Zoe Saldana is an American actress, born on June 19, 1978, in Passaic, New Jersey, and raised in Queens, New York. Her family roots are from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. She started her career with a love for dance and got her first big acting role in the movie Center Stage (2000). She became famous for playing Neytiri in Avatar and Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers movies. In 2025, she won her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez, becoming the first American actor of Dominican origin to win this award. Saldana is known for her talent and strong performances in Hollywood.
Personal Information
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Zoë Yadira Saldaña-Perego |
| Nick Name | Zoe Saldana |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of Birth & Age | June 19, 1978 (46 years old as of 2025) |
| Birth Place | Passaic, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Country | United States of America |
| Father | Aridio Saldaña (deceased) |
| Mother | Asalia Nazario |
| Siblings | Sisters: Cisely Saldaña (film producer), Mariel Saldaña; Half-brother: Nipo Saldaña (popular Dominican artist) |
| Spouse | Marco Perego (married in 2013) |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Information not publicly disclosed |
| Profession | Actor, Film & TV Producer |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Height | 5′ 7″ (170 cm) |
| Weight (approx.) | Information not publicly disclosed |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Trademarks | Known for her roles in science fiction franchises like “Avatar,” “Star Trek,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $35 million as of 2025 |
Early life
Zoe Saldaña was born on June 19, 1978, in Passaic, New Jersey, USA. She was raised in a bilingual household, speaking both English and Spanish. Her father, Aridio Saldaña, was of Dominican descent, and her mother, Asalia Nazario, was from Puerto Rico.
Zoe Saldana and mother Asalia, Zoe Saldana’s father Aridio Saldana. Photo: Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic ; Zoe Saldana Instagram
When she was around 9 years old, her father tragically passed away in a car accident. This profound loss deeply affected the family, especially her mother, Asalia Nazario, who struggled with grief. Following this, her mother moved the family with Zoe sisters Cisely and Mariel, Saldana settled to the Dominican Republic to live with their grandparents.
During this period, Zoe discovered her passion for dance and and attended the prestigious ECOS Espacio de Danza Academy, where she studied ballet and other dance forms. This provided solace and a creative outlet during challenging times. However, she later shifted her focus to acting, realizing that ballet had too many physical limitations for her.
When she was 17 years old, she returned to New York City and the budding actress joined the Brooklyn-based FACES theater group. This experience helped her land her first major film role in Center Stage (2000), which showcased both her acting and dance skills.
Although ballet provided Saldana with a means of expression and sparked her creativity, the passion eventually faded and was ultimately extinguished. In dance every part of body is used except voice. The intense physical demands of ballet wore her out, and she soon realized she didn’t have the right kind of feet for it — likely meaning the flexibility and strength needed for pointe work.
Education
Zoe Saldaña’s basic education life was shaped by her time in both the United States and the Dominican Republic. She spent her early years in Queens, New York, where she attended elementary school. She attended the ECOS Espacio de Danza Academy, where she studied various forms of dance, particularly ballet. Although she didn’t attend a traditional college or university, her early training in dance and theater laid a strong foundation for her success in Hollywood.
Career Highlights
| Time Period | Career Highlights & Achievements |
| 1999 – 2004 | – Debut in TV series Law & Order (1999) – First major film role in Center Stage (2000) – Appeared in Crossroads (2002) with Britney Spears – Played Anamaria in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) |
| 2005 – 2010 | – Starred in Guess Who (2005) alongside Ashton Kutcher – Cast as Uhura in Star Trek (2009), earning critical acclaim – Played Neytiri in James Cameron’s Avatar (2009), which became the highest-grossing film of all time at the time |
| 2011 – 2015 | – Reprised Uhura in Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) – Played Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), expanding into the Marvel Cinematic Universe |
| 2016 – 2020 | – Starred in Star Trek Beyond (2016) – Reprised Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) – Played a crucial role in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), both of which became two of the highest-grossing films ever |
| 2021 – Present | – Reprised Neytiri in Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), another record-breaking blockbuster – Starred in Special Ops: Lioness (2023), a CIA thriller series – Won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez (2025), marking a historic career milestone |
Personal Life
| Aspect | Details |
| Marriage | Married Marco Perego (Italian artist) in 2013. He took her last name, becoming Marco Perego-Saldaña. |
| Children | – Twin sons: Cy Aridio & Bowie Ezio (born 2014) – Youngest son: Zen (born 2017) – Raises them in a multilingual household (Spanish, English, and Italian). |
| Cultural Identity | Proud Afro-Latina, advocates for diversity and representation in Hollywood. |
| Philanthropy | Supports women, children, and education, focusing on arts and underprivileged communities. |
| Health & Lifestyle | – Diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (autoimmune thyroid disorder). – Follows a gluten-free and dairy-free diet for health management. – Maintains a balanced fitness routine. |
| Interests & Hobbies | – Passion for science fiction & space exploration. – Strong advocate for gender equality & mental health awareness. |
Salaries /Networths
| Year | Film | Reported Salary |
| 2009 | Avatar | $4 million |
| 2014 | Guardians of the Galaxy | $100,000 |
| 2018 | Avengers: Infinity War | $3 million |
| 2019 | Avengers: Endgame | $11 million |
| 2022 | Avatar: The Way of Water | $8 million |
| Total Estimated Film Earnings | $26.1 million | |
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $60 million |
These figures highlight Saldana’s significant financial success, particularly through her roles in major franchises like Avatar.
