Salma Valgarma Hayek Jimenez was born September 2, 1966 in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. Her net worth is estimated at $85 million. At the age of 23 she landed a lead role in a Mexican tele-novela that made her a star in Mexico. In 1991 she moved to los Angeles to study acting under Stella Adler. Her English was limited, partially due to her being dyslexic. Finally in 1995 she was given a role opposite Antonio Banderas in "Desperado". She was offered a role in "Zorro", but turned it down due to her loyalty to her director. Hayek also had a lead role opposite Matthew Perry in the movie "Fools Rush In", and side casting roles in films such as "Dogma" and "Wild Wild West". Sometime in 2000 Hayek founded the production company Venatarosa, for film and television projects. In 2007 she officially became the company's CEO. She has lent her singing talents to three different movies, and guest started in several television shows including a short role on NBC's "30 Rock" as Alec Baldwin's love intrest. Hayek has been a spokesperson for Avon cosmetics since 2004, and has also appeared in a series of Spanish language commercials for Lincoln cars. Hayek is married to French CEO Francois Henri-Pinault who is worth $17 billion, and together they have a daughter.
