At 58, Salma Hayek made her cover debut on the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue and she thinks it’s “shocking.” Honestly, I think it’s shocking that she wasn’t on the cover sooner. It’s not like it’s a secret that Salma is both stunning and comfortable in a swimsuit as she regularly posts pictures of herself in them on her Instagram account.
Salma, or Mrs. Hayek Pinault if you’re nasty, is one of four women featured on this year’s covers. She is in good company with Olympic athlete Jordan Chiles, gymnast Olivia Dunne, and model-entrepreneur Lauren Chan.
Check out why Salma never expected to be featured in a SI Swimsuit issue along with images from the photoshoot that will make you wonder why she wasn’t featured sooner.
Salma’s cover features a swimsuit designed by Johanna Ortiz.
The Mexican actress is seen gracing the cover wearing a bikini by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz. I love that a Latina is pictured on the cover of a very famous publication in a design by another Latina. Also, the green sparkly shade of the suit is giving fancy mermaid vibes.
Why she never expected to be featured, much less at 58.
“I remember when I was young and hot, I used to look at this magazine and I wanted to see who was the new gorgeous model, the new girl of the moment, and it never crossed my mind that I could be that girl,” she told the Today Show. “My body is not necessarily the model type, and I just never thought that was a possibility, and for it to happen when I’m 58? It’s really shocking.”
Believe it or not, she almost backed out.
After saying yes to the publication, Salma really considered backing out because she caught a case of “imposter syndrome.” Fortunately, she was convinced by those closest to her that backing out so late in the game would be disrespectful. I mention this because it’s important to know that even someone as accomplished, talented, and beautiful as Salma gets insecure.
For her, this feature is about more than meets the eye.
Salma hopes that what people will take away from the images of her taken by the famed Colombian photographer Ruven Afanador in Mexico is a sense of how she feels about Mexico.
“I hope they can feel the energy of my magical country. I hope that the joy and the freedom I felt, I hope that it’s in the pictures,” she told SI. “Because behind it there’s a story of endurance, and a story of change in society, and a story for empowerment for women. And there’s a story of an untenable spirit that won’t give up.”
