Salma Hayek Biography

Salma Hayek, the sensational Mexican-American actress, has lit up the big screen with unforgettable performances in iconic films like Frida, Desperado, and From Dusk Till Dawn. Beyond her undeniable talent, Hayek has pushed boundaries to become a powerhouse in Hollywood and a beacon of inspiration for the Latinx community.

Early Life/Education

Salma Valgarma Hayek Jiménez, born on September 2, 1966, in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico. Her mother, Diana Jiménez Medina, was not only an opera singer but also a talent scout. Meanwhile, her father, Sami Hayek Domnguez, enjoyed a successful career as an executive in the oil industry.

She wanted to be a gymnast initially; she was even drafted for the Mexican Olympic team at the young age of 9. Her father had other ideas about that, though, and he dashed her dreams before they could even begin.

Instead, Hayek attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic boarding school in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. At the age of 12, she was sent to live with her aunt in Houston, Texas, because she had been expelled from her boarding school for pulling too many pranks. On the plus side, she was able to improve her English.

Following her high school graduation, Hayek returned to Mexico to attend the Universidad Iberoamericana, where she studied international relations. However, Hayek's passion for acting and performing eventually led her to leave her studies and pursue a career in entertainment.

Career

Late 1980s

Salma Hayek started her acting career in Mexican telenovelas (soap operas), including Teresa and El Callejón de los Milagros, which brought her local recognition.

1990s

In the early 1990s, Salma Hayek made the decision to move to Los Angeles, California, to pursue opportunities in Hollywood. Her fluency in English, being amazingly beautiful, and acting talent caught the attention of filmmakers, and she soon landed roles in films like Mi Vida Loca (1993) and Desperado (1995).

After her successful debut, she took on a new challenge in the film From Dusk Till Dawn (1996). This movie also had the incredible George Clooney and the gritty Quentin Tarantino. It's a thrilling vampire flick, way before Twilight was even written.

From there, she captivated audiences in 1997 with Fools Rush In, a comedy that she absolutely nailed, alongside Matthew Perry.

Expanding her range even further, she mesmerized viewers as an exotic dancer and muse in the thought-provoking religious satire Dogma (1999).

2000s

In 2002, Salma Hayek took on the incredible role of Frida Kahlo in the biographical film Frida. She also directed this film and got an Academy Award nod.

Following the success of Frida, Salma Hayek starred in various films, including Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003), alongside Antonio Banderas and Johnny Depp. She also appeared in After the Sunset (2004) and Ask the Dust (2006).

In 2009, Salma Hayak starred in Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant. She then did another comedy, this time alongside Adam Sandler and Chris Rock, in Grown Ups (2010).

From there, we saw her as a drug kingpin in Oliver Stone's Savages (2012). Then she would play the love interest of an aspiring mixed martial artist in the entertaining comedy Here Comes the Boom (2012).

Next up were her roles in the films Everly (2014) and Tale of Tales (2015). She didn't stop there, either. Hayek continued in a series of lighthearted movies such as How to Be a Latin Lover (2017), Beatriz at Dinner (2017), Drunk Parents (2018), and The Hummingbird Project (2018). She also brought humor and action together in the entertaining films The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017) and its sequel, The Hitman.

In 2023, Salma made a showstopping appearance in Magic Mike's Last Dance, alongside Channing Tatum. It was hot, to put it mildly.

She went on to capture audiences with her portrayal of a woman who fantasized about taking different paths in life in The Roads Not Taken and the scheming cosmetics magnate in the comedy Like a Boss. She also made a splash with her voice-acting abilities in the animated movies The Pirates! Band of Misfits and Puss in Boots.

Plus, of course, why wouldn't she join the Marvel Cinematic Universe? She thrilled viewers as the immortal Ajak in the action-packed film Eternals.

Salma Hayek's Top Movies At The Box Office

Business Ventures

Salma Hayek established her own production company, Ventanarosa, in 2000. The name "Ventanarosa" means "pink window" in Spanish. Siobhan Flynn is the company's Head of Development and Production, and Hayek and her production partner Jose Tamez run it.

Ventanarosa specializes in advancing film projects and provides comprehensive production services to its clients. The company's focus is on multilingual projects with roots in the Latinx world, as well as female-driven narratives with a unique perspective.

Through Ventanarosa, she produced several successful films and television projects, including the critically acclaimed series Ugly Betty (2006–2010). The show, based on a Colombian telenovela, received praise for its diverse cast and empowering message about embracing one's uniqueness.

Not only that, Salma Hayek's appreciation for fashion led her to serve as a guest judge on Project Runway: All-Stars and Project Runway: Junior, further showcasing her influence in the fashion industry.

Personal Life

In 2009, Salma Hayek married French businessman François-Henri Pinault, the CEO of Kering, a luxury fashion group. They have a daughter named Valentina Paloma Pinault, born in 2007, when Hayek was 41 years old.

Net Worth

The net worth of Salma Hayek is $200 million. According to Parade the amount of money that Salma Hayek makes per movie depends on the film's budget and her role in it. However, she reportedly makes around $7 million to $8 million per project.

Activism

Salma Hayek is a passionate advocate for women's rights and humanitarian causes. She has spoken out about issues like gender equality, domestic violence, and maternal health.

As a UNICEF Ambassador, she has been actively involved in various charitable initiatives, particularly those focused on improving the lives of women and children in developing countries.

Controversy

Salma Hayek has been linked to the controversial Ramtha School of Enlightenment.