Salma Hayek, known for her powerful roles and independence, recently opened up about her approach to wealth and independence, sharing her motivations for maintaining financial autonomy despite her husband, François-Henri Pinault’s, billion-dollar family fortune.
In an interview with WSJ. Magazine, the Frida star explained, “I support many aspects of my life and myself. I feel the pressure to earn a certain amount of money, and I like it. Now, I’ve decided that I want to make even more.” At 58, Hayek added that while she and her husband keep their finances separate despite lacking a prenuptial agreement, Pinault finds her work ethic appealing, saying, “I think he finds it kind of sexy.”
Reflecting on her family and past, Hayek noted that her father’s wealth was lost by the time she was in her twenties, making her the primary earner for her family after moving to Los Angeles. “That’s when I became the best version of myself,” she shared, discussing the transformation she underwent during those years.
The House of Gucci star, who shares a 17-year-old daughter, Valentina, with Pinault, also revealed her plans to pursue business ventures with her daughter. Hayek observed that her marriage to Pinault has brought her into wealthy circles where discussions about money are constant, and wealthy acquaintances often approach her out of presumed shared financial status. “Strangers come up to me, who aren’t even friends, thinking that we should be friends just because they’re rich too,” she noted.
Earlier this year, the couple marked their 15th wedding anniversary. “There are no words to explain the blessing of finding your soulmate,” Hayek captioned on Instagram, reminding others to cherish such connections if found and to continue searching if not.