FYI Magazine
Influential people of Hispanic descent
- Created on Friday, 23 September 2016 00:26
- Published on Friday, 23 September 2016 00:26
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Hispanics are not only the largest ethnic minority in the United States, but they also are one of the fastest-growing. Currently more than 52 million Americans identify as Hispanic, and by 2050, the Hispanic population is expected to make up 30 percent of the U.S. population at that time, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
It should come as no surprise that Hispanics are influential both in the United States and around the world. Hispanic performers are known in the world of music, theater and professional sports, and many are among the most influential and highest paid people in the world.
Forbes routinely ranks the world's most well-compensated entertainers, and these lists continue to include more and more individuals of Hispanic descent. The following are just a few of the influential and well-paid Hispanic personalities making an impact in the world today.
- Cristiano Ronaldo: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro is a professional footballer who plays for the Spanish club Real Madrid and the Portuguese national team. Ronaldo has many awards under his belt and often is ranked as the best player in the world. Some rate him as being the all-time greatest in the sport. His exploits have helped the three-time FIFA player of the year take home $79.5 million in the last year.
- Sofia Vergara: Thanks to her success on the long-running television show "Modern Family," as well as her clothing line for Kmart and lucrative endorsement deals, Vergara is once again the highest-paid television actress. At age 42, she grabbed the top spot for the third year in a row, earning $37 million. The actress is more than just a pretty face from Colombia, as she's also proven her business acumen. Vergara is the cofounder of Latin World Entertainment, a multimillion dollar empire.
- Alex Rodriguez: Often referred to as "A-Rod," Rodriguez is an American professional baseball player for the New York Yankees. He is a 14-time All-Star and has won three American League Most Valuable Player Awards in his career. Rodriguez comes from a Dominican family and is ranked among Forbes' 100 highest-paid athletes.
- Jennifer Lopez: Omnipresent and multitalented Lopez continues to be one of the most influential Latino celebrities in the world. Musician, designer, singer, and television personality are just a few of the hats worn by Lopez. Born to Puerto Rican parents, Lopez's resume includes stints as a judge on "American Idol" and Univision's "Q'Viva: The Chosen."
- Cameron Diaz: The actress continues to prove herself as a powerful box-office draw. Her recent movie, "The Other Woman," drew $40 million domestically and another $190 million at the global box office. Diaz has worked in Hollywood since her 1994 debut in "The Mask." In 2013, she was named the highest-paid actress over 40. Diaz can trace her Hispanic ethnicity to her father's Cuban roots.
- Gisele Bundchen: Bundchen is the highest-paid model in fashion, continually out-earning younger models. She has lucrative beauty and fragrance deals and can be seen walking the runway on high fashion campaigns. Bundchen also is an actress and producer, as well as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme. Bundchen is a Brazilian of German descent. Her native language is Portuguese, but she also speaks Spanish, English and Italian.