Before Bruno Mars became a global superstar, winning Grammy Awards and headlining stadium tours, he was captivating audiences in Hawaii, much to the delight of his parents, Bernadette and Peter Hernandez. From a very young age, Bruno, whose birth name is Peter Gene Hernandez, was performing alongside his father, Peter Hernandez, a talented musician himself. Even as a toddler, Bruno’s impersonation of Elvis Presley was a hit, setting the stage for a remarkable career deeply influenced by his father, Peter Hernandez.
“He was a ham,” Bruno’s dad, Peter Hernandez, shared with Hawaiian magazine Midweek in 2014. “As soon as he could walk and express himself, he had to be in the middle of everything and wanted to be a part of whoever he’d seen on TV.” This early exposure and encouragement from Peter Hernandez were instrumental in nurturing Bruno’s innate talent.
That drive and talent, first seen when a 6-year-old Bruno made a cameo as “Little Elvis” in the 1992 film Honeymoon in Vegas, propelled him to win multiple Grammys and perform at the Super Bowl halftime show. These achievements filled his parents, Peter Hernandez and Bernadette, both musicians, with immense pride. As Bernadette, sadly now deceased, mentioned to Filipino news station ABS-CBN News in 2019, they were incredibly proud. Bernadette passed away from a brain aneurysm in June 2013.
From their own musical journeys to their unwavering support of their son, here’s a closer look at Bruno Mars’ parents, Bernadette and, particularly, Peter Hernandez, and the significant role they played in his life.
A Hawaiian Upbringing
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Young Bruno Mars showcasing his early talent and charm as a child in Hawaii, reflecting his family’s nurturing environment.
Bruno Mars was born in Honolulu on October 8, 1985, to Bernadette and Peter Hernandez. He grew up as one of six siblings, including brother Eric and sisters Tiara, Tahiti, Presley, and Jaime. Music ran in the family, a passion inherited from both parents and fostered especially by Peter Hernandez.
Peter Hernandez: From Brooklyn to Doo-Wop Legend
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Peter Hernandez, Bruno Mars’ father, pictured showcasing his charismatic personality and style, which significantly influenced his son’s artistic direction.
Peter Hernandez, Bruno Mars’ father, has a rich history himself. Jewish and of Puerto Rican heritage, Peter Hernandez spent his childhood in Brooklyn, New York. “I lived West Side Story,” he told Midweek in 2014, “without the dancing.” Like his son after him, Peter Hernandez was exposed to music early on, accompanying his own father to gigs and absorbing the sounds of the Latin orchestra his father performed with.
Peter Hernandez developed a deep fascination with doo-wop music. He even adopted the moniker “Dr. Doo-Wop” at the age of 13. Later, after moving to Hawaii, Peter Hernandez formed a band that grew to include 18 members, named Peter Hernandez and the Love Notes. This band, led by Peter Hernandez, earned significant recognition and was inducted into the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame in 2014, as reported by the Boston Globe. This achievement highlights Peter Hernandez‘s own musical accomplishments, independent of his son’s fame.
Bernadette’s Filipino Roots and Hawaiian Life
Bruno’s mother, Bernadette San Pedro Bayot, was born in Manila, Philippines, and immigrated to Hawaii with her family in 1968, according to her obituary in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. In Hawaii, Bernadette became a celebrated lead Hula dancer in Al Harrington’s show.
In 2011, Bruno and his family, including Peter Hernandez, traveled to the Philippines for Bruno’s concert in Cebu. This emotional trip, documented in a short film by Mike Talampas and Nick Santiago, was a homecoming for Bernadette.
“Seeing my son play a concert in the Philippines — I would never dream of that happening. And being sold out — [it’s] unbelievable,” Bernadette expressed in the film. She spoke of her excitement about returning to her homeland. After his performance, Bruno proudly declared to the audience, “I’m so proud and so happy to be Filipino.”
Inherited Passion for Performance
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Bruno Mars performing with his signature stage presence, a trait he inherited from both his parents, particularly the performance background of Peter Hernandez.
The “Talking to the Moon” singer comes from a large family where musical talent was nurtured. Bernadette’s background was in singing and hula dancing, while Peter Hernandez’s passion for doo-wop led him to establish his band, the Love Notes. In the 1990s, Peter Hernandez produced and performed in a show at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, featuring his band and involving all his children.
“He was the executive producer and he also performed,” Eric, Bruno’s brother, explained in a 2014 interview with Mike Dolbear. “It was a family operation and me and my sister would run the ticket desk or I’d help with the spotlight.” This family involvement, spearheaded by Peter Hernandez, provided invaluable early experience in the music industry for all the Hernandez siblings.
This early immersion in music shaped the careers of all the Hernandez children. Eric is now the drummer for Bruno and Silk Sonic, and Bruno’s four sisters previously formed a pop group called The Lylas, even starring in a reality show on WE tv in 2013, according to MTV.
Family Separation and Resilience
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A young Bruno Mars dressed as Elvis Presley with his mother, Bernadette, in 1990, capturing a tender family moment before their parents’ separation.
Bernadette and Peter Hernandez separated when Bruno was around 12 years old. Following the separation, Bruno and his brother lived with their father, Peter Hernandez, experiencing periods of unstable housing, including living on rooftops and in their car.
