The Oscar-nominated icon joins the 2025 SI Swim lineup in shimmering bikinis, proving age is no limit to beauty, confidence, and cultural influence.
Salma Hayek Strips Down to Her Power: The Actress Shines in Her First-Ever Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover
Salma Hayek, the Oscar-nominated actress, producer, and global icon, is making waves—literally and figuratively—as one of the cover stars for the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. At 58, Hayek proves that confidence, strength, and allure only deepen with age, as she graces the magazine’s iconic platform for the very first time.
Announced on May 13, Hayek joins fellow 2025 cover stars gymnast Livvy Dunne, Olympic medalist Jordan Chiles, and model Lauren Chan in this year’s celebration of women who are defining modern beauty, culture, and purpose.
Photographed by the renowned Ruven Afanador, Hayek’s cover shoots exude sophistication and sensuality. One captivating image captures her kneeling in a shimmering dark green bikini, adorned with a gold body chain and a statement turquoise necklace, exuding goddess-like elegance while immersed in water. Another powerful portrait frames her leaning against a rocky cliff, modeling a mustard yellow crochet-style top paired with sparkling yellow bikini bottoms—earthy, bold, and effortlessly striking.
“Sports Illustrated Swimsuit has always been about more than swimsuits and stunning imagery,” said MJ Day, the editor in chief of SI Swimsuit. “It’s about creating a platform to capture moments that define our times, celebrating people who are shaping culture, and showcasing beauty on a world stage.”
For Hayek, this moment is more than a cover; it’s a statement. As a veteran actress, director, producer, and advocate for women’s empowerment, she’s long defied industry conventions—and now, she’s redefining what it means to be a swimsuit cover star at nearly 60. Day hailed her as “a force of nature” and “a champion for women.”
This cover may be Hayek’s first for SI Swimsuit, but her love for bold self-expression is well documented. In a 2021 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Hayek spoke candidly about embracing her body and sharing bikini photos on social media: “I had to lose a lot of weight and exercise to get into the bikini towards the end of last year… I have no shame on it.” She added that it felt “liberating” to post those images and noted that none of her recent beach snaps were throwbacks—proof that she continues to live and share her vibrant truth in real time.
The 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue features a total of 38 extraordinary women, with Hayek leading the charge in a year defined by purpose and representation. “Every single woman included this year brings with her a unique and powerful reason for being featured,” the magazine emphasized.
With grace, grit, and undeniable glamour, Salma Hayek’s debut cover is more than a photoshoot—it’s a moment of triumph for women everywhere. The issue hits newsstands on May 17, offering fans a look at a legacy still beautifully in the making.
