Born in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, on 2 September 1966, the daughter of a Mexican opera singer mother and a Lebanese oil company executive father, Salma had a wealthy Catholic upbringing. As a teen she was an accomplished gymnast, but her father prevented her from being recruited by the Mexican national team. Oh, the thought of Ms. Hayek squeezed into a tight leotard, jiggling in all directions as she tears down a runway to straddle a horse ... it's enough to burst a few blood vessels just thinking about!
Now one of the biggest Latin names in Hollywood, along with best friend Penelope Cruz, Salma has her own production company and is executive producer on the hit TV series Ugly Betty, among other things.