Eva Longoria's staggering success by the numbers

August 10, 2018 at 7:40 AM

She’s an actress, producer, filmmaker, and activist — and a first-time mom to a baby boy born just two months ago. Impressive, right? But did you know that Eva Longoria’s rise to stardom actually started with her winning a pageant? In 1998, she was crowned Miss Corpus Christi USA — bow down!

Eva Longoria attends her first premiere since the birth of her son. (Photo: Getty Images)

Soon after her crowning moment, she started auditioning for acting roles and got a big break on a very well-known soap opera, The Young and the Restless. From 2001 to 2003, Longoria played Isabella Bra?a. Doesn’t ring a bell? Well, maybe the name Gabrielle Solis does? That was the name of her famous character on Desperate Housewives. Longoria was on all eight seasons of the show, which ran from 2004 to 2012. “Desperate Housewives was such a global phenomenon from Episode 1. It was something I had never experienced,” Longoria said. “I very quickly realized I was going to have this voice so I better have something to say.”

Receiving my star 🌟was one of the happiest days of my life and this is why! Love these ladies so much. You both will never know the impact you have had on my life both professionally and personally! Miss seeing your faces everyday!! ??????
A post shared by Eva Longoria Baston (@evalongoria) on Apr 17, 2018 at 1:51pm PDT

The Desperate Housewives series absolutely opened doors for Longoria, who in 2013 went on to executive-produce the show Devious Maids. Her talents also shone bright behind the camera. She’s directed episodes of Black-ish and Jane the Virgin. Not to mention her extensive movie career, which includes more than 18 films, plus the new Dog Days movie.

You guys!!!! Make sure to tune in on @abcnetwork to watch the episode I directed for @blackishabc 🎬 TONIGHT at 9|8c #iDontThinkAnthonyIsListeningToMe 😂
A post shared by Eva Longoria Baston (@evalongoria) on Mar 27, 2018 at 1:59pm PDT

Outside of acting, TV, and films, Longoria has been instrumental in starting the #TimesUp movement and being a champion for diversity. In 2010, she launched the Eva Longoria Fund, designed to benefit children and Latinos. The following year she founded the Eva Longoria Foundation with a mission of empowering Latinas.

Such an honor to speak today at the @wmnsmarchla! This isn’t just a moment or a march, it’s a movement! ?🏼#WMLA2018 #TIMESUP
A post shared by Eva Longoria Baston (@evalongoria) on Jan 20, 2018 at 3:04pm PST

In 2016, she married her third husband, José Bastón, and in June 19, 2018, she welcomed her first son, Santiago. Longoria has quickly adapted to her new role of mom. She told Entertainment Tonight that famous friends like Kerry Washington have really shown their support: “I just have this amazing community of women around me that have really helped me transition into motherhood, and I think you need that.”