Salma Hayek's engagement to billionaire called off just months after birth of first child
Actress Salma Hayek and billionaire Frenchman François-Henri Pinault announced they had called off their engagement - because of the 5,700 mile gulf between them.
The 41-year-old Ugly Betty star lived for most of the year in Los Angeles, with the couple’s 10-month-old daughter, Valentina Paloma.
Mr Pinault, meanwhile, lived some 5,700 miles away in Paris, France.
The wedding is off: Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault are no longer engaged
The 45-year-old Chief Executive Officer owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga, among numerous other luxury brands.
He is known for working regular 12 hour days, putting his all into his family businesses.
The couple met in Venice in May 2006, and, a year later, announced they were getting married and having a child together.
Valentina Paloma, Miss Hayek’s first child, was born last year in LA. She was a third child for Mr Pinault, who has two children from a marriage which ended in 2004.
Commenting on his latest split, a close friend of Mr Pinault said: 'Both François-Henri and Salma are heartbroken, but given the huge geographical distance between them, they just couldn’t make things work.
Going solo: Salma with the couple's 10 month old daughter Valentina in Los Angeles earlier this month
'Salma had to be in Hollywood to pursue her career, while François-Henri’s life is in France. There was just nothing they could do about this.
'Both were exhausted by long flights, and keeping in touch by telephone and email just wasn’t enough. They would have weekends together 'half way' in New York, but the situation got ridiculous.
'They just couldn’t make things work, and have gone their separate ways. Family and friends were all looking forward to a lavish wedding. Everybody is naturally hugely upset.'
Miss Hayek admitted in April that the couple’s constant commuting between LA and Paris was odd, saying: 'To most women it's crazy. But every relationship is unique.'
One of the couple’s last public engagements was in February, when they attended a New York gala celebrating the launch of the flagship Gucci boutique and raising money for Madonna's Raising Malawi foundation.
There were warning signs about the split in April when the Desperado actress was asked about a wedding date.
She said: 'Do I think we are going to get married? Probably. Will it make a difference? I hope not.'
Despite not being officially married, Miss Hayek is now expected to benefit from a multi-million pounds settlement from Mr Pinault.
A representative for the couple said yesterday: 'We are sad to announce the engagement of Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault has been cancelled. There will be no further comment.'
