Paola Mendoza Biography: Partner, Age, Kids, Net Worth, Parents, Siblings, Books & Movies

Paola Mendoza is a filmmaker, activist, author, and artist who rose to prominence through her storytelling centered on the immigrant experience and her leadership in national social justice movements.

She gained significant public recognition as one of the key organizers and the artistic director of the 2017 Women’s March on Washington, which became one of the largest single-day protests in United States history.

Her creative work first drew critical acclaim with the release of the film Entre Nos in 2009, a movie she co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Paola Mendoza
• Date of Birth: September 15, 1978
• Age: 47 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of Birth: Bogotá, Colombia
• Nationality: Colombian-American
• Profession: Filmmaker, Activist, Author
• Eye Color: Brown
• Hair Color: Black
• Parents: Liliana Legge (Mother)
• Siblings: Rick Mendoza
• Spouse: Michael Skolnik (Partner)
• Children: Mateo Ali Skolnik
• Relationship Status: Partnered
• Religion: Christian
• Ethnicity: Latina
• Net Worth: $2,000,000

Early Life and Education

Paola Mendoza is now at the age of 48 and was born on September 15, 1978, in Bogotá, Colombia.

Her early years were defined by a transition to the United States when she was three years old, settling in Los Angeles with her mother, Liliana Legge, and her older brother, Rick Mendoza.

Shortly after their arrival, her father left the family, which led to a period of severe financial hardship and homelessness.

For a time, the family slept on park benches while her mother worked to secure a stable life.

During her adolescence, she faced personal challenges and became involved with a local gang in Los Angeles at age 12.

To change her trajectory, her mother sent her back to Colombia to live with an aunt for several years before she returned to California for her final year of high school.

Mendoza pursued higher education at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television after attending community college for three years.

She graduated from UCLA with a focus on film and later continued her academic training at Sarah Lawrence College, where she earned a Master of Fine Arts.

Personal Life

Paola Mendoza is in a long-term partnership with Michael Skolnik, a well-known civil rights activist and media executive.

The two met while she was a student at UCLA and have built a life centered on shared political values and social justice work.

While they operate as a domestic unit and are often referred to as a couple in professional and social circles, they have maintained a modern partnership rather than a traditional public marriage ceremony.

Together, they have one son named Mateo Ali Skolnik, who was born around 2014.

Career

Paola Mendoza broke into the film industry with the documentary Autumn’s Eyes, but it was the 2009 narrative feature Entre Nos that solidified her reputation.

The film won several awards and was praised for its authentic portrayal of the immigrant struggle.

She followed this with various documentary and narrative projects, including On the Outs and the 2024 documentary Igualada, which focuses on the political rise of Francia Márquez in Colombia.

Her career shifted into high-profile activism in late 2016 when she joined the organizing committee for the Women’s March.

As the artistic director, she was responsible for the visual identity of the movement.

She also co-founded The Soze Agency, which works with brands and nonprofits to create social impact campaigns.

Her literary career includes the New York Times bestseller Together We Rise and the young adult novels Sanctuary and its sequel Solis, which envision a future America through the lens of undocumented protagonists.

Awards

• Best Narrative Feature (Nomination), Tribeca Film Festival (2009)
• Adolph Zukor Award, Shooting People’s I Love Movie Making (2009)
• Best Film, Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (2009)
• Best Actress, Imagineindia International Film Festival (2010)
• Honorable Mention for Narrative Feature, Sarasota Film Festival (2009)
• Social Justice Award, Cinema for Peace (2017)

Net Worth

Paola Mendoza has a net worth estimated at $2,000,000.

This wealth has been accumulated through her multifaceted career as a film director and producer, where she has earned fees for independent projects and commercial collaborations.

Social Media

• Instagram: @paolamendoza
• X: @paolamendoza

Filmography

• Autumn’s Eyes (2006)
• On the Outs (2006)
• Entre Nos (2009)
• Half the Sky (2012)
• Free Like the Birds (2016)
• Igualada (2024)

Discography

• Resistance Revival Chorus: This Joy (2020)

Books

• Together We Rise: The Women’s March One Year Later and the Next Steps Forward (2018)
• Sanctuary (2020)
• Solis (2024)