Zoe Saldaña’s journey to becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars started with both love and loss. Born in New Jersey in 1978 to a Puerto Rican mother and Dominican father, Zoe grew up in a bilingual household full of energy, education, and pride in her Afro-Latina roots.

But when Zoe was just 9 years old, her father, Aridio, died in a car accident. Her family’s world shifted. With grief heavy on their shoulders, Zoe’s mother, Asalia, made the difficult choice to send Zoe and her sisters to live with relatives in the Dominican Republic. She stayed behind in New York to work long hours and provide for her daughters.

For Zoe, those years were filled with both challenges and growth. The new environment brought changes in culture, food, and community. “Everything was always new and changing,” she recalled. It wasn’t easy, but Zoe and her sisters leaned on each other and their extended family for strength.

The Power of Family

Even through hardships, Zoe has always credited her family with shaping her into the person she is today. “I had what others may not have had: I have been exceptionally loved by imperfect people,” she shared. Her sisters, Mariel and Cisely, remain close and even partnered with Zoe to launch Cinestar Pictures, a production company dedicated to telling women’s stories.

Zoe has also been outspoken about the strength of her mother. “As a parent, she put us first,” Zoe said. “She had to become those two anchors in our lives.” Her mom’s sacrifices inspired Zoe to never give up on her own dreams.

Finding Art and Her Voice

While living in the Dominican Republic, Zoe began studying dance. Ballet gave her focus, structure, and a creative outlet. Those lessons carried her into her first big role as a dancer in Center Stage. From there, Zoe’s career took off.

She went on to star in Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Trek, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Avatar. In 2025, Zoe won her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Emilia Pérez. On stage, she proudly waved to her mother and shared:
“I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hardworking hands, and I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award—and I know I will not be the last.”

Carrying Legacy Forward

Though her dad passed away when she was young, Zoe continues to honor him. She even gave one of her twin sons the middle name “Aridio” after her father. Family, for Zoe, has always been the center of her story.