All About Sandra Bullock's Sister Gesine Bullock-Prado

Mar. 15, 2025

Sandra Bullock and sister Gesine Bullock Prado at ‘The Lost City’ film premiere on March 21, 2022.Photo:AFF-USA/Shutterstock

AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Sandra Bullock’s sister,Gesine Bullock-Prado, loves quality time with her famous sibling.

“Our lives are so different. She has her restaurants, and I can’t imagine doing that,” she explained toTexas Monthlyin 2012, referencing Sandra’s foray into the restaurant industry. “We’re so busy that when we’re finally together, we just want to spend time together. We’re not going to work together. We’re just going to play together.”

Though their everyday lives and careers are different, the sisters share similar approaches to life and family in general.

“We were raised in such an unusual way that we were taught to be relatively private people,” Gesine toldThe Guardianin 2011. “I have friends and we’re close. But when you are very private, family becomes more and more important. They are the only ones that you want to share certain things with.”

Here is everything to know about Sandra Bullock’s sister Gesine Bullock-Prado.

Gesine is six years younger than Sandra

Sandra Bullock and Gesine Bullock-Prado.Gesine Bullock-Prado Instagram

Gesine Bullock-Prado Instagram

Gesine said that the six-year age gap between her and her famous big sister made it hard for them to bond when they were children.

“Our age difference made it impossible to be chummy when we were younger,” she explained toThe Guardian. “I was a pest, an annoyance of a younger sister. No girl in her tender years, navigating through the trials of puberty wants her annoying geek of a little sister hanging about.” Gesine said that once she started high school — when Sandra was in her 20s — they got along much better. They grew even closer when Gesine moved to Los Angeles for law school.

Now, Gesine speaks highly of Sandra, tellingThe Guardianthat she is “genetically gifted, loving and generous” and takes after their mother’s “great beauty, talent and individuality.”

Gesine and Sandra bonded over their love of food

Hoda Kotb, Sandra Bullock, Gesine Bullock-Prado and Jenna Bush Hager on the ‘Today’ show on June 5, 2018.Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty

Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty

Gesine and Sandra both developed a love of food from a young age, in part because they were exposed to a variety of different cuisines and diets growing up.

The younger Bullock sister toldTexas Monthlythat their mother, Helga, was an amazing baker and raised her and Sandra on a vegetarian, macrobiotic diet. Whenever they visited their extended family, however, they were more able to indulge their sweet tooths.

“We would have these times when we would go to Germany where it was all-out craziness with pastries and foods,” she said, adding that when they visited their Southern family, they’d eat fried chicken and Oreos and drink soda. As a result of their shared background with food, Gesine said that she and Sandra bond over meals together.

“We’ve clearly come from the same background and we always have our holidays together,” she said. “We base everything we make on what our mother taught us. Despite her dietary restrictions, she was a fabulous chef and baker. We have that to look up to.”

In 2018, the sister duo even teamed up toshare a recipeon theTodayshow.

She produced some of her sister’s movies

Sandra Bullock and sister Gesine Bullock attend the “Wrestling Ernest Hemingway” West Hollywood Premiere on December 7, 1993.Ron Galella, Ltd./Wireimage

Ron Galella, Ltd./Wireimage

In 1995, the former lawyer took on a role as a developer and co-producer for Sandra’s Fortis Films production company. She became a licensed attorney in 1997, at which point Gesine became the company’s lawyer and president.

Gesine’s development credits includeMiss Congeniality,Practical MagicandThe George Lopez Show, while her producer credits includeMiss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous.

Sandra introduced Gesine to her husband — and hosted her wedding

Gesine Bullock-Prado and Ray Prado.Gesine Bullock-Prado Instagram

Gesine met her husband, storyboard illustrator Ray Prado, when they both worked with Sandra.

“We were doing a table reading ofHope Floats,” she recalled toThe New York Timesin 2018. “Ray walked in with a producer friend, and my heart dropped into my stomach. I felt sick. It was one of those lightning bolts, love-at-first-sight moments.”

Gesine said she had a live-in boyfriend at the time, so she didn’t think much would come of her instant attraction to Prado, but they connected days later when they happened to be on the same flight and realized they had mutual friends. Gesine split from her boyfriend and she and Prado began dating.

The couple moved in together within a month, and Prado proposed a year later. They wed five months later, in April 1999, at Sandra’s home in Austin, Texas, which was undergoing renovations at the time. Sandra helped decorate her balcony (which was still under construction), and 50 guests gathered in tents near a pool area that was also a work in progress.

She left Hollywood for Vermont and the film industry for the food industry

Gesine Bullock-Prado.Gesine Bullock-Prado Instagram

After the death of her and Sandra’s mother, Helga, in 2000, Gesine reassessed her life and decided on a career change and a major move. She toldThe Guardianthat she thought the Hollywood lifestyle was “relentless, exhausting and disillusioning,” and she began baking more often as a way to channel her grief.

Within five years, Gesine left the entertainment industry and moved to Montpelier, Vt., to bake professionally — she says Sandra was supportive of her choice.

“We have a healthy relationship, and we’re grown women who understand the nature of business,” she toldThe Guardian. “Sometimes a particular profession simply doesn’t suit. A sister can tell when a decision is right and healthy. That certainly was the case with us.”

After becoming a self-taught pastry chef, Gesine had her own shop, Gesine Gourmet and Confectionary, in Montpelier from 2005 to 2008, then opened her own baking school, Sugar Glider Kitchen, in Hartford, Vt.

In 2009, Gesine helped Sandra develop recipes for Walton’s Fancy & Staple, the Oscar-winner’s bakery, deli and flower shop in Austin. The same year, Sandra threw Gesine a party at Walton’s to celebrate the launch of her first book.

Gesine Bullock-Prado visits the Build Series to discuss her show ‘Baked in Vermont’ on May 23, 2018 in New York City.Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Gesine published her first book, the memoirConfections of a Closet Master Baker, titled after herblog of the same name, in 2009. She followed it withMy Life From Scratcha year later. She’s since authoredsix cookbooks, most recentlyMy Vermont Table: Recipes for All (Six) Seasonsin March 2023.

She supported her sister when Sandra’s longtime partner died

Gesine Bullock-Prado and Sandra Bullock attend Women in Film Presents: Fusion, The 2005 Crystal & Lucy Awards on June 10, 2005.Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan/Getty

Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan/Getty

After Sandra’s longtime boyfriend,Bryan Randall,died from ALSin August 2023, Gesineposted a moving tributeto the model-turned-photographer.

“I’m convinced that Bry has found the best fishing spot in heaven and is already casting his lure into rushing rivers teaming with salmon,” Gesine captioneda photoof Randall smiling. “ALS is a cruel disease.”

She added, “There is some comfort in knowing he had the best of caretakers in my amazing sister and the band of nurses she assembled who helped her look after him in their home. Rest in peace, Bryan.”

Months later, Gesine extended her support when Sandra spread her partner’s ashes. “Happy birthday, Bry. Sandy brought you to the river, just as she promised,” she wrote onInstagram.

source: people.com