“My dad was just the king of finding these little spots for us to stay that we should never have been staying at,” Bruno recalled in a 2016 60 Minutes episode. He revisited one such place with the cameras: a dilapidated building on the grounds of an abandoned bird zoo where Peter Hernandez had previously worked.
Despite the challenging living conditions, Bruno remembers this time positively, emphasizing the strength of his family bond. “We had each other and it never felt like it was the end of the world,” he said. This resilience and close family connection, fostered by both Bernadette and Peter Hernandez, remained a constant.
The Heartbreaking Loss of Bernadette
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Bernadette San Pedro Bayot, Bruno Mars’ mother, remembered for her loving influence and the profound impact of her untimely passing on her family.
Bernadette passed away unexpectedly on June 1, 2013, from a brain aneurysm at the age of 55, according to the BBC. Her death deeply affected Bruno.
In a 2017 interview with Latina magazine, Bruno spoke about the profound grief he experienced and how he keeps her memory alive. “My life has changed,” he stated, adding he would trade his music to have her back. He emphasized her enduring influence, saying, “I always hear her say, ‘Keep going and keep doing it.'”
Bruno credited Bernadette with teaching him about love, saying, “When that goes away, a little more than half your heart goes away with it.” He reflected on the importance of family and loved ones in the face of loss.
Grammy Dedication to His Mother
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Bruno Mars dedicating his Grammy Award to his late mother, Bernadette, during the 56th GRAMMY Awards, a poignant moment highlighting their strong bond.
When Bruno won the Grammy for best pop vocal album for Unorthodox Jukebox in 2014, he dedicated the award to his late mother in a heartfelt tribute.
“I want to dedicate this award to my mother,” he said on stage. “Ma, I know you’re watching. I hope you’re smiling. I love you.” This emotional moment underscored the deep connection he shared with Bernadette.
Peter Hernandez: Shaping Bruno’s Musical and Aesthetic Style
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Peter Hernandez and Bruno Mars at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, illustrating the close relationship and Peter’s influence on Bruno’s iconic style.
Bruno credits his father, Peter Hernandez, as a major influence on his “Uptown Funk” style, including his penchant for pinky rings and Cadillacs.
“My whole sense of rhythm is because my dad was teaching me bongos as a kid,” he told Latina magazine in 2017. “He’s an old-school working musician, so that’s where the pinky rings come from, the patent-leather shoes, the suits, and the pompadour. It all stems from watching my father, Peter Hernandez.”
Peter Hernandez’s unique style and musical background were formative for Bruno. “No one had Cadillacs in Hawaii. But my dad would show up in some boat-looking Caddy wearing some silky s—, and we’d run out into the car as soon as possible. And here I am wearing the swap-meet gold, driving Cadillacs,” Bruno recounted.
Peter Hernandez’s Elvis Presley Museum
Peter Hernandez‘s passion for Elvis Presley extended beyond personal admiration. As a dedicated fan and collector, Peter Hernandez accumulated an extensive collection of Elvis memorabilia, leading him to open a museum dedicated to Elvis in Waikiki, according to Midweek.
This venture was a natural fit for Peter Hernandez, whose fascination with Elvis initially drew him to Hawaii. Inspired by Blue Hawaii, he moved to the islands at 25.
This Elvis obsession was passed down to Bruno, who spent hours watching and imitating Elvis’s dance moves. “At barely 3 years old, Bruno knew how to rewind and cue up videotapes,” Peter Hernandez recalled to Midweek, highlighting Bruno’s early dedication to performance, encouraged by his father.
Immense Pride in His Children
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Peter Hernandez expressing his pride and support for Bruno Mars at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, a testament to their strong father-son relationship.
Peter Hernandez has openly expressed his immense pride in all his children’s accomplishments.
“I’m the proudest man in the world of Bruno Mars and his brother and sisters,” he told Midweek, acknowledging the support system that helped Bruno achieve success.
Peter Hernandez believes Bruno’s upbringing contributed to his success, stating, “Bruno is the product of a lot of love from all his family.” He emphasized the deep love within their family, saying, “No woman could ever love Bruno as much as his late mother did, and no man could ever love Bruno as much as I love him.”
Peter Hernandez concluded, “I’m excited for him, for his sisters, for his brother. I’m so excited that I hope to be blessed with as much time as possible to see how far they go into the universe.” His presence alongside Bruno at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in Brooklyn, where Bruno won four awards, further demonstrated his unwavering support.
Bernadette’s Enduring Pride and Closeness
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Bruno Mars and his mother, Bernadette San Pedro Bayot, sharing a loving moment, highlighting the close Filipino family bond she cherished.
Bernadette spoke about her close relationship with Bruno in an interview with ABS-CBN News. “We’re very close, a Filipino family,” she said, hoping this closeness would continue through generations.
She proudly said of Bruno, “Every mother feels that their son is the best, and I always thought that. To hear it from other people who say that to me — I’m so proud.”
Bernadette also expressed her joy that Bruno had experienced the Philippines, her birthplace. “I wish I could go to every concert, because he’s been traveling the world. It’s amazing,” she noted, adding, “He’s seen a lot of places that I’ve never seen before, but I’m glad he got to see where I came from.” Both parents, Bernadette and Peter Hernandez, played crucial roles in shaping Bruno Mars into the artist and person he is today.
