Bernadette San Pedro Bayot was a Filipino-American hula dancer, singer, and mother of Bruno Mars. She performed music with her family and was a major force in the career breakthrough of one of America’s most established singers, Mars.
The former dancer lived for 55 years and died on June 1, 2013. Nevertheless, her story continues to be told over and time again.
Bernadette San Pedro Bayot Early Life
She was born on 14 August 1957 in Manila, Metro Manila, the Philippines. Her parents Romeo Amando Maria Herranz Bayot (father), and Solidad del Pedro (mother) were into music as well as her 6 brothers.
In 1968 when she was 10 years old, her family moved to the U.S from the Philippines at the petition of her grandmother who was an American citizen. Instead of reaching San Francisco where her grandmother was, they settled in Hawaii which reminded them of the Philippines.
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12. She met Bruno Mars’ father at a show
She was flourishing in her career as a dancer and singer before she met her husband, Peter Hernandez. Bruno’s father, Peter Hernandez was also into music landed himself a performance at a show. Fate brought them together at the show and soon, they started as friends.
Their friendship turned to love which led to marriage. Her husband Peter Hernandez is of half Puerto Rican and half Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
In 1997 after 6 children and when Bruno Mars was 12, Bernadette and her then-husband opted for a divorce. According to sources, Peter left with their 2 sons while she was left with 4 of their daughters.
11. All her 6 children are into music
Her family was known for musical prowess since when Mars was a little boy. In different ways, her ex-husband, Peter, herself alongside other family members influenced their children in music.
Although Peter Gene Hernandez who is famous as Bruno Mars is the most famous of her 6 children, all the others are into music in different ways.
Her other son and Mars’ only brother, Eric Hernandez is a drummer for Bruno Mars’ band, The Hooligans. Her daughters, Tiara, Tahiti, and Presley including her niece Jamie are music acts who perform as members of the group, The Lylas.
10. Her family may have had a hard time being accepted for their race
With the ancestry of Philipines, Hungary, and Spanish, her son Bruno Mars would claim that at many times, there were debates on which ethnicity to place him – whether black or white. He further claimed that there were uncertainties on which radio station would play his music or which ethnicity his music would be more appealing to.
In addition, one of his major hits, Nothin’ on You was once rejected as a result of his race. Although Bruno Mars has gained more acceptance over the course of his time for his contributions to music, perhaps he was was not the only Hernandez who suffered being accepted as his siblings share the same race as him.
9. Her son Bruno Mars became the first artist to receive 5 diamond certified songs in the US
Bruno Mars, the son of Bernadette San Pedro Bayot is a music act that samples genres that include pop, R&B, funk, and soul. His life in the music industry led to his signing with Motown Records in 2004 and was signed to Atlantic records in 2008.
Soon enough, Mars sold his songs Just the Way You Are, Grenade, Locked Out of Heaven, and When I Was Your Man have sold more than 4 million digital copies, thereby making him the first male artist to achieve that as a lead singer.
In addition, he became the first artist to receive 5 diamond-certified songs in the U.S among other notable accolades that include 11 Grammys.
8. Bernadette San Pedro Bayot was the first girl Bruno Mars wrote a song about
Mars reportedly wrote a song about his mother when he was about the age of 4. The song became the first he ever wrote about a girl. Here are the lyrics of the song:
“I Love You Mom,” was recorded when he was only 4 years old, with lyrics that go, “My mommy helps me with my voice/ ’Cause a superstar singer is my first choice/ I love you, Mom, you are my favorite girl/ I love you, Mom, you’ll always be my favorite girl.”
7. Mars had tattooed her name on his shoulder
Bernadette San Pedro Bayot did not want her son to destroy the skin she thought was beautiful with tattoos. Instead of totally stopping it, Bruno Mars decided to add to his tattoos the name of his mother “Bernadette” on his right arm.
6. She Did Many Odd Jobs to Raise her kids
Bernadette and her husband did not have it all but there was a determination to raise their kids. So apart from performing at shows, she was also a seamstress and would go on to sell paintings.
5. Bernadette San Pedro Bayot got Bruno Mars his first piano at the age of 2 and watched him start performing at 4
Music according to Bernie came naturally for Mars. As a toddler, he would manage to sing even when he was struggling with his talking. To encourage her son, she bought him a piano at the age of 2.
It did not take a lot of time for him to learn to play and by the time he was 4, Mars had started performing on stage. He would spend 5 nights out of 7 performing with the family’s group.
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4. There’s a conspiracy theory that suggests that she had Bruno Mars with Michael Jackson
Bruno Mars has reported many times that Michael Jackson is a major influence in his music career. As a child, he would impersonate the music legend.
Beyond this, however, are rumors that juggle the internet suggesting that Bruno Mars was birthed by MJ. This although suggests that Bernie may have met MJ and got pregnant for him, there is no proof whatsoever.
Other sources have gone as far as claiming that the news started from an untrusted source on the internet.
3. Bernadette San Pedro Bayot was involved in Charity works
With her family, Bernie found herself working for the betterment of people and society through an organization known as M.A.M.A Earth which is the acronym for Mothers About Making Amends.
The organization was created to focus on grassroots organizations that need help.
2. She died of a brain aneurysm
At the age of 55 on June 1, 2013, Bernadette San Pedro Bayot died at Queen Medical Centre in Honolulu. She died of a brain aneurysm – a swelling in a blood vessel in the brain.
1. What is Bernadette San Pedro Bayot net worth?
Although she performed as a dancer and singer and worked as a tailor and painting seller, it is not known how much she had as income. Also, her net worth remains a mystery.
Her son, Bruno Mars on the other hand is a singer, songwriter, and producer. He has a net worth that is estimated at $175 million.
