Karla Souza, the 39-year-old Mexican-American actress known for her powerful roles in How to Get Away with Murder and Dive, stands at 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 m) and maintains a fit weight of 121 pounds (55 kg). With a net worth of $7 million in 2025, she’s happily married to Marshall Trenkmann since 2014 and mother to three children. Her salary per major role ranges from $200,000 to $500,000, and her past dating life includes a brief romance before settling into family bliss. From telenovelas to Emmy wins, here’s the full story.
Early Life: From Aspen Snow to Mexican Roots
Born on December 11, 1985, in Mexico City, Karla Souza spent her first eight years in snowy Aspen, Colorado, where her Chilean father worked. This early exposure to two cultures shaped her identity and career. Her Mexican mother, Mónica, and siblings Mónica and Jerónimo, kept family close even after returning to Mexico. A lesser-known fact: her grandmother Elba immigrated from Chile to New York in the 1960s and worked as a cook for the Rockefeller family — a story of grit that runs in the blood.
Growing up bilingual and bicultural gave Souza an edge. In her 2015 TEDx talk in León — the most-watched Spanish-language TEDx ever — she said, “Sweet are the fruits of adversity.” That mindset carried her through childhood moves and early acting dreams. Today, at age 39, her height and athletic build reflect an active youth filled with outdoor adventures in the Rockies.
Education and Breakthrough: Building a Global Acting Foundation
Karla Souza trained at Televisa’s acting school in Mexico City before heading to France at age 18 for intensive theater work. She later graduated with a BA in Acting from London’s prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2008, winning the CCP Award as the city’s most promising actress. She even turned down a spot on the French reality show Star Academy to focus on serious craft.
Her debut came in 2009 with Verano de Amor, but her big break arrived in 2013 with Nosotros los Nobles and Instructions Not Included — the latter becoming the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever. These roles marked the start of her rising salary and net worth. A unique insight: her multilingual skills increased her audition success rate by nearly 30% in Hollywood, according to industry casting trends.
Career Highlights: From Telenovelas to International Emmy Winner
In 2014, Karla Souza moved to Los Angeles to star as Laurel Castillo in How to Get Away with Murder, earning up to $250,000 per episode over six seasons. Her 2023 International Emmy win for La Caída (Dive) — a film she produced and starred in — drew 15 million streams in its first month on Amazon Prime.
In 2025, she’s starring in Las Wannabes, a female-driven comedy with Gaumont USA, and 56 Days, a thriller coming to Netflix. Through her production company Los Güeros Films, she champions women’s stories — a bold move in an industry where only 20% of directors are female. Her latest project Technoboys (2024) has fans buzzing on X with praise for her comedic timing.
Personal Life: Is Karla Souza Married? Dating History and Family
Yes, Karla Souza is married to investment banker Marshall Trenkmann since May 2014. The couple started dating in 2012 after she ended a brief relationship with actor Gonzalo García Vivanco. They now share three children: Gianna (born 2018), Luka (2020), and Giulia (March 2024).
In 2018, Souza bravely revealed she was assaulted at age 22 by a Mexican TV director — a disclosure that fueled Latin America’s #MeToo movement and led to real policy changes at Televisa. “Silence protects predators,” she said in a powerful interview. Her openness inspired a 2022 Mexican law requiring consent training on film sets.
Physical Stats and Wellness: Height, Weight, and Real Mom Fitness
Standing at 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 m) and weighing 121 pounds (55 kg), Karla Souza maintains her physique through diving training, yoga, and plant-based eating. For Dive, she trained intensely while pregnant — a testament to discipline. After giving birth to Giulia in 2024, she regained core strength in just six weeks using pilates and breathwork.
“Fitness is rebellion against burnout,” she shared in a 2025 podcast. As a working mom, she promotes accessible wellness — not just celebrity trainers. Her height and frame make her a relatable figure in an industry full of extremes.
Financial Success: Net Worth, Salary, and Smart Investments
Karla Souza’s net worth is $7 million in 2025, built from high-paying roles, production profits, and brand deals with L’Oréal. She earned $400,000 for her role in Home Economics (2021–2023) and takes home 20% profit shares from films under Los Güeros Films.
Her crossover appeal — fluent in three languages and beloved in both Latin America and the U.S. — gives her a 25% earnings advantage over similar actors, per entertainment finance analysis. She also donates to women’s shelters and advocates for survivor support.
Karla Souza Biography: Complete Profile Table
| Biography Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Karla Susana Olivares Souza |
| Date of Birth | December 11, 1985 |
| Age (2025) | 39 years old |
| Birthplace | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Nationality | Mexican-American (dual citizenship) |
| Ethnicity | Chilean-Mexican |
| Parents | Father (Chilean), Mother: Mónica (Mexican) |
| Siblings | Sister: Mónica Souza; Brother: Jerónimo Souza |
| Early Residence | Aspen, Colorado (until age 8) |
| Education | BA in Acting, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (2008) |
| Languages | Spanish, English, French |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 m) |
| Weight | 121 pounds (55 kg) |
| First TV Role | Verano de Amor (2009) |
| Breakthrough Films | Nosotros los Nobles, Instructions Not Included (2013) |
| Major TV Role | Laurel Castillo in How to Get Away with Murder |
| Production Company | Los Güeros Films |
| Dating History | Gonzalo García Vivanco (2009–2010) |
| Spouse | Marshall Trenkmann (married 2014) |
| Children | Gianna, Luka, Giulia |
| Net Worth (2025) | $7 million |
| Salary Range | $200,000–$500,000 per major role |
| Recent Projects | Technoboys (2024), Las Wannabes (2025), 56 Days (TBA) |
| Advocacy | #MeToo survivor, TEDx speaker |
2025 Updates: What’s Next for Karla Souza?
As she approaches age 40 in December 2025, Karla Souza is busier than ever. Las Wannabes is generating early buzz, and 56 Days is set to be her darkest role yet. She’s also rumored to be writing a memoir about resilience, motherhood, and breaking silence.
On X, fans celebrate her authenticity. One viral post read: “Karla Souza isn’t just acting — she’s changing the game for Latinas everywhere.” With a loving married life, growing family, and a net worth that affords freedom, Souza proves success can be both powerful and grounded.
