Behind every strong woman is often a strong mother. In the case of Hollywood star Zoe Saldaña, that woman is Asalia Nazario — her brave and loving mom.
Asalia isn’t a celebrity, but her story is full of strength, love, and sacrifice. She raised three daughters through hard times, worked day and night, and gave them a better life.
Today, we’ll take a closer look at Asalia Nazario’s life, her journey as a mother, and how she helped Zoe become the star we all know. This is a story of quiet strength — and it’s one you’ll never forget.
Asalia Nazario Profile Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Asalia Nazario |
| Known For | Mother of actress Zoe Saldaña |
| Ethnicity | Dominican |
| Nationality | American (became a citizen in childhood) |
| Birthplace | Dominican Republic |
| Moved to U.S. | 1961, at age 10 |
| Main Residence | Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC |
| Spouse (First) | Aridio Saldaña (deceased, 1988) |
| Children | Zoe, Cisely, and Mariel Saldaña |
| Jobs Worked | Hotel maid, courtroom translator |
| Known Traits | Hardworking, quiet, loving, resilient |
| Remarried | Dagoberto Galan |
| Public Appearances | Rare, usually with daughters |
| Social Media | Has Instagram (2K+ followers) |
Who Is Asalia Nazario?
Asalia Nazario is the proud mother of Zoe Saldaña, one of the most famous actresses in Hollywood. You may know Zoe from Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Star Trek — but not many people know about her mother’s story.
Asalia has lived most of her life away from the spotlight. She doesn’t do interviews or walk red carpets. But her role in Zoe’s life is big. She’s the one who helped shape Zoe’s future, even through deep struggles.
She’s also the mother of two other daughters, Cisely and Mariel. All three daughters love their mom deeply and often share kind words about her. Asalia’s story is full of quiet power and love.
Asalia Nazario’s Early Life
Asalia Nazario was born in the Dominican Republic. She moved to the United States in 1961 when she was just 10 years old. She came with her mother to start a new life in a new country.
She became a U.S. citizen at a young age and started building her future in America. Life wasn’t easy, but she stayed strong. These early years helped her grow into a woman full of courage.
Living in two cultures shaped Asalia’s values. She held on to her Dominican roots, but also adapted to life in the U.S. This mix of cultures later helped her raise her daughters with pride in who they are.
Asalia Nazario’s Life in New York City
Asalia spent most of her life in New York City, especially in Jackson Heights, Queens. It’s a busy, colorful place full of people from many countries. That’s where she built her home and raised her kids.
Zoe once said that her mom came from a family of strong women — and it’s easy to see why. Asalia worked hard every single day. She didn’t have much, but she gave everything for her girls.
She worked long hours at different jobs, including as a hotel maid and a courtroom translator. She did whatever it took to support her family. Her hard work helped her daughters grow up safe and strong.
Asalia Nazario’s Marriage to Aridio Saldaña
Asalia later married Aridio Saldaña, a kind man from the Dominican Republic. Together, they had three daughters — Zoe, Cisely, and Mariel. They created a loving home and shared happy times as a family.
They raised their girls with strong values. The family loved watching movies together, especially sci-fi shows like Star Trek and 2001: A Space Odyssey. These fun movie nights made a big impact on young Zoe.
Their home was full of love, learning, and laughter. But sadly, everything changed when tragedy hit the family. It was a moment that would change Asalia’s life forever.
Asalia Nazario’s Lost Husband
In 1988, something heartbreaking happened. Asalia’s husband, Aridio, died in a car accident. Zoe was only 9 years old at the time. The family was left shocked and broken.
Losing her husband was a deep pain for Asalia. She stopped dressing up, stopped smiling, and barely got out of bed. Her daughters noticed the change. The happy mom they once knew was now filled with sadness.
But even in her grief, Asalia found strength. She made the hard choice to send her daughters to live with their dad’s family in the Dominican Republic — so they could be cared for while she worked in New York.
She stayed in NYC and worked day and night to earn money. She wanted her girls to go to good schools and have a better life. Her pain didn’t stop her — she kept going for her daughters.
Asalia’s Daughters
Asalia Nazario is a proud mother of three daughters — Zoe Saldaña, Cisely, and Mariel. Even after going through hard times, she made sure her girls stayed close and strong together.
While living in the Dominican Republic, the girls had to follow strict rules at school. They weren’t allowed to speak English there. But this helped them learn Spanish better and stay connected to their roots.
Zoe and her sisters also started learning ballet and dance. These skills helped Zoe build confidence. She later said that dance and theater gave her a new path in life. That path led her toward acting.
When Zoe came back to New York as a teenager, she joined theater programs. She said her teachers and mentors helped guide her. But most of all, her mother gave her the strength to keep going.
Zoe has called her mother her “hero” in interviews. She has praised Asalia for always pushing forward, even when life was hard. That bond between mother and daughter is still very strong today.
Asalia’s Remarrying Dagoberto Galan
Later in life, Asalia Nazario found love again. She married a kind man named Dagoberto Galan. He became the stepfather to her daughters and played a very caring role in their lives.
Dagoberto often goes with the family to events and award shows. He’s not just a stepdad — he’s part of their family’s heart. Zoe and her sisters have said they respect and love him deeply.
He is also active on Instagram. He shares photos about family, work, and everyday life. His posts show how close the family is, and how much he enjoys being a part of their world.
Together, Asalia and Dagoberto built a strong home full of love and support. Even though Asalia faced deep loss before, she found a second chance at happiness — and she took it with grace.
Final Thoughts
Asalia Nazario may not be famous, but her story is full of strength, love, and bravery. She lost her husband, raised three daughters on her own, and never gave up — no matter how hard things got.
She worked quietly, made sacrifices, and built a better future for her girls. Thanks to her, Zoe Saldaña had the support she needed to become the star she is today.
This is not just a story about a mother. It’s about a woman who chose love over comfort, strength over sadness, and family over everything. Asalia Nazario’s life reminds us that even quiet heroes leave a powerful mark.
If you know Zoe Saldaña, now you also know the brave woman behind her success — Asalia Nazario.
(FAQs)
Was Asalia Nazario ever an actress like her daughter Zoe Saldaña?
No, Asalia Nazario never worked in acting. She stayed away from fame and focused on raising her family.
Did Asalia Nazario mistake her daughter for another actress?
Yes! She once confused Zoe for Thandiwe Newton after watching Westworld, thinking it was Zoe on the screen.
What happened to Asalia Nazario’s husband?
Her husband, Aridio Saldaña, died in a car accident in 1988. Zoe was just 9 years old at the time.
Did Asalia raise her daughters alone after losing her husband?
Yes, she raised them alone while working multiple jobs and even sent them to the Dominican Republic for a safer upbringing during that time.
Is Asalia Nazario rich or famous today?
No, she is not rich or famous. Despite Zoe’s success, Asalia lives a quiet and private life.
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