Jeremy Renner just revealed a major secret: he married his on-again-off-again model girlfriend Sonni Pacheco.

In March 2013, Renner and Pacheco were exes when they welcomed their first child Ava Berlin Renner into the world. Since then, the couple have remained secretive and private about their relationship and daughter.

While promoting his film Kill the Messenger, he spoke with Capitol File magazine. When asked about whether he lived with his daughter and if he was married to her mother, he responded, “yes.” This prompted the reporter to further explore this huge Renner secret.

Renner disclosed that he doesn’t talk much about his marriage because “I have tried to protect my family’s privacy, my wife’s privacy. I don’t need her to get hammered with my life. Privacy issues are important because I want her to go about her day without being bothered.” He then went on to discuss being hounded by “Paps.” Renner said that it’s fine if they follow him, but he doesn’t want them to bother his family.

Sara Dunn photo from the rooftops of London !!! Thx for the pix. #photoshoot #killthemessenger #allsmiles http://t.co/Fhov5PufFl

— Jeremy Renner (@Renner4Real) September 24, 2014

Intuitively, Renner suggested that the paparazzi’s fascination with him might be because he tries to keep his life so private. “I’ve been talked about a whole lot, because the less I put out there, the less people know, and it makes it interesting, I assume,” stated Renner.

The Avengers‘ star discussed how stern he plans to be about Ava’s love life. Jokingly saying that as her father, he’s going to make it difficult for her to find a man. He also shared some of the joys he’s experienced as a parent.

I really love being a father. The only that has changed is my perspective on things. I still work, probably even more. It used to be all for myself so I’m not old and broke. All these things I still do, but I do it now for the future of my baby, and if it gets in the way of her well-being, then I stop. I can’t wait for her to get older, but I really enjoy her now.

Renner’s film Kill the Messenger hits theaters Oct. 10.

The film is about “a reporter becomes the target of a vicious smear campaign that drives him to the point of suicide after he exposes the CIA’s role in arming Contra rebels in Nicaragua and importing cocaine into California. Based on the true story of journalist Gary Webb” (IMDB).

Image via Jeremy Renner, Facebook