It was the first Oscar win for the 46-year-old Saldana and was preceded by wins at the Golden Globes and BAFTA and SAG awards this year for the same role.

“Thank you to the Academy for recognising the quiet heroism and the power in a woman like Rita,” said Saldana with tears in her eyes as she accepted her Oscar.

“And talking about powerful women, my fellow nominees, the love and community that you have offered me is a true gift and I will pay it forward.”

She also thanked “Emilia Perez” director Jacques Audiard, whom she called “forever a beloved character in my life.”

Saldana said her grandmother had come to the United States in 1961 and would be thrilled to see her win for a role in which she sings and speaks in Spanish.

“I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hard-working hands,” she said.

Saldana also thanked her husband “with that beautiful hair.”

Other nominees in the category included Ariana Grande (“Wicked”), Isabella Rossellini (“Conclave”), Monica Barbaro (“A Complete Unknown”) and Felicity Jones (“The Brutalist”).

Saldana helps the drug lord fake his death and then get gender-affirming surgery so that Emilia Perez can become a woman, played by Spain’s Karla Sofia Gascon. In return, she is given a large sum of money.

She also sings the song “El Mal” in which she criticises the rich at a charity gala.

Saldana has starred in some of the highest-grossing films including “Avatar” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.”