Richard Gere marries Galician girlfriend Alejandra Silva

Gere, 68 and Silva, 35, first met in Positano on the Italian riviera and have been together for three years, during which they have worked closely with the Rais Foundation network of homeless shelters in Madrid and the Basque Country, of which Alejandra is the patron.

Businesswoman Alejandra, originally from Galicia, and Richard have often visited Spain and taken part in official acts, with the latter giving conferences on the plight of the homeless and praising Madrid's mayoress Manuela Carmena for her work in helping those with nowhere to live.

The couple are said to have married in a civil ceremony, but will hold a family wedding reception at their New York apartment on May 6.

Gere used to be married to model Cindy Crawford, and then to actress Carey Lowell, with whom he had a son, Homer James, who is now 18.

Alejandra Silva was previously married to mining magnate Goving Friedland, with whom she had her son, Albert.