Salma Hayek Pinault Lights Up Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2025 Cover, Championing Freedom and Joy

Academy Award nominee Salma Hayek Pinault has made a stunning debut as a cover model for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2025 issue at the age of 58[2][5][6]. The actress, producer, and activist embraces themes of freedom, joy, and self-acceptance in her groundbreaking feature, which was shot in her home country of Mexico[2][8].

A Milestone Debut at 58

This marks Hayek Pinault's first appearance on the coveted SI Swimsuit cover[2][9][10]. She expressed initial surprise, recalling how she never imagined herself gracing the cover, especially at this stage of her life[2][5][6][7]. "I remember when I was young... I was always excited to see the Swimsuit Issue... Of course, I didn’t look like a model, so it never crossed my mind that one day I would be in it," Hayek Pinault shared[2][9]. She added, "If somebody had told me I was gonna be in it at 58, I would have sent them to the madhouse, but the world has changed, and that's exciting"[2][5][9].

Embracing Freedom, Joy, and Authenticity

A central theme of Hayek Pinault's feature is the embrace of personal freedom and joy[2]. "I don't see why, after a certain age, we have to retract ourselves from embracing life to the fullest," she stated[2][9]. She hopes her cover serves as "a reminder for everyone that it's so important to always just put all your effort in finding the joy in any given situation"[2][9].

The photoshoot experience itself became a journey from anxiety to liberation for Hayek Pinault[4]. After initial nerves and an airline losing her luggage filled with "special tricks," a moment of serendipity occurred when a whale jumped behind her on set[4]. "Something happened... I said, 'F--- it. I am this ocean. I am this sand. I am this wind. I am beautiful like it is. Imperfect but wild and beautiful. I feel great about my body. I feel great about my age.' And I had the f---ing best time. I was free and I was wild. It was kind of spiritual," she recounted[4].

The Iconic Photoshoot in Mexico

The breathtaking images were captured by renowned photographer Ruven Afanador at the Cuixmala luxury resort in Mexico[2][3][5]. Hayek Pinault is depicted in a series of striking poses, including kneeling by a pool, against a jungle backdrop, and on the beach[3][8]. She showcased an array of minimalistic and daring swimwear, including a sheer white crochet bikini, a maroon bikini with gold hardware, an eye-catching gold crochet string bikini, and even posed nearly nude save for sheer chainmail bikini bottoms, accessorized with gold body chains[3]. One cover features her in a glittering dark green swimsuit by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz, complemented by a gold body chain and turquoise necklace from Los Angeles designer Jacquie Aiche[6][7][10]. Her look emphasized natural beauty with minimal makeup and a relaxed, wet hairstyle[3].

Challenging Perceptions and Inspiring Generations

Hayek Pinault views her cover as part of a significant cultural shift in how age and beauty are perceived[2][5][9]. "I feel so fortunate that I am part of a generation that has been able to really experience very tangible change," she said[2][5]. She praised Sports Illustrated Swimsuit for acknowledging that "it's O.K., maybe even cool, to be past 50 and still be able to feel not just sexy, but for me, to be free and not be self-conscious of your body like you have to hide"[2][5][9].

SI Swimsuit editor-in-chief MJ Day lauded Hayek Pinault as "a force of nature" and "a beacon for Latinx communities," whose "passion for art, life and humanity has few rivals"[2][11]. Hayek Pinault hopes her presence on the cover empowers women and represents "a lot of people that are like me... so when the light hits me, they come with me"[4].

Support and Fellow Cover Stars

Hayek Pinault shared that her family, including her daughter Valentina and husband François-Henri Pinault, were supportive and proud of her SI Swimsuit appearance[4]. She joins an impressive lineup of 2025 cover stars, including Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, model and gymnast Olivia Dunne, and model and entrepreneur Lauren Chan[2][6][8][9][10].

The issue featuring Salma Hayek Pinault will be on newsstands starting May 17[5][6][7].

FAQs

1. How old is Salma Hayek Pinault on her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover? Salma Hayek Pinault is 58 years old on her debut SI Swimsuit cover for the 2025 issue[2][5][6].

2. When will Salma Hayek Pinault's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue be available? The issue will be available on newsstands starting May 17, 2025[5][6][7].

3. Where did Salma Hayek Pinault's SI Swimsuit photoshoot take place? The photoshoot took place at the Cuixmala luxury resort in her home country of Mexico[2][5][8].

4. Who photographed Salma Hayek Pinault for the SI Swimsuit cover? The photographer was Ruven Afanador[2][3][5].

5. Who are the other cover models for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2025 issue? The other cover stars are Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, model and gymnast Olivia Dunne, and model and entrepreneur Lauren Chan[2][6][8][9][10].

6. What message does Salma Hayek Pinault hope to convey with her SI Swimsuit cover? She hopes to remind people of the importance of finding joy in every situation and to inspire a feeling of freedom and empowerment, particularly for women, showing that it's possible to embrace life fully at any age[2][4][9].