Happy Salma was born in Sukabumi, West Java, on 4 January 1980 to Dachlan Suhendra and Iis Rohaeni, she is the fourth of the couple’s six children. She enjoyed writing and reading from an early age. She graduated from Trisakti University with a degree in business administration.

Salma originally entered the entertainment industry as a model. She later appeared in numerous sinetron (Indonesian soap operas), including Bujangan (Single Man), Kutunggu Cintamu (I Wait for your Love), and Cowok-Cowok Keren (Cool Guys). In 2005 she acted in Gie, Indonesia’s official entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 78th Academy Awards.

In 2009, Salma was chosen as one of the celebrity icons for Balai Pustaka’s reprint of eight classics of Indonesian literature in a special Indonesian Cultural Heritage Series. She represented Sitti Nurbaya.

Happy Salma or Jero Happy Salma Wanasari (born Happy Salma; 4 January 1980) is an Indonesian actress, model, and writer. Originally working as a model, she later acted in numerous sinetron before acting in 2005’s Gie. She married Ubud prince Tjokorda Bagus Dwi Santana Kertayasa in 2010. The following year she was chosen as best supporting actress at Indonesian Movie Awards for her role as a prostitute in 7 Hati 7 Cinta 7 Wanita (Seven Hearts, Seven Loves, Seven Women).

In 2010, Salma played Yanti in the film 7 Hati 7 Cinta 7 Wanita (7 Hearts 7 Loves 7 Women); in preparation, she spent time observing a real-life prostitute. Despite the character being a prostitute, Salma refused to have any form of physical contact with the male performers, saying that “it’s okay to play a sensual character, but [she did not] want to do such scenes”. She won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the 2011 Indonesian Movie Awards for the role.

Salma married photographer Tjokorda Bagus Dwi Santana Kertayasa, a prince from Ubud, Bali, on 3 October 2010, after which she received a royal title and changed her name in Jero Happy Salma Wanasari. They had a traditional Sundanese wedding reception in Sukabumi on 16 October 2010. The couple have two children: Tjokorda Sri Kinandari Kerthyasa (b. 2015) and Tjokorda Ngurah Rayidaru Kerthyasa (b. 2018).

In 2011, Salma will produce a new film, Description Without Place which tells about the past, present and the future of 3 women (from Saudi Arabia, Italy and Jakarta respectively) who meet in Bali during their spiritual journeys.