Nicolas Cage, the 58-year-old famed Hollywood actor known for his brilliant yet eccentric personality both on and off screen, tied the knot again in February 2021 for the fifth time in his life. His latest wife is 27-year-old Riko Shibata, making her over 30 years younger than her new husband. So who is the new Mrs. Cage and what‘s the age difference?
Let‘s take a closer look at Nicolas Cage‘s long relationship history and the curious age gap between him and his fifth young bride.
The Talented Enigma of Nicolas Cage
Before diving into Cage‘s romantic relationships, it‘s worth summarizing his impressive, if unusual, acting career. Ever since bursting onto the scene with memorable performances in the 1980s in films like Valley Girl, Moonstruck, and Raising Arizona, Nicolas Cage developed a reputation in Hollywood as a talented yet intensely quirky actor.
Known for his commitment to physically and emotionally demanding roles, Cage scored a Best Actor Academy Award for his acclaimed performance as a suicidal alcoholic in 1995‘s Leaving Las Vegas. Some of his other most famous films over the years include The Rock, Con Air, Face/Off, Adaptation, National Treasure, and Kick-Ass.
While highly praised for his acting skills, Nicolas Cage also became known for his eccentric personality, extravagant spending habits, "wild man" lifestyle, and unusual real estate purchases like European castles and pyramids. But behind the public persona, he was about to embark on a long string of failed marriages.
Marriage #1 to Patricia Arquette
Cage‘s first walk down the aisle was in April 1995 to actress Patricia Arquette. The two had met at a deli in Los Angeles in the early 1990s and quickly became enamored with each other, marrying within a few years. However, the marriage only lasted 6 short years before ending in divorce in 2001.
In divorce papers, Arquette cited the usual "irreconcilable differences" as the reason. Cage later blamed the split on his need to submerge himself fully in acting roles to the detriment of his personal life. While amicable at first, tensions reportedly grew when Arquette sold her wedding ring and mailed it back to Cage.
Marriage #2 to Lisa Marie Presley
Just two months after his divorce from Patricia was finalized, Nicolas Cage married Lisa Marie Presley – daughter of rock icon Elvis Presley and former wife of pop legend Michael Jackson. Their exotic wedding took place in Hawaii in 2002.
This high-profile union was tabloid fodder, but ended very quickly. After just two years of marriage, Cage filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. Rumors swirled that their 10-year age difference led to frequent arguing, especially around Cage‘s excessive spending.
Later in a tell-all memoir, Presley would describe the marriage as "a mistake right out of the gate" and blast Cage as "disturbed." For his part, Cage stated that he did not talk about the split to protect all parties involved.
Marriage #3 to Alice Kim
Clearly not deterred by two divorces, Nicolas Cage gave marriage another shot in 2004 – tying the knot with Alice Kim, a former waitress 20 years his junior. They met and married within 2 months, later welcoming a son named Kal-El in 2005.
This would actually become Cage‘s longest marriage, lasting 12 years until separating in 2016. Very little is known about what led to their split given how private Cage kept this relationship despite his public profile. The two reportedly remain friendly as they co-parent son Kal-El, now 17 years old.
A Whirlwind 4-Day Marriage to Erika Koike
In March 2019, Nicolas Cage married for the fourth time to makeup artist Erika Koike in Las Vegas. Their union lasted a mere 4 days before Cage sought an annulment.
Cage cited fraud and a lack of disclosure around Koike‘s criminal history and relationship with another man as grounds for annulment. Later in divorce proceedings, he accused Koike of pressuring him into marriage while he was intoxicated.
Their messy split played out in the courts throughout 2019 as Koike fought the annulment request. At one point she even requested alimony. But by June, Cage was granted a divorce.
Wife #5 – Riko Shibata‘s Age Difference with Cage
Which brings us to Nicolas Cage‘s current relationship with 27-year-old wife Riko Shibata – a 30+ year age gap with his fifth bride. The two met in Shiga, Japan in early 2020 through mutual friends. Cage was there filming Prisoners of the Ghostland.
Despite their very different ages and backgrounds, the couple hit it off. Just over a year later, they wed at the Wynn Casino in Las Vegas in February 2021. Shibata would go on to give birth to the couple‘s first child together, a daughter, in September 2022.
So in summary, the age difference between 58 year old Nicolas Cage and wife Riko Shibata is roughly three decades. Shibata is younger than Cage‘s oldest son Weston from a previous relationship.
While large age gaps like this can raise eyebrows, Cage appears smitten with his 27-year-old spouse. He‘s described her as "magical" and intelligent with a positive outlook.
Analyzing Cage‘s Relationship Patterns
| Marriage | Wife‘s Age | Cage‘s Age | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Patricia Arquette, 3 years younger |
28 | 1995-2001 6 years |
| #2 | Lisa Marie Presley, 10 years younger |
38 | 2002-2004 2 years |
| #3 | Alice Kim, 20 years younger |
41 | 2004-2016 12 years |
| #4 | Erika Koike, 19 years younger |
55 | 2019 4 days |
| #5 | Riko Shibata, 31 years younger |
58 | 2021-present |
Analyzing the pattern in Nicolas Cage‘s relationships reveals:
- His wives are routinely far younger, often by 15-30 years
- His marriages generally last only 2-6 years, with one outlier at 12 years
- The age gap seems to widen with each successive marriage
- Issues like clashing lifestyles, lavish spending, etc. cause friction
- He seems drawn to youthful beauty and vibrant personalities
While Cage is clearly a romantic, his impulsive marriage decisions have routinely ended in divorce. His new wife Riko shares a staggering 30+ year age difference with the actor. Only time will tell if this May-December marriage lasts or ends up in familiar territory.
The Wild Ride of Nicolas Cage Continues
As someone who has followed Nicolas Cage‘s boundary-breaking career for decades, his eventful romantic history does not surprise me. He has always done things his own way, for better or worse, from his film role choices to his spending habits to his marriages.
While his rotating cast of ex-wives portrays Cage as eccentric and moody, accounts from his sons paint him as a devoted, supportive father.
Whatever your views on Cage, he has undeniably left his mark on Hollywood. I for one can‘t wait to see what‘s next for him, both professionally and personally. Will his fifth marriage and new daughter finally settle him into more stable family life? Or will the Nicholas Cage rollercoaster take another sharp turn soon? We‘ll have to stay tuned!
