Eva Longoria Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Early Life

Eva Jacqueline Longoria was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on March 15, 1975. She is the youngest of four daughters in her family. Her family is Mexican-American, and Longoria was raised as Roman Catholic.

As a teenager, she worked part-time at Wendy’s restaurant. Later she went to study at Texas A&M University and received a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology. She competed and won the Miss Corpus Christi USA in 1998. After the win, she participated in another contest that led her to Los Angeles, where she was signed by a theatrical agent.

Rise To The Stardom

Longoria’s first TV role came in 1999. She met the executive producer Gary Ghiaey at a reception in Los Angeles. She was a guest star in Beverly Hills 90210. Her big break came in 2001 when she started to act in TV series The Young and The Restless. Eva Longoria played a role of Isabella Brana from 2001 till 2003. After leaving the show, she also participated in several minor projects.

In 2003, Longoria landed the role of Gabrielle Solis in ABC’s hit drama series Desperate Housewives. The show became a major sensation and ran for eight seasons. In 2006, she was nominated for Golden Globe.

Longoria’s most prominent movie role at the time was along with Michael Douglas and Kiefer Sutherland in the thriller The Sentinel.

Later Career

Eva Longoria has appeared in several major advertising campaigns. In 2008, she was named the FHM’s No.14 Sexiest women alive. Longoria was featured on covers of various international fashion magazines, like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and others. In 2007 she was chosen to become Bebe Sports face and appeared in the 2006/07 campaign. She also has contracts with L’oreal, Hanes, Magnum Ice-Cream and Heineken. In 2013 she appeared as the “Cat Lady” in Sheba commercial.

Other Ventures

Eva Longoria and celebrity chef Todd English owns a restaurant Beso in Hollywood. In 2009 she opened a second restaurant with a nightclub Eve in Las Vegas. The restaurant announced bankruptcy in 2011.

She launched her first book, Eva’s Kitchen in 2011. She also advocated for Lay’s potato chips campaign “Give us a Flavor” - an idea contest for new flavors, which awarded the winner $1 million. In 2016, in collaboration with Sunrise Brands, Longoria launched women’s apparel collection.

Personal Life

Eva Longoria’s first marriage was to actor Tyler Christopher, TV show’s General Hospital star. The couple was married from 2002 until 2004. In late 2004, Longoria met the Spurs point guard Tony Parker. In 2007, they had a church wedding in Paris. In 2010, Longoria discovered text messages to and from another woman. She filed for divorce in Los Angeles, and two days later, Parker filed for divorce in Texas. Their divorce was finalized in 2011.

In 2015, Longoria announced her engagement to businessman Jose Antonio Baston.

Longoria’s oldest identifiable ancestor is Lorenzo Suarez de Longoria - her 9th great-grandfather, who immigrated modern-day Mexico in 1603.

Activism

Eva Longoria has a keen interest in immigration politics. In 2012, she spoke at the Democratic National Convention to support Obama’s reelection. In 2014, she initiated the Latino Victory project - a fundraising project to raise funds for candidates.

In 2006, she founded a charity Eva’s Heroes to help developmentally disabled children. She is also a spokesperson for PADRES Contra El Cancer. Her other gift The Eva Longoria Foundation helps to support Latinas excel in school and attend college. In 2009 she was named the Philanthropist of the year.

In 2009, she enrolled at Cal State University, to study Master’s program in Chicano Studies and political science. Eva Longoria graduated with a Master’s degree in 2013.