Zoe Saldaña's name has been carved in gold. The Dominican-American actress won her first Oscar earlier this year, making history as the first actress of her heritage to take home the historic trophy.
© GettyImagesZoe Yadira Saldaña Perego was born on June 19th in New Jersey. She comes from a family of Dominican roots. When she was 9 years old, her life changed forever. Her dad died in a car crash, prompting Zoe, her mother, and her sisters to move to the Dominican Republic to spend time with their families.
In the midst of her grief, Zoe began facing many challenges in school, including an ADD diagnosis and dyslexia, making her schoolwork more difficult. She found refuge in the arts, which also became a source of solace, helping her cope with the loss of her father.
While in the Dominican Republic, Zoe studied ballet at a prestigious dance academy, returning to the US when she was 17 years old. There she began her career as an actress in various theater groups, including Faces and the New York Youth Theater.
"I learned in a very innocent, unconscious way when I was very young that I need to live in art, because I find peace. I can rest."
© Getty ImagesHer first TV appearance took place in 1999, in an episode of "Law & Order." She made her debut on the big screen the following year, in the cult film "Center Stage," where she played a ballerina. Soon, more roles continued to appear, including "Crossroads," "Drumline," and "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl."
In 2009, it all changed for her, landing two iconic parts in revered franchises: "Star Trek" and "Avatar." Her face is now one of the most memorable ones to ever be captured on camera, with her becoming a fixture in Hollywood blockbusters, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where she played Gamora, one of the members of the "Guardians of the Galaxy."
In 2018, Zoe was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Five years later, she was selected as one of Time's 100 most influential people.
2025 might have been Zoe's biggest year yet. She was the favorite to win the major acting awards for her work in "Emilia Perez," with her taking home the Golden Globe, the Critics' Choice Award, the BAFTA, and the SAG. It all led to her first Academy Award, where she shared a moving speech highlighting her immigrant roots.
"I'm the proud daughter of immigrant parents, with dreams, dignity, and hard-working hands. I'm the first American of Dominican origins to take an Academy Award, and I won't be the last."
© Getty ImagesWeeks after taking the Oscar, Zoe was honored in a ceremony in the Dominican Republic, receiving the Heraldic Cristobal Colon Order in the Comendador Grade by President Luis Abinader. In her speech, Zoe highlighted her experience with the country, including how it welcomed her following her father's tragic passing.
"I came here after a loss, in mourning, feeling deeply sad. Slowly, this country gave us the right and privilege to be with our families, allowing us to heal as we cooked and sang in the kitchen, as my family members told me stories about their childhoods on a rocking chair. There we were, healing. They were healing us," she shared.
As she continues her career in film, Saldana has also built a career on television, starring in the series "Lioness," where she plays a CIA agent struggling to find a balance between her personal and professional life. In 2013, Zoe married the Italian artist Marco Perego. They share three kids: Cy, Bowie, and Zen.
