Karla Sofía Gascón is a Spanish actress, writer, and activist known for her work in both Spanish and Latin American cinema. She gained international recognition for starring in the critically acclaimed film Emilia Pérez (2024), which earned her the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival, making her the first transgender actress to receive this honor. In 2025, she became the first openly transgender actress nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Her career spans decades, from early Spanish TV shows to leading roles in Mexican telenovelas, films, and internationally recognized cinema. Gascón’s journey has been groundbreaking in the film industry, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights while achieving critical and commercial success.
In this article, we will explore Karla Sofía Gascón’s net worth, age, height, weight, career, movies, TV shows, awards, early life, family, relationships, controversies, and more.
Karla Sofía Gascón Short Details
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Karla Sofía Gascón |
Profession | Actress, Writer, Activist |
Hometown | Alcobendas, Spain |
Nationality | Spanish |
Date of Birth | March 31, 1972 |
Age (as of 2025) | 52 years old |
Height | 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
Weight | 68 kg (150 lbs) |
Hair Color | Dark Brown |
Eye Color | Brown |
Marital Status | Married |
Spouse | Marisa Gutiérrez |
Children | 1 Daughter |
Years Active | 1995–present |
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Karla Sofía Gascón was born on March 31, 1972, in Alcobendas, Spain. From a young age, she showed a passion for acting, often performing with her brother. At 16, she decided to pursue acting professionally and later obtained an acting degree from ECAM (Escuela de Cinematografía y del Audiovisual de la Comunidad de Madrid).
Before breaking into mainstream Spanish television, Gascón worked in London and Milan, where she contributed to BBC Spanish-language learning series and voiced characters in Italian children’s shows.
Her early TV career included roles in Spanish soap operas such as El Súper, Calle Nueva, and El Pasado es Mañana. She also appeared in Spanish films like Se buscan fulmontis (1999), Me da igual (2000), and Box 507 (2002).
Rise to Fame: Move to Mexico and Telenovela Success
In 2009, Mexican filmmaker Julián Pastor convinced Gascón to move to Mexico, where she revived her acting career in telenovelas. She quickly gained recognition with roles in:
- Corazón Salvaje (2009–2010) – Playing the gypsy Branko.
- El Señor de los Cielos (2014) – As Iñaki Izarrieta, a ruthless Spanish criminal.
- Nosotros, los Nobles (The Noble Family, 2013) – A blockbuster Mexican comedy film that gained international success.
Her role in El Señor de los Cielos cemented her reputation as a versatile actress, skilled in playing intense, dramatic characters.
Emilia Pérez and International Stardom (2024–Present)
In 2024, Gascón starred in Jacques Audiard’s musical crime film Emilia Pérez, playing the title role of Emilia Pérez, a powerful cartel leader who fakes their death, transitions, and starts a new life.
The film premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where Gascón won Best Actress, sharing the award with her co-stars Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Zoe Saldaña. She made history as the first openly transgender actress to win at Cannes.
Following this success, she earned numerous awards and nominations, including:
- European Film Award for Best Actress (2024)
- Academy Award Nomination for Best Actress (2025) (First trans actress nominated)
- Golden Globe Nomination (2025)
- BAFTA Nomination (2025)
Gascón was also knighted in France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, recognizing her contributions to film and culture.
Upcoming Projects (2025 & Beyond)
Gascón has signed on to star in:
- Las Malas (2025) – A film adaptation of Bad Girls by Camila Sosa Villada, where she plays Aunt Encarna.
- Other Hollywood and European film projects are rumored to be in development.
Personal Life
Karla Sofía Gascón has been married to Marisa Gutiérrez since her early 20s. The couple met in a nightclub in Alcobendas and have a daughter born in 2011.
Gascón follows Nichiren Buddhism, which she credits for helping her navigate personal and professional challenges.
Controversies and Social Media Backlash (2025)
In January 2025, old social media posts from 2019-2021 resurfaced, revealing racist, Islamophobic, and controversial remarks made by Gascón. Some of her most criticized tweets included:
- Referring to the 2021 Oscars as an “Afro-Korean festival”.
- Derogatory comments about Islam, COVID vaccines, and George Floyd.
After the backlash, Gascón deleted her tweets, issued an apology, and deactivated her Twitter account. She stated:
“I deeply regret my past remarks. As someone from a marginalized community, I understand the pain words can cause. I hope to learn from this and grow as a person.”
The controversy sparked debates about cancel culture and accountability in Hollywood, especially during awards season.
Karla Sofía Gascón Net Worth and Income Sources (2025)
As of 2025, Karla Sofía Gascón’s estimated net worth is $5 million.
Income Source | Earnings |
---|---|
Net Worth (2025) | $5 Million |
Primary Income | Acting, Films, TV Shows |
Book Sales | Karsia: An Extraordinary Story (2018) |
Endorsements | Brand deals, Fashion partnerships |
Investments | Real Estate, Stocks |
Her Oscar nomination and Hollywood projects are expected to increase her wealth significantly in the coming years.
Lesser-Known Facts About Karla Sofía Gascón
- She wrote an autobiography, Karsia: An Extraordinary Story, about her gender transition.
- She started acting at 16 years old.
- She was once a puppeteer in Milan.
- She considers herself Mexican by adoption.
- She became the first transgender actress to win Best Actress at Cannes.
- She voiced Spanish-language educational programs for the BBC.
- She was once a male lead actor in Mexican telenovelas before transitioning.
- She was knighted in France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2024.
- She has a passion for martial arts and meditation.
- She was the first openly trans actress nominated for an Academy Award.
Conclusion
Karla Sofía Gascón has had a groundbreaking career, making history as an Academy Award-nominated transgender actress. From Spanish TV to Hollywood, she has showcased her immense talent and resilience.
Despite recent controversies, her impact on cinema and LGBTQ+ representation is undeniable, making her one of the most talked-about actresses of 2025.
NOTE: This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only.