Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek Jiménez (born September 2, 1966) is an Academy Award-nominated actress, Emmy-winning director, film producer and television producer. The most successful Latin-American actress in Hollywood since Carmen Miranda, Salma Hayek has appeared in more than thirty films and worked as an actress outside of Hollywood in Mexico and Spain.

Salma Hayek's charitable work includes increasing awareness on violence against women and discrimination against immigrants



Salma Hayek was born in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico to Sami Hayek, a Lebanese oil company executive, and Diana Jiménez, an opera singer. Salma Hayek's paternal grandparents were Mexicans of Lebanese descent, while her mother is of Spanish descent. Raised in a wealthy, devoutly Catholic family, Salma Hayek was sent to the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Grand Coteau, Louisiana, at the age of 12. Salma Hayek was also an accomplished gymnast, with aspirations of becoming an Olympic competitor.

After Salma Hayek was not asked to return to the Academy because of behavioral problems by the religious sisters who ran the school, Salma Hayek returned to Mexico for a period, but then Salma Hayek was sent to Houston, Texas, to live with her aunt, where Salma Hayek stayed until she was 17. Salma Hayek subsequently moved to Mexico City for college, where Salma Hayek studied International Relations at the Universidad Iberoamericana. To the chagrin of Salma Hayek's family, she decided to drop out in order to pursue a career as an actress.

At the age of 23, Salma Hayek landed the title role in Teresa (1989), a successful telenovela (Mexican soap opera) which earned Salma Hayek's star status in Mexico. Later, in 1994, Salma Hayek starred in El Callejón de los Milagros (Midaq Alley), which has won more awards than any other movie in the history of Mexican Cinema. For her performance Salma Hayek was nominated to an Ariel Award.



Salma Hayek has been a spokesperson for Avon Products, Inc. since 2004. Salma Hayek modeled for Chopard in 2001. Was featured in 2006 Campari adverts.

Salma Hayek dated fellow actor Edward Norton for four years, between 1999 and 2003, and then Josh Lucas from 2003 until 2004. As of 2006, Salma Hayek is single and has homes in Los Angeles and Mexico. Salma Hayek is best friends with Spanish actress, Penelope Cruz. The two co-starred in the 2006 film, Bandidas.

Salma Hayek was the recipient of Glamour Magazine Woman of the Year Award in October 2001.
Salma Hayek was the recipient of Producers Guild of America Celebration of Diversity Award in 2003.
Salma Hayek was the recipient of Harvard Foundation Artist of the Year Award in February 2006.

Salma Hayek was the guest host on Saturday Night Live on March 15, 2003 with musical guest Christina Aguilera.
Salma Hayek co-hosted the annual Nobel Peace Prize concert with Julianne Moore in Oslo, Norway on December 11, 2005.
Oscar-nominated actress Salma Hayek will help announce the nominees for the 79th annual Academy Awards in Beverly Hills, California, next week. Salma Hayek will join Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis in unveiling nominations in 10 of the 24 award categories during an 8:30 a.m. (EST) news conference at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, the academy said Wednesday.

Salma Hayek was nominated for Best Actress in 2002 for her portrayal of artist Frida Kahlo in "Frida." Salma Hayek's other films include "Ask the Dust," "After the Sunset," "Once upon a Time in Mexico," "Dogma" and "Fools Rush In." The Academy Awards will be presented Feb. 25 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood in ceremonies to be televised live on ABC.

01-30-2007 : Salma Hayek is one hot date

Italian alcohol company Campari has taken a leaf out of Pirelli's girlie calendars by making its own with Salma Hayek. Shot by celebrity snapper Mario Testino, the 2007 Hotel Campari calendar features the voluptuous Mexican beauty in a figure-hugging black dress, draped in expensive jewellery and good-looking blokes.

Salma Hayek's doing various things with a bottle of Campari - except pouring herself a drink.Only 9999 copies of the Salma Hayek calendar, to be launched in Australia this month, have been made.