Salma Hayek, the talented actress known for her roles in Black Mirror and House of Gucci, recently shared an amusing anecdote about her first kiss. In an interview with W magazine, the 56-year-old actress reminisced about the memorable event that took place in her hometown of Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. In an attempt to make her lips taste good, Salma kept applying honey. However, her plan backfired when she ended up with an unfortunate infestation of ants and a burnt mouth. Salma humorously described the experience as “something that started real romantic turned out to be kind of disastrous.”
A Hollywood Romance Unfolds
Fast forward to 2006, and Salma’s love life took a glamorous turn when she met François-Henry Pinault, the dynamic CEO of Kering. While the actress has always been private about their early days, she suggested in an interview with Town & Country in 2019 that their love story was both romantic and amazing. She expressed her desire to keep it private, stating, “I don’t want to vulgarize it by making it into a story to make myself interesting.”
Their relationship progressed rapidly, and the couple made momentous announcements in March 2007. They not only got engaged but also revealed that they were expecting their first child. Later that year, Salma gave birth to their daughter, Valentina. François already had two children, François and Mathilde, from a previous marriage, as well as a son named August from his relationship with model Linda Evangelista.
Salma’s fiercely independent spirit was evident when she confessed in a 2023 interview with Glamour that the road to their Valentine’s Day nuptials in 2009 was not devoid of obstacles. She admitted, “It was like an intervention. My parents, my brother, they were all ganging up on me. I had a phobia of the marriage thing.” Despite her initial reservations, two months after their intimate ceremony in Paris, the couple celebrated their union with a grand event in Italy, befitting of their star-studded status.
In 2020, as Salma and François celebrated their 14th anniversary, the actress took to social media to express her love for her husband. She shared a heartfelt message, stating, “Today 14 years ago I met my soul mate. After the test of time and even the test of the quarantine, I feel very blessed that I’ve found you, and the more I discover you, the more my love grows. Happy anniversary Mi Amor.”
Despite occasional rumors and misconceptions surrounding their marriage, Salma remained unfazed. During an appearance on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast in 2021, she addressed the speculations head-on. Responding to claims that their marriage was arranged and motivated by money, Salma confidently stated, “When I married him, everybody said, ‘Oh, it’s an arranged marriage. She married him for the money.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, whatever. Think what you want. Fifteen years together.’ And we are strong in love.”
Salma Hayek’s love story with François-Henry Pinault is one that defies expectations and continues to thrive. From a quirky first kiss to a Hollywood romance, their journey to marriage was not without its hurdles. However, their love has stood the test of time, proving that true love can flourish in the face of misconceptions and outside judgments.