Gosling took home the award for best actor in a comedy or musical for his role in the hit musical La La Land. During his acceptance speech, the actor thanked his “sweetheart” for her support.
“You don’t get to be up here without standing on the shoulders of a mountain,” he said. “While I was singing and dancing and playing piano … my lady was raising our daughter, pregnant with our second and trying to help her brother with his battle with cancer.”
He dedicated his award to Mendes‘ older brother, Juan Carlos Mendes, saying “Sweetheart, thank you.”
Mendes’ brother died in April, after a battle with cancer.
Mendes did not attend the show with Gosling, instead staying at home with the couple’s two children, daughters Esmeralda Amada, 2, and Amada Lee, 8 months.
This article originally appeared on PEOPLE.COM.