Longoria received a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame in 2018. She has appeared in severaladvertising campaigns, including withL'Oréal,New York & Co,Pepsi, and launched her own fashion and perfumes brand in 2017. Her other business ventures include opening the restaurantBeso in 2008, investing in businesses and films such asJohn Wick (2014), and publishing a cookbook.
Longoria was born inCorpus Christi, Texas, on March 15, 1975,[3] the youngest of the four daughters of herTejano parents Ella Eva (née Mireles) and Enrique Longoria Jr.[4][5][6][7] One of her sisters has special needs. Longoria toldRedbook in 2016:
There was never any resentment, because I saw how hard my mother worked and all she did for my sister [with special needs], and I wanted to do whatever I could to help. We all did.[8]
She was raisedRoman Catholic.[9] She did not speak Spanish growing up, and did not learn the language until 2009.[10] While in high school, she worked at aWendy's restaurant part-time for three years, initially so she could raise funds for herquinceañera.[11][8] Longoria previously told the press how her years in fast food as a teen shaped her work ethic, saying "I couldn't wait to get to work and make my own money." Longoria earned her Bachelor of Science degree inkinesiology atTexas A&M University-Kingsville.[12][13] At that time (1998), she also won the title of Miss Corpus Christi USA.[14] After completing college, she entered a talent contest that led her to Los Angeles; and shortly thereafter, was spotted and signed by atheatrical agent.[15] While auditioning for roles, she worked as aheadhunter for four years.[16] Longoria has publicly creditedJennifer Lopez as being an inspiration to her early in her career. "Jennifer broke down so many doors so that we could walk through them," she told the magazinePeople. "And she kicked them down. They were not easy doors."[17] She also described Tejana legendSelena as being "my idol, my inspiration" and "the reason I even dared to dream that a better life was possible."[18]After three years atCalifornia State University, Northridge, she received her master's degree inChicano studies in May 2013. "This place was probably the place I grew most in my life… I was exhausted the whole time I was here," she laughs. "I did night school. I would finish filming [Desperate Housewives] and come here 7 to 10 at night, and then, go home and do it all again. Be on set at 5:00 a.m. It fills my heart with my Mexican pride."[19] Herthesis was "Success STEMS From Diversity: The Value of Latinas inSTEM Careers".[13][20]
In 2003, Longoria was cast asGabrielle Solis in theABC comedy-dramaDesperate Housewives. She later commented, "I think it's funny when people say I'm an overnight sensation, because I've been working at it for 10 years."[24]Shortly after her debut onDesperate Housewives, she starred in a direct-to-video film,Carlita's Secret, for which she was also co-producer.[25]
In the 2000s, Longoria appeared in several high-profileadvertising campaigns and numerousmen's magazines, reaching No. 14 in theFHM "Sexiest Women 2008" poll. She was also featured on the cover of various international women's magazines, includingVogue,Marie Claire andHarper's Bazaar.[28]People en Español listed her among its "Most Beautiful People" for 2003.[29] She continues to be included in lists of Hollywood's Most Beautiful. She was listed as No. 1 inMaxim's Hottest Female Stars of 2005 and 2006, the first woman to top the list in two consecutive years.[30] She was ranked No. 9 in the magazine's Hot 100 of 2007 list.[31] In honor of Maxim's 100th issue in 2006, she was featured on a 75-by-110-foot (23 by 34 m) vinyl mesh replica of its January 2005 cover located in aClark County, Nevada desert.[32] More recently, she was ranked No. 14 ofPeople's Most Beautiful 2011.[33]People named her one of 2012 Most Beautiful at Every Age.[34]
In January 2007, Longoria was chosen to be the first face ofBebe Sport.[35] She appeared in the Spring/Summer 2007 campaign, photographed by Greg Kadel.[36] She also holds contracts withL'Oréal, and New York & Co.[37] She also contracts withMagnum Ice-Cream[38] andHeineken.[39][40] She was a part of Microsoft's "I'm A PC" ad campaign.[41] She and Tony Parker have appeared together in campaigns forLondon Fog.[42] She became a spokesperson for L'Oréal Paris in 2005 and was still being featured in L'Oréal TV commercials and print ads as of 2016[update].[43]
Based on her earnings from June 1, 2009, to June 1, 2010, Longoria was ranked No. 4 onForbesPrime Time's 10 Top-Earning Women with an estimated $12 million.[47] She topped theForbes magazine's list of the highest-paid TV actresses for 2011.[48]
In 2013, Longoria professed that she was a "cat lady", and appeared as a spokesperson forSheba Cat Food.[49]
