Salma Hayek facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Salma Hayek
Hayek in 2024
Born	Salma Valgarma Hayek Jiménez (1966-09-02) September 2, 1966 (age 58) Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico
Citizenship	Mexico United States France
Occupation	Actress film producer
Years active	1988–present
Works	Full list
Spouse(s)	François-Henri Pinault ​ (m. 2009)​
Children	1

Salma Valgarma Hayek Pinault (born September 2, 1966) is a famous actress and film producer from Mexico and the United States. She started her acting journey in Mexico. She starred in a popular TV show called Teresa (1989–1991). She also appeared in the movie Midaq Alley (1995).

Soon after, Salma became a well-known actress in Hollywood. She acted in movies like Desperado (1995), From Dusk till Dawn (1996), and Wild Wild West (1999). Her role as the artist Frida Kahlo in the movie Frida (2002) was very important. She was the first Mexican actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Salma Hayek has also produced many films and TV shows. She won a Daytime Emmy Award for directing The Maldonado Miracle (2004). She was also nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards for her work on the TV show Ugly Betty (2006–2010).

She is known as one of Hollywood's most powerful and influential Latina actresses. In 2023, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2021, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is married to businessman François-Henri Pinault and they have one daughter.

Early Life and Education

Salma Hayek Jiménez was born in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico. Her father, Sami Hayek Domínguez, is from Lebanon. He owns a business and was an oil company executive. Her mother, Diana Jiménez Medina, is an opera singer. She is of Spanish descent. Salma has a younger brother named Sami, who designs furniture.

Salma grew up in a Catholic family. When she was 12, she went to study at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. While in school, she learned that she had dyslexia, which is a learning difference that can affect reading. Later, she studied international relations at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.

Salma Hayek's Acting Career

Salma Hayek's career began in Mexico. She then moved to Hollywood and became a global star.

Starting Out in Mexico (1988–1994)

Salma's first TV role was in Un Nuevo Amanecer (1988). For this, she won an award for Best Debut Actress. Then, at age 23, she got the main role in Teresa (1989–1991). This Mexican TV show, called a telenovela, made her a star in Mexico. The show ran for two years and had 125 episodes.

In 1991, Salma moved to Los Angeles to act in Hollywood movies. She took English lessons and acting classes. It was hard at first because there were not many roles for Latina women. She was even told her accent might be a problem. Still, she got small roles in TV shows like Dream On (1992). She also appeared in the movie Mi Vida Loca (1993).

In 1994, Salma starred in the Mexican drama El callejón de los milagros (Miracle Alley). This movie won many awards in Mexican cinema history. Salma was nominated for an Ariel Award for Best Actress for her role.

Becoming a Hollywood Star (1995–2001)

Hayek in 1998

Director Robert Rodriguez chose Salma to star in Desperado (1995). She played Carolina, a strong and confident character, alongside Antonio Banderas. This movie is seen as her big breakthrough. Desperado was a success, earning $25.4 million in the United States. In 1996, she also appeared in Fled.

Salma then starred in the romantic comedy Fools Rush In (1997) with Matthew Perry. Critics liked her performance. The movie did well and earned Salma an ALMA Award nomination. She also acted in another romantic comedy, Breaking Up (1997), with Russell Crowe.

In 1999, Salma started her own production company called Ventanarosa. Through this company, she creates movies and TV shows. Her first film as a producer was El Coronel No Tiene Quien Le Escriba (1999). She also produced and starred in the TV movie In the Time of the Butterflies (2001). In this film, she played Minerva Mirabal, one of the Mirabal sisters who fought against a dictator.

Worldwide Recognition (2002–2009)

Hayek was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Frida Kahlo

In 2002, Salma produced and starred in the movie Frida. She played the famous artist Frida Kahlo. Salma had been interested in playing Frida for many years. She felt a strong connection to Frida's art and spirit. Frida was praised by critics and did well in art-house cinemas.

Her performance as Frida Kahlo made her the first Mexican actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. She also received nominations for the Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and BAFTA Award for Best Actress.

In 2003, Salma produced and directed The Maldonado Miracle. This TV film won her a Daytime Emmy Award for directing a children's special. She also worked again with director Robert Rodriguez in Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over and Once Upon a Time in Mexico. In Once Upon a Time in Mexico, she played her character from Desperado again.

Hayek at the 2004 Guadalajara International Film Festival

In 2004, Salma starred with Pierce Brosnan in the action comedy After the Sunset. In 2006, she appeared with her friend Penélope Cruz in the Western comedy Bandidas. They played two women who become bank robbers to fight against a bad guy.

