Salma Hayek Explains She's No Trophy Wife In Redbook's Cover Story

Salma Hayek made it plain in the November issue of Redbook, that she’s not trading in her independence just because her husband is..well..a billionaire.

The Oscar nominated actress revealed that although she loves the fact that she doesn’t have to depend on anyone financially, it’s still nice to know she has help when needed.

“I work hard, I make my own living and I love it. I like having financial independence. I don’t ever want to have to depend on anyone completely. But when I have troubles sometimes, it’s nice to have someone there to help.”

Hayek’s husband is French billionaire François-Henri Pinault, the CEO of the luxury goods firm PPR (which owns Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent). And although she admits she and Francois are both into dressing each other up, she made sure to mention she’s no ones trophy doll.

“I like to play fashion with him, but I’m nobody’s Barbie.”

There’s no question that Hayek’s four year old daughter Valentina Paloma has had an immense influence on her life. Selma mentioned that she chose to star in the animated feature Puss in Boots because she wanted to make a movie her daughter could also enjoy. However Salma explained that although her demeanor is occasionally motherly, it has not affected her ability to play more sinister roles.

“I’m playing the queen of a drug cartel in an Oliver Stone film,” says Hayek. “He asked if I’d gone ‘all soft’ because I’m a mother. I said, ‘Yes, but I can be the devil if I need to, because after all, I’m an actress.’ ”

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