Famous Mexican Women

Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo, was known for her many portraits and self-portraits. Her work is said to have been inspired by the nature, artifacts and popular culture of Mexico. Her work was not much known until the late 1970s, when it was rediscovered by art historians and political activists. By early 1990s, she became a recognized figure in art history.

Hailing from Mexico, Salma Hayek moved to Hollywood and attained fame with films like Desperado, From Dusk till Dawn, Wild Wild West, Dogma, Tale of Tales, Grown Ups, and Grown Ups 2. Her breakthrough role was the film Frida in 2002 for which she received critical appreciation. She works to raise awareness about violence against women and discrimination against immigrants.

Lupita Nyong'o is one of the most popular black actresses of all time. The first Kenyan-Mexican actress to receive the prestigious Academy Award, Lupita Nyong'o has often been named in lists, such as the world's most beautiful woman. In 2020, she was named by Forbes magazine as one of Africa's 50 Most Powerful Women.

Mexican singer-actor Anahi began her entertainment career with the show Chiquilladas as a toddler. She later soared to fame as Mia Colucci from the popular telenovela Rebelde and was also part of the hit pop group RBD. She is best known for her Billboard-topping track Rumba.

Mexican American actor, singer, and songwriter Sara Ramirez is the recipient of several awards, including a Tony Award. Born in Mexico, they moved to America as a child. They became interested in acting in their teens and acted in school plays before taking up roles in theater plays. Soon, they ventured into TV and films as well.

Kate del Castillo is a Mexican-American actress. One of the most popular actresses in the world of telenovela, del Castillo was named in People en Español magazine's Stars of the Year list in 2007. Also a humanitarian, Kate del Castillo helped launch an international anti-trafficking program called the Blue Heart Campaign to fight human trafficking.

Karla Souza is a Mexican-American actress best known for her portrayal of Laurel Castillo in the popular legal thriller television series, How to Get Away with Murder. An acclaimed and prominent actress in the Mexican film industry, Karla Souza is the recipient of the Premios Luminus, ACE Award, and Pantalla de Cristal Film Festival Award.

Emma Coronel Aispuro is a former teenage beauty queen who took part in the Coffee and Guava Festival beauty pageant in 2007. She started hogging the limelight when it was reported that she had married Joaquín Archivaldo Guzmán Loera, popularly known as El Chapo, who was once regarded as one of the world's most powerful drug trafficker.

Laura Harring is a Mexican-American actress best known for playing Camilla and Rita Rhodes in the neo-noir mystery film Mulholland Drive, for which she won an ALMA Award. Before establishing herself as an actress, Laura Harring achieved popularity by entering beauty pageants; in 1985, she was crowned Miss USA, becoming the first Hispanic woman to win the title.

Columba Bush is a Mexican-American philanthropist who came to limelight after marrying American politician Jeb Bush. From 1999 to 2007, she served as First Lady of Florida and used her platform to deal with issues, such as substance abuse and domestic violence. She has also been active in advocating the artworks of artists like Salvador Dalí and Frida Kahlo.

Mexican actor Yalitza Aparicio is best known for her Academy Award-nominated debut performance as Cleo in the film Roma. Though initially aspiring to be a school teacher, she later switched to acting. She is also a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and has graced the cover of Vogue México.

Kimberly Loaiza is a Mexican singer, social media influencer, and YouTuber. Her self-titled YouTube channel, where she posts a variety of interesting videos, currently has more than 30 million subscribers. Loaiza, who is also popular on the video-sharing social networking service TikTok, is currently the 16th most-followed TikToker in the world.

Mexican singer-songwriter and actress Belinda Peregrín, tagged as "Princess of Latin Pop" by international press is best known for her commercially hit studio albums like Belinda and Utopía and singles like Vivir, which made her the third best-selling female Mexican act. She also had screen success with films like The Cheetah Girls 2 and Mexican telenovelas like Amigos x siempre.   

Mexican nun Juana Inés de la Cruz was one of the finest authors of the Latin American colonial era. Initially the lady-in-waiting of Mexico’s viceroy, she later took her vows. She built a huge library and penned masterpieces such as the poem Primero sueño and the religious drama El divino Narciso.

Sexy Star is the ring name of popular Mexican masked female professional wrestler Dulce Maria García Rivas. Apart from being a professional wrestler, García is also a professional boxer and mixed martial artist. García is best known for her association with Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, where she has won several championship titles, such as AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship.

Mexican singer Margo Rey was born to a Flamenco dancer mother. She ventured into music at 11 and never looked back, tasting success with her rare blend of jazz and pop, which she calls “Organica.” She is a breast cancer survivor and is married to comedian Ron White.

Carlota of Mexico served as the Empress consort of Mexico from 10 April 1864 to 15 May 1867. Her husband Maximilian I of Mexico died at the age of 34 and their relationship has inspired many movies, plays, TV series, and novels.

Leonora Carrington was a Mexican artist, novelist, and surrealist painter. During the 1970s, Carrington played an important role in Mexico's women's liberation movement as she was one of the founding members of the movement. Carrington, who was fascinated by symbolism and myth, studied alchemy, Popol Vuh, post-classic Mayan mystical writings, and the kabbalah.

Vanessa Ponce is a Mexican beauty queen and model. In 2018, she became the first Mexican to be crowned Miss World and the oldest winner in the history of the competition thus far. Also known for her philanthropic efforts, Vanessa Ponce is currently working on a project called Na Vili, which aims at helping the children of Mexican day laborers.

Born to photographer parents, singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas was naturally included toward the arts and was trained in ballet, painting, and music in childhood. She later performed with bands such as Tijuana No! and also released solo hits such as Me Voy. The 6-time Latin Grammy winner is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Starting her entertainment career at age 5, Dulce María was seen in countless commercials before she began performing in music groups and telenovelas. She soared to fame as Roberta Alexandra from the popular series Rebelde. She also released hit singles such as No Sé Llorar and worked with PETA.

Best known as Alma Rey from the telenovela Rebelde, Mexican actor-singer Ninel Conde has appeared in numerous other telenovelas such as Mar de amor and En tierras salvajes. She is also known for her hit tracks such as Todo conmigo and has been a judge on the dance reality show Mira Quien Baila.