Endorsements & Other Ventures
Beyond her successful acting career, Zoe Saldana has built a strong financial portfolio through endorsements, business ventures, and philanthropic work. Here’s a look at her various income streams outside of films:
Brand Endorsements & Sponsorships
Zoe Saldana has partnered with several high-end brands, boosting her net worth:
- L’Oréal Paris – Became a global ambassador for the brand, appearing in major beauty campaigns.
- Calvin Klein – Featured in fashion and fragrance ads.
- Dolce & Gabbana – Promoted luxury fashion and beauty products.
- Gap & Stuart Weitzman – Collaborated on fashion campaigns.
Production Company – Cinestar Pictures
- Founded Cinestar Pictures alongside her sisters, Cisely and Mariel Saldaña.
- Focuses on producing diverse stories, particularly uplifting Latino voices in Hollywood.
- Produced projects like The Honor List (2018) and Special Ops: Lioness (2023).
Technology & Business Investments
- Invested in BeSe, a digital media company founded by actress Gina Rodriguez, aimed at amplifying underrepresented voices.
- Partnered with VR and AI companies focused on immersive storytelling.
Philanthropy & Advocacy
- Works with FINCA International, a nonprofit supporting women entrepreneurs.
- Advocates for STEM education for young girls, particularly in Latino communities.
- Supports environmental causes, aligning with her Avatar franchise’s themes.
Favorites
| Food | Italian cuisine, seafood, and Dominican dishes (like Mangu and Sancocho) |
| Drink | Coffee and green smoothies |
| Color | Purple and Black |
| Sports | Yoga and Pilates |
| Singer | Prince and Celia Cruz |
| Actor | Morgan Freeman and Johnny Depp |
| Actress | Cate Blanchett and Angelina Jolie |
| Movie | The Godfather (1972) and Gone with the Wind (1939) |
| Book | The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende |
| Fashion Brand | Dolce & Gabbana, Balmain, and Gucci |
| Perfume | Acqua di Gioia by Giorgio Armani |
| Hobby | Dancing, reading, and cooking |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Zoe Saldana’s full name?
👁️Her full name is Zoë Yadira Saldaña-Perego.
2. When and where was Zoe Saldaña born?
👁️She was born on June 19, 1978, in Passaic, New Jersey, USA.
3. What is Zoe Saldaña’s nationality?
👁️ She holds American nationality but has Dominican and Puerto Rican ancestry.
4. What languages does Zoe Saldaña speak?
👁️ She is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish.
5. Who is Zoe Saldaña married to?
👁️ She is married to Marco Perego-Saldaña, an Italian artist. They got married in 2013, and he took her last name.
6. What’s unique about her wedding?
👁️ Zoe and Marco Perego had a secret wedding in London in 2013, attended by only close family and friends. Unlike most Hollywood couples, Marco chose to take her last name instead of the other way around.
7. How many children does Zoe Saldaña have?
👁️ She has three sons: Cy, Bowie (twins born in 2014), and Zen (born in 2017).
8. What is Zoe Saldaña’s net worth?
👁️ As of 2025, her estimated net worth is $60 million.
9. Does Zoe Saldaña have any health conditions?
👁️ Yes, she has Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid. She follows a gluten-free and dairy-free diet to manage it.
10. Is Zoe Saldaña involved in space exploration advocacy?
👁️ Yes! Her roles in Star Trek and Avatar inspired her to support NASA and space exploration programs. She has attended space-related events and spoken about her love for astronomy and science fiction.
Disclaimer: The information is taken from authentic resources and websites. However, provnabio is not responsible for any irrelevant or wrong information.