Top 10 Facts About Elena Anaya

Photo by MiamiFilmFestival. Wikimedia Commons.

Top 10 Facts About Elena Anaya

Elena Anaya is a talented Spanish actress who has made a name for herself in the film industry with her captivating performances and stunning beauty. From her breakout role in “Sex and Lucia” to her critically acclaimed performance in “The Skin I Live In,” Anaya has captured audiences with her range and depth as an actress.

In addition to her impressive acting career, she is also an advocate for animal rights and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. In this article, we will explore the life and career of Elena Anaya, highlighting her accomplishments, personal life, and impact on the entertainment industry

1. Elena Anaya is a Spanish actress

Photo by Donostia Kultura. Wikimedia Commons.

She was born on July 17, 1975, in Palencia, Spain. Her mother, Elena (Nena), is a housewife who later owned a boarding house in Palencia. On the other hand her father Juan José Anaya Gómez, was an industrial engineer. Elena has two siblings of which she’s the youngest.

2. Anaya started her acting career in the early 1990s

She has since appeared in over 50 films and television series. Anaya moved to Cádiz to train as an actress. It is when she was here that she landed roles in África and Familia. This was in 1995 and 1996. In 1997 she acted as Susy in Grandes ocasiones. She has continued the onward trajectory in acting to great miles.

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3. She is best known for her roles in the films “Sex and Lucia”

Her best-known Hollywood film role was as Aleera, one of Dracula’s brides in 2004’s Van Helsing. That same year, Anaya was named as one of European films’ Shooting Stars by European Film Promotion. She is also widely known for her acting roles in “Talk to Her,” and “The Skin I Live In”

4. Anaya has won several awards for her acting

Photo by Antonio Nava. Wikimedia Commons.

One of these is a Goya Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “La piel que habito” (The Skin I Live In). She first received international attention in 2001 for her role in the sexually explicit drama Sex and Lucía. Anaya is so great at acting to the extent that she has received numerous awards.

5. In addition to her acting career, Anaya is also a model

She has appeared in campaigns for companies such as Chanel and Mango. She stands out as a beautiful woman which has made her a model. Chanel and Mango are great clothe lines which sell all over the world. Anaya is one of the models who are engaged in marketing for them.

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6. She is fluent in both Spanish and English

Photo by Antonio Nava. Wikimedia Commons.

This has influenced into gaining international recognition. After  some “quiet” years playing supporting roles in international films such as Savage Grace and Cairo Time, Anaya roared back into prominence with a starring role in 2010’s Room in Rome, and then a return to Almodóvar in The Skin I Live In. She was also featured as Doctor Poison in Wonder Woman.

7. Anaya has an estimated net worth of 14 million dollars

Anaya has an estimated net worth of $14 million, her first popular movie Sex and Lucia earned $7.6 million at the Box Office in 2001. The next year, she was a part of the Spanish film, Talk to Her which collected $51million worldwide.

She as well got featured in the American rom-com film In the Land of Women which earned $17.6 million worldwide. In 2017, she was a part of the hit film Wonder Woman which collected $821.9 million at the Box Office.

8. She is an advocate for animal rights

Photo by Andrew S. Unsplash.

Anaya has been involved with several organizations that promote animal welfare. Apart from this, Elena began her collaboration with UNHCR supporting fundraising and awareness-raising campaigns.

In 2012 she travelled to the Dollo Ado and Assosa settlements in Ethiopia – together with Spanish scriptwriter and film director Fernando León de Aranoa – where they met with Somalian and Sudanese refugees.

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9. Anaya is openly bisexual

She has spoken publicly about her experiences as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Spanish actress, Elena played Alba in the lesbian movie ‘Room in Rome’. She has dated director Beatriz Sanchís for a few years. She is now in a relationship with costume designer,  Tina Afugu Cordero, and she gave birth to their first child in early 2017.

10. She is currently married to Italian musician Tina Afugu Cordero

Photo by Jakob Owens. Unsplash.

The lovebirds met while filming the movie “Savage Grace” in 2007. Anaya announced in November 2016 that she was expecting her first child with her partner, costume designer Tina Afugu Cordero. Anaya gave birth to their son in February 2017.

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