From 2013, she served as one of the executive producers ofDevious Maids and directed the season two premiere, "An Ideal Husband". In 2016, she also starred in the fourth season, in the episode "Once More Unto the Bleach". She is also an executive producer of the documentariesThe Harvest andFood Chains, for which she won aJames Beard Foundation Award.[50]
In 2017, Longoria directed the season three finale episode of theABC comedyBlack-ish.[53] The same year, she was attached to the pilot of a workplace comedy,Type-A.[54]
In August 2019, Longoria was announced as the director of thebiopicFlamin' Hot, her feature-length directorial debut.[56] The film was released in 2023, amid a controversy into the authenticity of the subject matter.[57][58]
In September 2020, UnbeliEVAble Entertainment renewed a three-year first-look deal with20th Television.[59]
In 2021, Longoria was working withKenya Barris to develop a possible new television seriesBrown-ish about aLatino family.[60]
In March 2008, Longoria opened the restaurantBeso (which means "kiss" in Spanish) in Hollywood, along with partner andcelebrity chefTodd English. The restaurant is located onHollywood Boulevard and is accompanied by Kiss, a Victorian-themednightclub on the floor above.[63] The Hollywood Beso was scheduled to be the focus of a pilot episode for a tentativereality series calledBeso: Waiting on Fame, to air onVH1 in late 2010.[64] In 2009, Longoria and various investor-partners opened a Beso restaurant, with a nightclub called Eve above it, in theCrystals retail and entertainment district ofCityCenter inLas Vegas.[63]
In 2011, the corporation Beso LLC, owner of the Vegas restaurant-and-nightclub venture, with listed assets of about $2.5 million and Longoria as a 32 percent shareholder, filed forChapter 11 protection, entering bankruptcy proceedings, in order to restructure nearly $5.7 million in debt and other liabilities.[65] On July 28, 2011, the U.S.Bankruptcy Court for Nevada ordered Longoria to appear in Las Vegas on August 20 in order to be examined about the bankrupt restaurant's finances.[66]
In terms of food-related promotions, in 2012 and 2013, Longoria paired withIron ChefMichael Symon for a promotion forPepsiCo'sLay's potato chips contest called "Do Us A Flavor". The promotion encourages consumers to submit new flavor ideas and fans to vote for their favorite onFacebook. The person who creates the winning flavor is awarded $1 million or one percent of chip flavor's net sales.[67]
After some of the funding failed to arrive a week before production of the 2014 filmJohn Wick was due to commence Longoria stepped in and provided $6 million.[68] She doubled her investment in 10 years and continues to receive financial returns from the success of the film though she has no financial interest in any of its sequels.[68]
In 2015, Longoria announced that she had teamed up withsportswear manufacturer Sunrise Brands to create a women's apparel collection, set to launch Fall 2016.[69][70][71][72]
In 2021, Mexican footballclub Necaxa welcomed a high-profile investment from NX Football USA, LLC, which acquired a 50% ownership stake in the club. Among the star-studded ownership group was Longoria, who became one of the most visible and influential figures in Necaxa’s new era. Longoria was joined by a diverse mix of investors, including former D.C. United MLS owners, executives from Swansea City A.F.C. (a Welsh club that competes in the English football league system), and fellow celebrities such as former German international footballerMesut Özil, retired NBA starShawn Marion, MLB pitcherJustin Verlander, and Verlander’s wife, model and actressKate Upton.[78][79]
In April 2024, Necaxa’s investment team—including Longoria—expanded their international presence by acquiring a 5% stake inWrexham AFC, the Welsh club famously revived by actorsRob McElhenney andRyan Reynolds. As part of the reciprocal partnership, McElhenney and Reynolds also became minority stakeholders in Necaxa, marking a rare and high-profile transatlantic collaboration in global football.[80]
In 2006, Longoria founded Eva's Heroes, a charity which helps young adults withdevelopmental disabilities. Based inSan Antonio, Texas, it was inspired by her sister, who has intellectual disabilities.[81]
Her other charity, the Eva Longoria Foundation, aims to close the education gap plaguing Latinas[88] and to confront Latino poverty.[89] She started: "The Eva Longoria Foundation supports programs which help Latinas excel in school and attend college. Additionally, we work to provide Latina entrepreneurs with career training, mentorship, capital and opportunity."[90] The foundation offers nine-week "parent engagement" courses to help Latino parents; has a mentorship program and other activities for Latinas;[91] and provides loans to Latina-owned businesses.[92] It is co-funded by philanthropistHoward Buffett,[93] son of investorWarren Buffett.
