Zoe Saldaña Biography: Age, Net Worth, Husband, Kids, Movies, TV Shows, Awards, Family

Age, Parents, Ethnicity, & Nationality

Zoe Saldaña was born on June 19, 1978, in Passaic, New Jersey. She is 46 years old as of 2025. Her father, Aridio Saldaña, was Dominican, and her mother, Asalia Nazario, is of both Dominican and Puerto Rican descent. Zoe has often identified as being approximately three-quarters Dominican and one-quarter Puerto Rican, proudly embracing her Afro-Latina identity.

She was raised bilingual in a multicultural household and is fluent in both English and Spanish. Zoe holds American nationality and has long been a vocal advocate for Latino visibility and representation in Hollywood.

Early Life & Education

Zoe spent the early years of her childhood in Queens, New York, where she was raised alongside her two sisters, Cisely and Mariel. When she was nine years old, her father died in a tragic car accident. Shortly afterward, her mother moved the family to the Dominican Republic to live with relatives. It was during this time that Zoe discovered her love for dance, particularly ballet, which she studied rigorously at ECOS Espacio de Danza Academy in Santo Domingo.

She returned to New York City as a teenager and attended Newtown High School in Queens. Her artistic journey continued with performances at the Faces theater troupe and the New York Youth Theatre, where she took on roles in musicals and dramatic productions. Her combined experience in dance and acting paved the way for her debut in the entertainment industry.

Career

Early Roles and Breakthrough (1999–2008)

Zoe made her on-screen debut in 1999 with a guest appearance on Law & Order. Her breakout role came a year later in the 2000 dance drama Center Stage, where she played Eva Rodriguez, a fiery ballet dancer. That performance quickly caught the attention of casting agents, and Zoe was soon landing roles in major films such as Crossroads (2002), Drumline (2002), and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), where she portrayed Anamaria, a fierce female pirate.

Throughout the early 2000s, she continued to diversify her filmography with appearances in The Terminal (2004), Guess Who (2005), and Vantage Point (2008). Her performances steadily built her reputation as a versatile and committed actress.

Rise to Stardom: Star Trek, Avatar, & MCU (2009–2019)

Zoe’s career catapulted to international fame in 2009 when she took on two major roles in two of the biggest franchises of the decade. She was cast as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in J.J. Abrams’ reboot of Star Trek, bringing new depth to the iconic character. That same year, she played Neytiri, a Na’vi warrior, in James Cameron’s Avatar. The film went on to become the highest-grossing movie of all time, grossing over $2.7 billion worldwide.

Her success continued in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where she portrayed Gamora, a complex anti-hero in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Guardians Vol. 2 (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Guardians Vol. 3 (2023). These roles not only elevated her star power but also solidified her place in cinematic history as one of the highest-grossing actresses ever.

Maturity and Acclaim: Emilia Pérez & Beyond (2020–2025)

In the 2020s, Zoe shifted towards more mature and emotionally layered roles. She voiced animated characters in Netflix projects like Maya and the Three and Vivo, starred in The Adam Project (2022), and reprised her role as Neytiri in Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), which continued the success of the original.

In 2023, she took on the lead role in Lioness, a Paramount+ spy thriller, playing CIA operative Joe McNamara. But it was her 2024 performance in Emilia Pérez that changed everything. Portraying Rita Mora Castro, a lawyer entangled in the transformation of a Mexican cartel boss, Zoe delivered a performance that critics hailed as “raw, transformative, and profound.” Her role earned her a clean sweep of the major awards in 2025: Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, SAG, and Critics’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress.

This landmark achievement made her the first Dominican-American actress to ever win an Oscar. She used her platform to pay tribute to her heritage, her family, and the marginalized voices she strives to represent.

Movies & TV Shows

Selected Films

• Center Stage (2000)

• Crossroads (2002)

• Drumline (2002)

• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

• The Terminal (2004)

• Star Trek series (2009, 2013, 2016)

• Avatar series (2009, 2022, upcoming sequels)

• Guardians of the Galaxy series (2014–2023)

• Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

• Avengers: Endgame (2019)

• Emilia Pérez (2024)

• Elio (2025, voice role)

Television

• Law & Order (1999)

• Six Degrees (2006–2007)

• Rosemary’s Baby (2014 miniseries)

• From Scratch (2022)

• Lioness (2023–present)

Awards & Recognition

Zoe has won numerous awards and honors over the years. Her most notable achievement is her 2025 Academy Award win for Best Supporting Actress in Emilia Pérez. She also received the Golden Globe, BAFTA, SAG Award, and Critics’ Choice Award for the same role.

Other recognitions include a Saturn Award for her performance in Avatar, multiple ALMA Awards, BET Awards, and Teen Choice Awards, and ensemble nominations for her work in Marvel and Star Trek films.

Net Worth

As of 2025, Zoe Saldaña’s estimated net worth ranges between $50 million and $60 million. Her income stems from her film and TV roles, producer credits, brand endorsements, and long-standing collaborations with studios like Disney, Paramount, and Netflix. She is considered one of the most financially successful actresses in modern Hollywood.

Husband and Children

Zoe married Italian artist Marco Perego in 2013. In a rare reversal of tradition, Marco took her last name, becoming Marco Perego-Saldaña. Zoe legally changed her name as well to Zoe Saldaña-Perego, and the couple has often spoken about gender equality in marriage.

They have three children together: twin boys Cy Aridio and Bowie Ezio, born in January 2015, and their youngest son, Zen Anton, born in February 2017. The family lives a relatively private life, though Zoe occasionally shares glimpses of their home life and vacations on social media.

Personal Life & Advocacy

Zoe has been open about her diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder. She follows a strict gluten- and dairy-free diet to manage her symptoms. She has also spoken about how the condition runs in her family and stresses the importance of early diagnosis and dietary awareness.

Zoe is also an activist. She co-founded BESE, a digital platform focused on representing Latino voices in mainstream media. She supports environmental sustainability, microfinance through FINCA International, and civic engagement, including campaigns to raise voter awareness. In 2023, she was one of many celebrities who signed an open letter advocating for peace and coexistence between Israel and Palestine.