Salma was also an executive producer for the American TV series Ugly Betty (2006–2010). She helped bring the story from a Colombian telenovela to American television. She also made guest appearances on the show as Sofia Reyes. Ugly Betty was very popular and won a Golden Globe Award for Best Comedy Series in 2007. Salma was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards for her work on the show.

Continued Success (2010–Present)

In 2010, Salma played a fashion designer in the comedy Grown Ups with Adam Sandler. This movie earned a lot of money worldwide. She also voiced Kitty Softpaws, a clever cat, in the animated movie Puss in Boots (2011). This movie was a spin-off from the Shrek series. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature.

Hayek at the 2012 Deauville American Film Festival

In 2012, Salma voiced a character in the animated film The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!. She also played a cartel leader in the action film Savages. She returned for Grown Ups 2 (2013), which was also a commercial success.

Salma produced and voiced a character in The Prophet (2014). This animated film was based on a famous book by Kahlil Gibran. In 2015, she starred in the fantasy film Tale of Tales.

In 2017, Salma starred in the drama Beatriz at Dinner. Her role earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination. She also appeared in the action comedy The Hitman's Bodyguard. She played the wife of a hitman, alongside Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson. This film made $176.6 million globally.

Hayek at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con

In 2021, Salma starred in the drama Bliss and the sequel Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard. She also played Ajak, the wise leader, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Eternals. Salma was excited to be a superhero, especially as a Mexican woman in her 50s. She felt proud to wear the superhero outfit. Eternals earned $401 million worldwide.

Her last film of 2021 was House of Gucci. In this movie, she played Giuseppina “Pina” Auriemma, a friend and confidante. In 2022, she returned as Kitty Softpaws in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. This movie was highly praised and earned $485.3 million. It was also nominated for an Academy Award.

In 2023, she appeared as herself in an episode of the Netflix show Black Mirror called "Joan Is Awful".

Other Activities and Interests

Salma Hayek is also known for her work outside of acting.

Helping Others

Salma is very active in charity work. She works to raise awareness about violence against women. She also speaks out against discrimination towards immigrants. In 2005, she spoke to the U.S. Senate to support the Violence Against Women Act. In 2006, she donated money to shelters for women in Mexico. She is also a board member of V-Day, a charity that fights violence against women.

In 2013, Salma helped launch "Chime for Change" with Beyoncé and Frida Giannini. This Gucci campaign aims to help women around the world. For International Women's Day in 2014, she signed a letter to the British Prime Minister. This letter campaigned for women's rights in Afghanistan. After visiting Lebanon in 2015, Salma spoke out against discrimination faced by women there.

In 2019, Salma's husband's family promised a large amount of money to help rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after a fire. In 2020, Salma used her Instagram to raise awareness about the disappearance of Vanessa Guillen.

Business and Endorsements

Salma Hayek has worked with many brands. She was a spokeswoman for Revlon and Avon cosmetics. She also modeled for Chopard and appeared in commercials for Lincoln cars.

She has worked with Procter & Gamble and UNICEF to help fund vaccines. They promote vaccines against tetanus through the sale of disposable diapers. Salma is a global spokesperson for this partnership.

In 2008, Salma co-founded Cooler Cleanse, a juice delivery program. In 2011, she launched her own line of beauty products. These products, called Nuance by Salma Hayek, include cosmetics, skincare, and haircare. They are sold in CVS stores.

Personal Life

Hayek with her husband François-Henri Pinault at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival

Salma Hayek is a naturalized citizen of the United States. She has studied at Ramtha's School of Enlightenment and practices yoga.

On March 9, 2007, Salma confirmed she was engaged to French billionaire François-Henri Pinault. He is the CEO of Kering, a luxury goods company. She gave birth to their daughter on September 21, 2007. They got married on Valentine's Day in 2009 in Paris. They renewed their vows in Venice, Italy, on April 25, 2009.

Filmography and Awards

Here are some of Salma Hayek's highest-earning films at the box office:

Salma's role as Frida Kahlo in Frida (2002) earned her nominations for Best Actress at the 75th Academy Awards and the 61st Golden Globe Awards. She won a Daytime Emmy Award for directing The Maldonado Miracle (2004). She also received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her work on Ugly Betty (2006–10). In 2011, Salma was given the Knight (Chevalier) rank of the National Order of the Legion of Honour. This is the highest French award. In 2021, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

See also

In Spanish: Salma Hayek para niños