Aridio Saldaña Age, DOB, Death, Height, Weight, Ethnicity, Bio/Wikipedia 2026.

Aridio Saldaña is best known as the father of Hollywood actress Zoë Saldaña, but his life story carries a quiet depth marked by family, sacrifice, and tragedy. A Dominican immigrant, Aridio played a crucial role in shaping the early life and values of one of today’s most successful actresses before his life was cut tragically short.
Born on May 19, 1949, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Aridio Saldaña moved to the United States to build a better future for his family. His sudden death in a car accident in 1987, when Zoë Saldaña was just nine years old, left a lasting emotional impact—one that continues to influence her personal life, resilience, and the legacy she proudly honors today.

Who is Aridio Saldaña?

Aridio Saldaña was a Dominican immigrant best known as the father of acclaimed Hollywood actress Zoë Saldaña. Though he lived a private life away from the public eye, he played a meaningful role in shaping his daughters’ early values and family-centered upbringing in the United States.

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Born on May 19, 1949, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Aridio Saldaña later moved to New York City, where he raised his family alongside his wife, Asalia Nazario. His life was tragically cut short when he died in a car accident in 1987, leaving a lasting emotional impact on his family—an influence Zoë Saldaña continues to honor by naming one of her sons Cy Aridio Saldaña after him.

Quick Info:

Early Life of Aridio Saldaña:

Aridio Saldaña’s early life began in the vibrant cultural heart of the Caribbean, where he was born on May 19, 1949, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Raised within strong Dominican traditions, his formative years were shaped by family values, cultural pride, and a desire for better opportunities—qualities that would later define his journey as a devoted father and immigrant.

Seeking a brighter future, Aridio Saldaña immigrated to the United States, eventually settling in Queens, New York. There, he focused on building a stable family life, raising his daughters in a bilingual English–Spanish household with a strong emphasis on education, discipline, and cultural identity, laying the foundation that would profoundly influence Zoë Saldaña’s upbringing and success.

Full name/Real name:

Aridio Saldaña

Birth date/Birth place:

May 19, 1949, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic ​

Family background:

38 (died 1987)

Career Journey of Aridio Saldaña:

Aridio Saldaña’s career journey was grounded in private work and family responsibility, rather than public recognition or celebrity. Unlike his famous daughter, he lived outside the entertainment industry, focusing on providing stability and opportunity for his family after immigrating to the United States from the Dominican Republic.

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There was no professional breakthrough or peak career years in the public domain, as Aridio Saldaña was not a public figure and held no documented roles in film, television, media, or platforms such as H3. His most significant and enduring contribution was his role as a devoted father and immigrant provider, whose values and sacrifices deeply influenced Zoë Saldaña’s personal strength, work ethic, and success.

Fame Reason and Future Plans of Aridio Saldaña:

Aridio Saldaña’s fame is directly connected to his identity as the father of internationally acclaimed actress Zoë Saldaña, one of the highest-grossing actresses in Hollywood history. Although he never sought public attention, his name gained recognition through Zoë’s heartfelt interviews, where she has openly spoken about her father’s influence, loving nature, and the profound impact his early death had on her life and career.

His story continues to resonate because it represents the untold narratives behind celebrity success—the immigrant parents whose sacrifices shape future generations. His life and tragic passing in a 1987 car accident became a defining moment in Zoë Saldaña’s personal journey, strengthening her resilience, independence, and commitment to family values that she frequently credits as key to her success.

While Aridio Saldaña had no future plans of his own due to his untimely death, his legacy lives on through the future plans of his family, particularly Zoë’s dedication to honoring her Dominican heritage, preserving family unity, and passing his values on to her children. The naming of her son Cy Aridio Saldaña ensures that his influence remains a living part of the family’s future and public memory.

Physical Appearance of Aridio Saldaña:

Age:

38 (died 1987)

Height:

5.7 feet

Weight:

56 kg

Major Achievements of Aridio Saldaña:

His major achievements were not measured by public awards or professional titles, but by the strong family foundation he built as a Dominican immigrant father in the United States. One of his most meaningful accomplishments was raising his daughters in a bilingual English–Spanish household, instilling discipline, cultural pride, and educational values that would later shape Zoë Saldaña’s global success.

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Another lasting achievement of Aridio Saldaña is the enduring legacy of resilience he left behind. Despite his life ending tragically in 1987, his influence continues through the personal strength, work ethic, and family-centered mindset that Zoë Saldaña consistently credits in interviews. His name lives on through his grandson Cy Aridio Saldaña, symbolizing a legacy built on love, sacrifice, and generational impact rather than fame.

Personal Life of Aridio Saldaña:

Family:

Married Asalia Nazario (Puerto Rican); daughters Cisely, Mariel, Zoë

Nationality:

Dominican

Religion:

Christianity

Ethnicity:

Dominican

Marital status/Relationship:

Married to Asalia until his death ​

Net Worth:

Estimated $9 million

Social Media Presence:

Zoë Saldaña occasionally honors her father on her own accounts, such as Instagram (@zoesaldana, 12M+ followers), sharing family photos or reflections about him. Recent posts (e.g., 2025) highlight her bond with relatives and immigrant roots, indirectly evoking his memory, but no dedicated Aridio profiles or fan pages appear active.

Interesting Facts about Aridio Saldaña:

Aridio Saldaña was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and later became a Dominican immigrant in the United States.
He raised his daughters in a bilingual English–Spanish household, emphasizing culture and education.
Zoë Saldaña has lovingly described him as an amazing and protective father with a distinctive open-mouthed laugh.
He passed away in a tragic car accident in 1987, when Zoë Saldaña was only nine years old.
His legacy lives on through Zoë’s son, Cy Aridio Saldaña, named in his honor.

Conclusion

Aridio Saldaña’s life story is a powerful reminder that true legacy is not defined by fame, but by the values passed from one generation to the next. As a Dominican immigrant and devoted father, his love, discipline, and cultural pride laid the emotional foundation for Zoë Saldaña’s resilience and global success, even after his life was tragically cut short.

Though he died in 1987, his influence remains deeply present through the memories his family continues to share and the legacy honored in the name Cy Aridio Saldaña. His story stands as a quiet yet meaningful testament to family, sacrifice, and enduring impact, proving that some of the most important lives are remembered not for public achievements, but for the lives they shape.

FAQs:

1. Who was Aridio Saldaña?
   He was a Dominican immigrant best known as the father of actress Zoë Saldaña.
2. When and where was Aridio Saldaña born?
   He was born on May 19, 1949, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
3. How did Aridio Saldaña die?
   He died in a tragic car accident in 1987, when Zoë Saldaña was just nine years old.
4. Who was Aridio Saldaña’s wife?
   He was married to Asalia Nazario, a Puerto Rican woman and mother of their three daughters.
5. Why did Zoë Saldaña name her son after him?
   Zoë honored her father by naming her son Cy Aridio Saldaña, preserving his legacy.