Actress Salma Hayek and billionaire Frenchman François-Henri Pinault announced they had called off their engagement - because of the  5,700 mile gulf between them.

The 41-year-old Ugly Betty star lived for most of the year in Los Angeles, with the couple’s 10-month-old daughter, Valentina Paloma.

Mr Pinault, meanwhile, lived some 5,700 miles away in Paris, France.  

The wedding is off: Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault are no longer engaged

The 45-year-old Chief Executive Officer owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and  Balenciaga, among numerous other luxury brands.

He is known for working regular 12 hour days, putting his all into his family  businesses.

The couple met in Venice in May 2006, and, a year later, announced they were  getting married and having a child together.

Valentina Paloma, Miss Hayek’s first child, was born last year in LA. She was a  third child for Mr Pinault, who has two children from a marriage which ended in  2004.  

Commenting on his latest split, a close friend of Mr Pinault said: 'Both  François-Henri and Salma are heartbroken, but given the huge geographical distance between them, they just couldn’t make things work.

Going solo: Salma with the couple's 10 month old daughter Valentina in Los Angeles earlier this month

'Salma had to be in Hollywood to pursue her career, while François-Henri’s life  is in France. There was just nothing they could do about this.  

'Both were exhausted by long flights, and keeping in touch by telephone and  email just wasn’t enough. They would have weekends together 'half way' in New  York, but the situation got ridiculous.  

'They just couldn’t make things work, and have gone their separate ways. Family  and friends were all looking forward to a lavish wedding. Everybody is  naturally hugely upset.'

Miss Hayek admitted in April that the couple’s constant commuting between LA  and Paris was odd, saying: 'To most women it's crazy. But every relationship is unique.'

One of the couple’s last public engagements was in February, when they attended a New York gala celebrating the launch of the flagship Gucci boutique and raising money for Madonna's Raising Malawi foundation.  

There were warning signs about the split in April when the Desperado actress  was asked about a wedding date.  

She said: 'Do I think we are going to get married? Probably. Will it make a  difference? I hope not.'

Despite not being officially married, Miss Hayek is now expected to benefit from a multi-million pounds settlement from Mr Pinault.  

A representative for the couple said yesterday: 'We are sad to announce the  engagement of Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault has been cancelled. There  will be no further comment.'