Longoria was named Philanthropist of the Year in 2009 byThe Hollywood Reporter for her commitment to Latino causes and giving back to the community.[94] She appeared onFort Boyard in 2009, helping attract more than €20,000 for theMake-A-Wish Foundation.[95]
In 2009, Longoria enrolled in a Master's program in Chicano studies andpolitical science atCal State University, Northridge. She said, "Because of my involvement with theNCLR and my charity work, I really wanted a better, more authentic understanding of what my community has gone through so I [could] help create change."[96] She graduated with a master's degree in Chicano studies in May 2013.[97][98]
In September 2009, Longoria was appointed to a bipartisan commission to establish aNational Museum of the American Latino.[99] In October 2012, she spoke at the McAfee Focus 2012 event, where the "theme of safety—beyond computers—emerged. Safety involving financial security, emotional security, and the other results from Longoria's philanthropic efforts."[100]
In March 2017, UK-based company Richtopia included Longoria at No. 42 on its list of 200 Most Influential Philanthropists and Social Entrepreneurs Worldwide.[101][102]
In July 2019, Longoria supported theSpecial Olympics Texas Summer Games hosted byToyota Field andMorgan's Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas.[103] In 2020 she assisted the San Antonio Food Bank with their COVID-relief efforts.[104]
Combining her education advocacy with business in collaboration with Mott's Fruit Flavored Snacks, Longoria began promoting Mott's Snacks and Stories program which gives away bilingual children's books. "When you look at the statistics, 45% of children in the U.S. are living in book deserts with limited access to books," she stated on the subject.[105]
Longoria has a keen interest inimmigration. She accompanied aborderpatrol in Arizona and has immersed herself in the issues to understand the Mexican and the U.S. points of view.[108] She has described Arizona'sSB 1070 immigration law asunconstitutional.[109]
In preparation of Georgia's runoff elections, on January 2, 2021, Longoria participated in aVoteRiders textbanking event withAmerica Ferrera to help educate Latina voters regarding the state's voter ID laws.[120] Longoria was touted byTexas Monthly as a potential topDemocratic contender in the2024 United States Senate election in Texas, citing her past refusal to rule out a run for office in the future.[121]
Longoria metTony Parker, then thepoint guard for theSan Antonio Spurs, in November 2004. On November 30, 2006, they became engaged,[125] and married in a civil service on July 6, 2007, at a Paris city hall. They had a Catholic wedding ceremony at theSaint-Germain l'Auxerrois Church in Paris on July 7, 2007.[126]
In 2010, Longoria told her friendMario Lopez that she had discovered hundreds of text messages from another woman on her husband's phone.[127]Extra identified the other woman as Erin Barry, then-wife ofBrent Barry, Parker's former teammate, and revealed that the Barrys were also divorcing.[128] On November 17, 2010, Longoria filed for divorce from Parker in Los Angeles, citing "irreconcilable differences".[129] In light of her divorce, she canceled her scheduled appearance at the 2010American Music Awards.[127] In her divorce petition, Longoria requested that her family name be restored, and soughtspousal support from Parker.[130] The couple had aprenuptial agreement signed in June 2007, a month before their wedding, and amended two years later in June 2009.[131]
Two days later on November 19, Parker filed for divorce from Longoria inBexar County, Texas,[132] on the grounds of "discord or conflict of personalities", establishing a legal battle over where the case would be heard. Unlike Longoria's divorce petition, Parker's did not mention a prenuptial agreement and claimed that the parties would "enter into an agreement for the division of their estate".[133] The divorce was finalized in Texas on January 28, 2011, the same day Longoria's lawyer filed papers to dismiss her Los Angeles petition. Longoria later said, "I didn't realize it at the time with Tony, but I had become my own version of a desperate housewife."[134]
On December 13, 2015, Longoria reported her engagement to Mexican businessman José Antonio "Pepe" Bastón Patiño,[135] then the president ofTelevisa, the largest media company in Latin America.[136][137] They met on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend inMexico City; at the time, Bastón did not know who Longoria was, and initially declined the invitation to meet her because of his busy schedule.[138] They were married in Mexico on May 21, 2016.[139][140]
On December 19, 2017, it was reported that Longoria was pregnant with her first child.[141] She gave birth to a son in 2018.[142][143][144]
In November 2024, she revealed that she moved out of the United States with her family and they split their time betweenMexico andSpain.[145]
In 1767, her seventh great-grandfather received almost 4,000 acres (16 km2) of land along theRio Grande in a land grant from KingCharles III of Spain. The family retained this land for more than a century. After the US-Mexican border was moved southwards in the aftermath of theMexican–American War, the land ended up on the American side of the border. Her family had to deal with the influx of United States settlers following the Mexican–American War and theAmerican Civil War.[146]
According toDNA testing, Longoria's overall genetic ancestry is 70% European, 27%Indigenous American, and 3%African.[147] A computer analysis of the DNA results of Gates's dozen guests showed that Longoria has the same genetichaplogroup as cellistYo-Yo Ma, who is of Chinese heritage.[147] As women have two X chromosomes and no Y chromosome, Longoria did not inherit her father'sY-DNA, but she did inherit her mother'smitochondrial DNA (genetic information passed from mother to child). Longoria's mtDNA belongs to theHaplogroup A2, making her a direct descendant of a Native American woman, aMayan from the territory of Mexico long before it was Mexico. Her ancestors include many other Maya on both sides of her family.[148][149]
Longoria identifies as a "Texican"—a Mexican-American Texan.[148]
In 2010, Longoria appeared on an episode of Dr. Henry Louis Gates genealogy series “Faces of America” where she discovered she’s related to famous actressMeryl Streep.
^The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, February 16, 2016. "I'm ninth generation American... My family lived under five different flags without ever moving. We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us."
^Terrero, Nina (March 8, 2013)."Eva Longoria Admits She's a Cat Lady".NBC Latino. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. RetrievedMarch 18, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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