Salma Hayek "loves" her independence.

The 45-year-old actress is married to French billionaire Francois-henri Pinault - with who she has four-year-old daughter Valentina - but insists she doesn't rely on him for money, though she admits she is happy to have his support when she is experiencing "troubles".

She said: "I work hard, I make my own living and I love it. I like having financial independence. I don't ever want to have to depend on anyone completely. But when I have troubles sometimes, it's nice to have someone there to help."

Francois-Henri is the CEO of luxury goods firm PPR - which own fashion houses Gucci and YVES SAINT LAURENT - and while Salma likes to "play fashion" with him, she insists her spouse doesn't tell her what to wear.

She told the November issue of Redbook magazine: "I like to play fashion with him, but I'm nobody's Barbie."

The actress admits becoming a mother has had an impact on some of her career choices - such as voicing a character in 'Puss in Boots' so Valentina can watch it - she insists she is not afraid of playing a "devil" if a role calls for it.

She added: "I'm playing the queen of a drug cartel in an Oliver Stone film. He asked if I'd gone 'all soft' because I'm a mother. I said, 'Yes, but I can be the devil if I need to, because after all, I'm an actress.' "