Salma Hayek rejects the idea that she married her billionaire husband for money

Salma Hayek is a successful actress in her own right, but has also had to deal with the stigma that comes with her marriage to billionaire François-Henri Pinault. They've been married for 15 years now, but that doesn't seem to stop her critics from claiming she's only sticking around for his money.

The 58-year-old actress clears this stereotypical misconception of marrying a man for his wealth because she has earned a handsome sum all by herself. “I support many aspects of my life and myself,” she admitted The Wall Street Journal. “I have pressure to make a certain amount of money and I like that. And now I’ve decided I want to do more.”

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François-Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek at Balenciaga RTW Spring 2025 as part of Paris Ready to Wear Fashion Week on September 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images) — François-Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek at Balenciaga RTW Spring 2025 as part of Paris Ready to Wear Fashion Week on September 30, 2024 in Paris, France.

According to her interview, the couple does not have a prenuptial agreement and their money is kept separate. What she does know is that she loves making her own fortune. “For me, the exciting thing about having a lot of money was that I didn't have to think about money, and it turned out that people only wanted to talk to me about money,” she explained about her life after marrying the CEO from Kering, the fashion giant for brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta.

This is not the first time The Eternals star addressed the money issue with Pinault. She spoke about the hot topic at Dax Shepard's in February 2021 Armchair expert Podcast. “You know, when I married him, everyone said, 'Oh, it's an arranged marriage, she married him for the money,'” Hayek said. “I'm like, 'Yeah, whatever, bastard – think what you want.' Fifteen years together and we are strong in love. And I'm not even offended, I'm just like, 'Yeah, whatever.'”

She also praised her husband, who worked as a fashion executive, for really adding dimension to her life. “You know, the thing is, in pictures you can't even begin to imagine the magic in him – he made me a much better person and allowed me to grow in such a good, healthy way,” Hayek added. So critics should be aware that their relationship is about more than just a bank account – Hayek and Pinault have amassed their personal fortune through their hard work and talent. And yes, there is a lot of love between them.

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