.

During that time, Serrano supported Cote through her rise to international fame on NCIS.

Despite being together for many years, the pair kept their romance mostly away from the public eye and rarely discussed it in the media.

In past interviews, Cote described their personalities as completely opposite.

She referred to herself as more reserved and home-oriented, while Serrano was adventurous, social, and spontaneous.

She once jokingly called him the “worst influence” because he encouraged her to go out more and enjoy life outside of work.

Although fans often expected the couple to eventually marry, they never officially tied the knot or publicly announced engagement plans.

They also did not have children together. In 2015, reports confirmed that the couple had separated after nearly a decade and a half together.

Michael Weatherly Dating Rumors

Over the years, many fans speculated about a possible romance between Cote de Pablo and her former NCIS co-star Michael Weatherly.

Their on-screen chemistry as Ziva David and Tony DiNozzo became one of the most loved relationships in the series, leading viewers to hope the romance existed in real life as well.

However, both actors have repeatedly denied dating rumors.

Michael Weatherly has been married to Bojana Janković since 2009.

Both he and Cote de Pablo have always described their relationship as a close friendship and professional bond rather than a romance.

Life After Her Public Relationship

Since her breakup with Diego Serrano, Cote has remained extremely private about her personal life.

She has not publicly confirmed any new relationships, marriage, or dating partners.

Because of her quiet lifestyle and absence from social media, online rumors and false stories about secret marriages or boyfriends frequently circulate online.

As of 2026, there is no verified public information confirming that Cote de Pablo is married or currently dating anyone publicly.

Does Cote de Pablo have a baby?

No, Cote de Pablo has not publicly confirmed having a baby.

She is known for keeping her personal life very private and rarely speaks about family matters in interviews.

Although online rumors occasionally suggest that she may have a child, there is no verified information supporting those claims.

As of 2026, Cote remains focused on her acting career and continues to maintain a low-profile personal life.

Cote de Pablo Daughter Age

Cote de Pablo does not have a publicly known daughter. As of 2026, there is no verified information confirming that the actress has any children.

Although online rumors occasionally suggest otherwise, Cote has kept her personal life extremely private and has never publicly spoken about having a daughter or a baby.

Cote de Pablo Height and Weight

Cote de Pablo stands approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, which is about 170 centimeters or 1.7 meters. She weighs around 59 kilograms or 130 pounds.

She is widely admired for her elegant appearance, dark brown eyes, and naturally dark hair.

Her striking screen presence played an important role in shaping her image as Ziva David on NCIS, where she often performed physically demanding scenes and action sequences.

Cote has maintained a healthy and balanced appearance throughout her career.

Bottom Line

In the Bottom line, Cote de Pablo is one of the most respected actresses to emerge from television drama in the last two decades.

Her unforgettable performance as Ziva David on NCIS turned her into an international star and earned her a loyal fan base around the world.

Beyond acting, she has also demonstrated talent in music and production while maintaining a remarkably private personal life.

With her return to the NCIS universe through NCIS: Tony & Ziva, Cote continues to remain a highly influential and admired figure in the entertainment industry.

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Last Updated: May 28, 2026