It's been more than a year since Salma Hayek graced the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, but the iconic actress is still making waves. On Wednesday morning, the magazine kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month by sharing a throwback photo of Hayek rocking a stunning green bikini, and the internet promptly lost its collective mind.
The post, captioned with a nod to Latinx-owned swim brands, instantly reignited the buzz that first exploded when Hayek was unveiled as a cover model in May 2025. Fans flooded the comments with love, marveling at how the 59-year-old seems to defy the passage of time entirely.
“Still blows my mind how Salma has only gotten better with age,” one admirer wrote. Another simply declared, “Salma doesn’t age.” Even fellow SI Swimsuit model Penny Lane chimed in with a one-word verdict: “Queen.”
The throwback moment is a reminder of just how monumental Hayek’s SI Swimsuit debut was. The Oscar-nominated actress, known for unforgettable roles in From Dusk till Dawn and Desperado, never imagined she’d be part of the iconic franchise. “I remember when I was young, a long, long time ago, I was always excited to see the Swimsuit Issue of Sports Illustrated, and [thinking] ‘Who’s going to be in it?’ Of course, I didn’t look like a model, so it never crossed my mind that one day I would be in it,” she said at the time. “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.”
Hayek’s cover shoot was shot in Mexico, and she’s spoken openly about how transformative the experience was. “Being in nature, being in Mexico, being with this team, having been invited to this club that I never thought I would be a part of—I kind of wanted to cry,” she told SI Swimsuit. “I felt this thing, and all of a sudden 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.”
That raw, empowering sentiment clearly resonated with fans, and it’s part of why her SI Swimsuit legacy continues to endure. The magazine has a knack for sparking conversations with its stunning imagery, as seen with recent features like Nikki Bella’s swimsuit stunner at 42 and Trinity Rodman’s bold new snaps. Hayek’s throwback photo fits right into that tradition of celebrating confidence and beauty at every age.
As Hispanic Heritage Month unfolds, Hayek’s post serves as both a celebration of Latinx culture and a testament to her enduring star power. Will she return for another SI Swimsuit issue in 2027? Only time will tell, but if the reaction to this throwback is any indication, fans would welcome her back with open arms.
