Riko Shibata: Life Beyond Being Mrs. Nicolas Cage

Most people know Nicolas Cage. Few know much about his wife, Riko Shibata. Who is she? How did they meet? What is their life like behind the cameras? Her story is far more interesting than you might think. Keep reading to find out.

Full Name Riko Shibata
Birth Year 1993
Age 31
Birthplace Kyoto, Japan
Nationality Japanese
Spouse Nicolas Cage (married in 2021)
Children 1 daughter, August Francesca Coppola Cage (born 2022)
Marriage Date February 16, 2021
Wedding Location Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas
Engagement Proposed over FaceTime in 2020
Engagement Ring Black diamond (her favorite color)
Pets Previously had two sugar gliders
Public Appearances Golden Globes, Oscars, movie premieres
Life Before Cage Lived in Japan, not a public figure

How Riko Shibata Met Nicolas Cage – A Love Story That Started in an Unexpected Place

Most Hollywood couples meet at fancy parties, on movie sets, or through mutual celebrity friends. Riko Shibata and Nicolas Cage? Their story is different.

 

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A Chance Meeting in Japan

In 2020, Nicolas Cage was in Shiga, Japan, filming Prisoners of the Ghostland. While there, he met Riko through mutual friends. No Hollywood glitz. No staged setup. Just a regular introduction that led to something special.

At the time, Cage was 56, and Shibata was 25. Some might say that’s a huge gap, but for them, it didn’t matter. They bonded over shared interests, unique personalities, and a love for animals. Cage later revealed that when Shibata mentioned she had two pet sugar gliders, he knew she was special.

Love Across Two Continents

Not long after meeting, Shibata returned to Kyoto, Japan, while Cage went back to Nevada, USA. Then, the pandemic hit, shutting down travel. They spent the next six months apart, keeping their relationship alive through FaceTime calls.

The Surprising Engagement Story

Most proposals happen in person. A romantic dinner, a beach at sunset, maybe even a big public spectacle. Not this one.

A Long-Distance Love Story

By mid-2020, Cage and Shibata had been apart for half a year. He was in Nevada, she was in Japan, and there was no telling when they could see each other again.

One night, during a FaceTime call, Cage decided he didn’t want to wait any longer. He told her:

👉 “I want to marry you.”

No big speech. No fancy setup. Just honest words that came straight from the heart.

A Ring That Stands Out

Cage didn’t just propose with any ring. He knew Shibata’s favorite color was black, so he found a black diamond and had it custom-made for her.

Most people pick a classic white diamond. Cage? He made sure the ring matched her personality. Once it was ready, he sent it to Japan by FedEx.

Shibata said yes.

A Wedding Like No Other – Small, Private, and With an Unexpected Guest

Hollywood weddings are usually massive, with hundreds of guests, designer dresses, and over-the-top venues.

A Private Ceremony in Las Vegas

Riko and Nicolas wedding ceremony
Riko and Nicolas Cage were married on February 16, 2021|YouTube Screenshot/Rumour Juice

On February 16, 2021, Nicolas Cage and Riko Shibata got married in a small, intimate ceremony at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. The date was special—it honored Cage’s late father’s birthday.

There were no big Hollywood stars, no press, and no extravagant displays. It was simple, quiet, and just how they wanted it.

An Ex-Wife at the Wedding?

Nicholas Cage's ex-wife, Alice Kim
Riko’s wedding day included a surprising guest—Cage’s ex-wife Alice Kim|YouTube Screenshot/Emma Stories

One surprising guest stood out—Alice Kim, Cage’s third wife. They had divorced in 2016 but stayed close for the sake of their son, Kal-El Coppola Cage. Instead of awkwardness, it showed that Cage and Kim remained on good terms, something rare in Hollywood.

After the wedding, Cage confirmed their happiness, saying:
👉 “It’s true, and we are very happy.”

Life as Mrs. Cage

Most people think being married to a Hollywood star means constant luxury, flashing cameras, and endless parties. That’s not the case for Riko Shibata.

Living a Quiet Life

Riko and Nikolas walking in the city
Riko and Nicolas live a peaceful life in Las Vegas|YouTube Screenshot/Rumour Juice

Shibata and Cage don’t spend all their time in Los Angeles. Instead, they live in Las Vegas, where Cage has a home. He once said he wanted to open a movie studio there, but that dream was blocked by Elon Musk’s Tesla factory project.

Their daily life isn’t about glitz and glam. They focus on family, personal projects, and spending time together.

Exploring Cage’s Meaningful Places

After moving to the U.S., Shibata visited some of Cage’s most personal locations, including:

  • His Hollywood Walk of Fame star
  • His pyramid-shaped tomb in New Orleans, which he bought in 2010 for his future burial

Most Hollywood wives enjoy luxury. Shibata seems more interested in understanding her husband’s unique world.

Becoming a Mom – The Moment That Changed Everything for Her

In September 2022, Riko Shibata and Nicolas Cage welcomed their first child together, a daughter named August Francesca Coppola Cage.

A New Chapter for Riko

Cage already had two sons, Weston (33) and Kal-El (18), but this was Shibata’s first experience as a mother. She went from being a private person to raising a child in a world of media attention.

When the baby was born, their rep announced:
👉 “Mother and daughter are doing fine.”

Public Appearances and Red Carpets

Before meeting Cage, Riko Shibata wasn’t in the public eye. Now, she walks Hollywood’s biggest red carpets.

First Red Carpet Moment

Nicolas Cage makes red carpet debut with wife Riko
Riko’s first red carpet appearance with Cage in 2021 showed her elegant side|YouTube Screenshot/Access Hollywood

In July 2021, she made her red carpet debut with Cage at the premiere of his movie Pig. She wore an elegant dress, while Cage stood beside her in a classic black suit.

Since then, she’s attended major Hollywood events, including:

  • The Golden Globes (2024) on Cage’s 60th birthday
  • The Oscars (2024), where they walked hand-in-hand

What Makes Her Unique

Unlike many celebrity spouses, she isn’t chasing fame. She doesn’t act, sing, or promote brands. She stays away from social media, keeping her personal life off the internet.

People doubted their relationship—the age gap, the quick engagement, the private wedding—but years later, they are still together.

Cage himself admitted:
👉 “I know five is a lot, but I think I got it right this time.”

Some couples meet in Hollywood. Some love stories follow the usual script. Theirs didn’t. And that’s what makes it worth talking about.