Mumbai, Jan 16 (NationPress) Actress Eva Mendes has characterized 2016 as a year filled with significant challenges and remarkable personal evolution. During this time, she maintained her second pregnancy under wraps while discreetly executing several crucial business strategies.

The actress took to Instagram to share a collection of photographs from ten years ago. She reflected on how 2016 was also a year of personal sorrow with the loss of her brother, John, a tragedy that profoundly impacted the family.

In her series of images, Mendes displayed pictures of her concealed pregnancy, memories of her late brother, and her various accomplishments. She highlighted how the arrival of her youngest child provided much-needed strength and healing during a period of struggle.

In her caption, she expressed: “2016 - I was keeping my second pregnancy private, made some exciting business decisions, and tragically, my brother John passed away. Thankfully, my youngest was born and brought the family some joy.”

She fondly recalled a memorable moment seeing her father proudly holding her cover of Latina magazine.

She further added: “And a big shoutout to my proud Papi holding my Latina magazine cover.”

Mendes, who is wedded to actor Ryan Gosling, began her acting journey in the late 1990s with roles in films like Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror and Urban Legends: Final Cut.

Her performance in Training Day was a pivotal moment in her career, leading to roles in blockbuster hits like All About the Benjamins, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Hitch.

She also appeared in Ghost Rider and The Spirit, both adaptations of comic books, and later took on dramatic roles in films such as We Own the Night, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, Last Night, and The Place Beyond the Pines. Other significant films in her repertoire include Out of Time, The Women, The Other Guys, and Girl in Progress.