Sami Hayek Dominguez - Salma Hayek's Father Who Could Afford to Buy Her Tigers

Before Salma Hayek of "The Eternals" became a movie star, she was her father, wealthy Lebanese businessman Sami Hayek Dominguez's precious princess.

For fans worldwide, Salma Hayek is one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, but for Sami Hayek Dominguez, she will always be his little girl. The actress is very close to her father, whom she revealed spoiled her all her life.

Sami Hayek Dominguez is a prosperous Mexican businessman, and he is devoted to his daughter. Now in his 80s, Sami is a doting grandfather to Salma's only daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault.

One of Hollywood's most admired actors, Salma Hayek's breakthrough role was in 1995 in "Desperado," alongside Latin heartthrob Antonio Banderas. Many more roles would follow, including the lead in "Frieda" in 2002, where she played renowned Mexican artist Frieda Kahlo opposite Alfred Molina and Edward Norton.

More recently, the Mexican-born actress starred in "The Roads Not Taken" with Javier Bardem and Elle Fanning. In the Marvel extravaganza, "The Eternals," with Kit Harington, Angelina Jolie, and Kumail Nanjiani.

But long before she became the toast of Hollywood, Salma was already a star, her father Sami Hayek Dominguez''s little princess. She admitted that he spoiled her shamelessly throughout her childhood and adolescence.

Sami Hayek Dominguez Was Successful Businessman

Salma Hayek was born on September 2, 1966, in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico. Her father, Sami, married Spanish opera singer Diana Jiménez Medina, and the two had two children, Salma, and her brother, Sami Jr.

Sami was a top executive in an oil company, providing a good life for his family. Salma became an actress, and Sami Jr. is a furniture designer. The two siblings are exceptionally close, and Salma described him in an Instagram post as "the best brother."

Sami Jr. is a highly talented and successful furniture designer and has lectured at UCLA, New York University, University of Southern California, Penn State, SCI-Arc, and the Cooper- Hewitt National Design Museum.

Sami Hayek Dominguez Bought Tigers for His Daughter

Salma has revealed that there was nothing her father wouldn't do for her. Sami indulged his children in European trips, skiing vacations in Colorado, beautiful clothes, and even riding horses.

But her parent's indulgence didn't stop there. Because Salma loved animals, she had her zoo with tigers and other animals. Her parents even allowed her favorite tiger, Rambo, to live in the house. Salma confessed:

"I thought I was a princess. I lived in a castle, and my father was a king. I wore tiaras."

Sami Hayek Dominguez Passed Lebanese Blood on to Salma

Even though he was born in Mexico, Sami never forgot his Lebanese roots. He took his daughter to Lebanon to visit his father's home village, Baabdat. Salma revealed that she made the film "The Prophet" as a tribute to her grandfather and ancestors. She said:

“For me, this is a love letter to my heritage. Between all the connections of our ancestors and the memories of the ones that are no longer with us, I hope they are proud of this film because I did it also for them.”

Salma has become involved in helping refugees in Lebanon and raised money for charity, but has reacted to the discrimination and violence against women that is rife in both Lebanon and her native Mexico.

Sami Hayek Dominguez Spends a Lot of Time with His Famous Daughter

Salma has always supported her father, and when he ran for mayor of Coatzacoalcos in 1997, she returned to Mexico to support his campaign. Sami is now in his 80s, and he and Salma are as close as ever.

During the Covid pandemic, Salmand, her brother, often played cards with their father. Not a father's day goes by that she doesn't pay tribute to her father with a sweet message on social media, and Salma and her husband take Sami to watch his favorite soccer team play.