Salma Hayek, the Oscar-nominated actress celebrated for her role in Frida, continues to captivate the world with her versatility as a director, philanthropist, and activist—and at 58, she adds yet another milestone to her storied career by gracing the cover of the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.

Her journey to this iconic moment wasn’t without challenges; Hayek tried on over 100 swimsuits, dealt with lost luggage en route to the shoot, and confronted her own doubts, admitting to experiencing impostor syndrome. Despite those hurdles, she embraced the opportunity, sharing behind-the-scenes clips of her confidently posing on the beach and reflecting in her cover story that she once viewed the magazine as the pinnacle of beauty.