Salma Hayek Thought She Wasn’t ‘Able To’ Have Baby until She Gave Birth at 41 — Pics of Her Daughter at 16

• In her forties, Salma Hayek had enjoyed a successful career for more than two decades.
• But she badly wanted something that she thought was out of her reach.
• At 41, she had her daughter, who is now 16 and wants to follow in her mother's footsteps.

Salma Hayek has been captivating audiences with her incredible acting skills for over three decades. Her illustrious career, marked by her diverse roles in the film industry, showcases her versatility and dedication to her craft. However, away from the limelight, Hayek has a role that defines her in a different light.

She is a devoted mother to a teenage daughter, whom she shares with her husband of fourteen years. For years, she harbored doubts about her ability to conceive. Despite these doubts, at the age of 41, Hayek experienced the joy of becoming a mother.

Now, years later, her daughter is a familiar face at various events, frequently accompanying her mother. In 2015, at the Los Angeles premiere of Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet," a 7-year-old Valentina shared the limelight with her mom, marking just one of their many exciting adventures.

During an August 2015 interview with People Magazine, Hayek opened up about her past fears of not being able to experience motherhood. She expressed concerns about starting a family later in life, ultimately giving birth just after her 41st birthday—a significant moment for her.

She said, "I thought I wasn't going to be able to, and it was such an important thing to me." Fortuitously, in 2006, she crossed paths with François-Henri Pinault, a French billionaire businessman who would later become her husband. The couple welcomed their daughter, Valentina Paloma, in 2007.

The birth was announced on the evening of September 21, 2007, with the representative stating that both mother and child were doing well. Following Valentina's arrival, Hayek took a hiatus from work to focus entirely on her daughter. However, her husband, Pinault, encouraged her to continue pursuing her passion, which she did when her daughter was three.

Today, she is grateful for that decision and believes that being a working mother imparts a valuable lesson to her daughter. Hayek emphasizes the importance of children understanding that, while they are a priority, the world does not revolve around them. She aims to set an example for her daughter by continuing to grow in her career.

While the couple agrees on many things, there is one topic they disagree on – who their daughter Valentina resembles more. Hayek believes Valentina resembles Pinault, while he is convinced she takes after her mother. Fans are also divided about which parent Valentina looks like, with some saying she looks like her mother while others argue that she takes after her father.

Hayek acknowledges that many might perceive her lifestyle as one where she can attain anything she desires and achieve monumental feats. However, she asserts that while she has already reached the pinnacle of success, the joy of motherhood, and the experience of nurturing a life, has been the most extraordinary journey she has embarked upon.

While the future may hold the possibility of expanding her family, for now, this experience of motherhood has been unparalleled in its profundity. She stated, "It's changed me a lot." She has lived a life filled with diverse experiences, yet none compare to the miracle of motherhood.

Many may look upon her life with awe, marveling at her accomplishments and the opportunities at her disposal. However, in her eyes, no achievement, no matter how significant, can eclipse the incredible journey of bringing a child into the world. She believes this is her greatest achievement, the most remarkable journey she has undertaken.

When asked about the lessons she has learned from her daughter, Valentina, Hayek shares that every day is a learning experience. Each day brings with it a new lesson, a new insight. As for a special memory of Valentina, Hayek confesses that she can't single out just one. Valentina's life is filled with unforgettable moments that have left a lasting mark on Hayek's heart.

Valentina's contagious positivity has become a constant source of joy and taught Hayek powerful lessons, encouraging her to laugh more freely and fully embrace the beauty of happiness. Motherhood has ushered in profound changes in Hayek's life. It heightened her awareness of the struggles faced by others, particularly the heartbreaking plight of children battling tetanus.

The notion of innocent lives succumbing to a preventable disease strikes a chord deep within her. Today, Hayek's daughter is 16 years old, a young girl stepping into her own identity. Hayek has managed to raise her child amidst her bustling career, and the two share a beautiful bond.

Valentina, a significant part of Hayek's life, has also expressed aspirations in the entertainment industry. In an interview with Vogue Mexico, she shared her desire to be both an actress and a director, inspired by her mother. "I want different things, but I almost always move between 4. I would like to be an actress and then a director," she shared.

She believes that having experience in front of the camera can provide invaluable insights when stepping behind it to direct. The mother-daughter duo candidly discussed their shared experiences, from posing for magazine covers to their mutual passion for fashion. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, much like a dialogue between friends who have built their relationship on mutual respect and learning.

The two strengthen their bond further through their shared language. Hayek often speaks to Valentina in Spanish, her native language, to create a private moment amidst a crowd. She also confessed that it reinforced unity and the family bond. Valentina's presence in Hayek's life has been so profound that it eclipsed all other aspects. "I already wanted to have this daughter so much that nothing else mattered to me. Not my career or anything," Hayek confessed.

The mother-daughter duo is so close that Valentina often raids her mother's closet. Hayek joked that they often squabble over clothes because Valentina borrows so much from her mom's wardrobe, leaving her nothing to wear.

Despite the size difference, Valentina has a fondness for her mother's shoes and a penchant for her clothes. "The truth is that when it comes to clothes, I love hers, but in general, I always wear what I like. I hardly pay attention to the brand," Valentina admitted.

Valentina plays a dual role in Hayek's life, seamlessly oscillating between being the most discerning critic and the staunchest supporter. This dynamic was evident during Hayek's star-studded Walk of Fame moment, where Valentina stood proudly by her mother's side.

Beyond being a supportive presence, Valentina also showcases her artistic flair as a budding photographer and finds joy in experimenting with makeup and perfumes. A significant moment was captured in the May 2022 edition of Vogue Mexico, where Hayek and Valentina graced the cover. The stunning photographs showcased their unique bond and their distinctive styles in various settings.

Music serves as another avenue for Valentina to express her individuality, with a diverse taste that includes artists like Lana Del Rey, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, and Kanye West on her playlist. Their shared passion for fashion is evident as Valentina often accompanies her mother to high-profile fashion events.

Hayek, a regular attendee of fashion galas, made a stylish appearance at Milan Fashion Week alongside her entourage, which included Valentina and her stepdaughter Mathilde Pinault. Their striking presence at the Gucci F/W 2023 show in February 2023, where each donned ensembles from the designer's collection, further emphasized their love for fashion.

This fashionable trio also left an impact at Paris Fashion Week in March 2022. The 2023 Oscars witnessed Hayek and Valentina making a fashion statement in matching red dresses. A keen observer would note the nostalgic touch to Valentina's attire – a strapless red dress by Isaac Mizrahi pulled from her mother's wardrobe, first worn by Hayek at the Fire & Ice Ball in 1997.

Despite her young age, Valentina is no stranger to the red carpet. She accompanied her mother to the premiere of the Marvel movie "Eternals" in 2021 and, even earlier, graced the red carpet for the premiere of "Puss in Boots" in 2011, posing alongside the movie's character. In October 2023, the duo made a vibrant appearance, donning matching purple outfits, during the star-studded BECKHAM documentary afterparty.

Their shared experiences, both on and off the red carpet, paint a heartwarming portrait of a close-knit family that deeply values togetherness and cherishes the richness of shared moments.