Salma Hayek Jiménez was born on September 2, 1966, in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico. Her father, Sami Hayek Domínguez, is of Lebanese descent, and her mother, Diana Jiménez Medina, is of Spanish descent. She was raised in a devout Catholic family and attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. She later studied International Relations at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City but dropped out to pursue acting.
Hayek began her acting career in Mexico, gaining recognition for her role in the telenovela “Teresa” (1989). She quickly became a popular television star in Mexico.
In 1991, Hayek moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Hollywood. She studied acting with Stella Adler. Her early roles included appearances in films like “Mi Vida Loca” (1993) and “Desperado” (1995), which marked her breakthrough into mainstream American cinema. Her partnership with director Robert Rodriguez proved to be pivotal in establishing her career.
Hayek has starred in a wide range of films, showcasing her versatility as an actress. She has appeared in both English and Spanish-language productions. Some of her most notable films include: