Penlope Cruz is "stubborn" with a "strong personality".

The actress has revealed it is hard work convincing her to sway from her opinions. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, was quick to reply when asked how her friends and family would describe her.

"Stubborn. Even my mother would say that as the first word!" she replied. "[I am] persistent. It is my best friend and my worst enemy. And I don't just mean fighting for something related to work; it could be anything.

"I have a strong personality, and I say what I think. I think I've been better about being a little more flexible."

However she never takes herself too seriously. While she admits she is "bossy", Penlope also has an easy-going side.

"One thing that I am proud of: I am really capable of laughing at myself," she said.

The 37-year-old adds she is much more settled since becoming a mother to son Leo, 14 months, with her husband Javier Bardem. The actress insists she is happier in her 30s than she was in her 20s.

"I am living for every day and trying to have less fear, less worry. But I have always worried about everything; it's in my nature. It's the thing that makes me suffer the most," she said.

The Spanish-born Oscar winner puts her family above her work. She has cut back on films to spend more time with her husband and son.

"Maybe I'll make one movie a year, maybe two, but it's not going to be more than that because I have other priorities now," she said ahead of the June premiere of her film To Rome with Love.