Hayek

Sep 2 1966

Salma Hayek Jiménez was born in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico to Sami Hayek, a Mexican oil company executive, and Diana Jiménez, an opera singer. Hayek's paternal grandparents were Mexicans of Lebanese-Assyrian descent, while her mother is of Spanish descent. Reflecting her Assyrian heritage, her first name literally means ‘peace’ or ‘calm’ in Aramaic.

0 1978

At the age of 12, Salma was sent to the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Grand Coteau, Louisiana. The religious sisters running the Academy ejected Hayek citing behavioral problems, so she returned to Mexico. She was later sent to live with her aunt in Houston, Texas, where she stayed until she was 17

0 1983

She attended college in Mexico City, where she studied International Relations at the Universidad Iberoamericana. To the chagrin of her family, she dropped out to pursue a career as an actress.

0 1989

At the age of 23, Hayek landed the title role in Teresa (1989), a successful Mexican telenovela (soap opera) that made her a star in Mexico.

0 1991

Salma did small roles in "Street Justice" (1991), "The Sinbad Show" (1993), "Nurses" (1991), and as a sexy maid on the HBO series "Dream On" (1990). She also had one line in the Allison Anders film Mi vida loca (1993).

0 1991

Salma left for Los Angeles in the year 1991 to pursue her passion of acting in films.

0 1994

In 1994, Hayek starred in El Callejón de los Milagros (Miracle Alley), which has won more awards than any other movie in the history of Mexican cinema. For her performance Hayek was nominated for an Ariel Award.

0 1995

Robert Rodriguez and his producer wife Elizabeth Avellan soon gave Salma the break she needed, a starring role opposite Antonio Banderas in 1995's Desperado. The movie caught Hollywood's attention, as moviegoers proved to be as dazzled by Hayek as Rodriguez had been.

She was also credited for the song Quedate Aquí in the movie.

0 1996

Salma followed her success in...