Salma Hayek, the celebrated Hollywood actress, has revealed that despite being married to billionaire François-Henri Pinault, she continues to feel the pressure to earn money independently. In a recent interview with WSJ Magazine, the 58-year-old actress shared that she enjoys the challenge of supporting herself financially. “I put pressure on myself to make a certain amount of money, and I love it. Now, I want to earn even more,” she explained.
Financial Independence in Marriage
Hayek emphasized that she and her husband, François-Henri Pinault, have a financially independent relationship, despite not signing a prenuptial agreement. Pinault, who is 62 and the CEO of Kering, a global luxury goods conglomerate, admires her work ethic. “He finds it quite attractive,” Salma said. The couple, who have a 17-year-old daughter, Valentina, maintain separate finances, further underscoring Salma’s commitment to financial autonomy.
From a Wealthy Family to Financial Resilience
Though born into a wealthy family in Mexico, Salma’s father, who was a petroleum executive, lost all his wealth when she was in her twenties. This forced Salma to take charge of her own financial destiny, and she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. She became the breadwinner for her family in Mexico. “That’s when I became the best version of myself,” Salma reflected on her journey.
Navigating Public Perceptions and Marriage
Despite being married to a billionaire, Salma Hayek has often faced public speculation about her wealth and motivations for marrying François-Henri Pinault. She brushed off the criticisms, saying people often wanted to talk only about money, and some even sought to befriend her due to her status.
Salma met François-Henri Pinault in 2006, and they had their daughter a year later. After two rejections, she agreed to marry him in 2007. She also revealed that her wedding day in 2009 felt almost like an intervention, as her family pressured her to marry despite her fears of commitment.
A Strong Partnership
Despite the challenges and public scrutiny, Salma celebrated 15 years of marriage with Pinault in May, calling him her soulmate. “No words can express the happiness of finding a soulmate,” she posted on Instagram, reflecting on the importance of both personal and professional success.
Her story highlights the balance between independence, love, and legacy, making her one of Hollywood’s most admired and resilient figures.
