Salma Hayek Says She Is Taking Directing One Film at a Time

Hayek, who turned 60 on September 2, said she marked her birthday with friends and family and felt grateful for her health and dreams. She described herself as “very optimistic” about turning 60, saying the milestone had seemed frightening in her 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, but no longer does.

Weeks before her birthday, her stepson François Pinault Jr. and his wife, Lara Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck, welcomed a son. The baby is named François after his father and grandfather; Hayek said in a social media post that she plans to call him Panchito.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Hayek said she still has the support of family and friends, as well as “health and energy and dreams.” Asked what she wants to achieve, she pointed to directing her first film. She gave no further details about future directing plans, saying she wants to focus on the present.

“Arena” marks a new role in a career that began with the Mexican telenovela “Teresa” in 1989. Hayek later moved to Los Angeles, learned English and acting, and built a Hollywood career with films including “Desperado” and “From Dusk Till Dawn.” She produced and starred as Frida Kahlo in “Frida” in 2002.