Paulina Porizkova knows a thing or two about aging gracefully. The 53-year-old model first appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue [1] in 1983, and 36 years later, she's back for the upcoming 2019 issue. While SI has become more inclusive of different body types [2] and models over the years [3], Paulina was still surprised to be "the oldest 'girl' in the SI stable," she told People.
"My second thought was, oh, yeah, sh*t, that means I will have to pose in a bikini with a bunch of 20 year olds," Paulina said about her reaction to appearing in her 10th SI Swimsuit Issue [4]. "It was at once thrilling and disconcerting. Although I am militant about aging women still being sexy and beautiful, I don't always feel that way. But refusing was out of the question. I was honored to be invited to break a barrier. I would just have to suck it up, or IN, rather, and hope for a photographer who knew his light."
One look at Paulina's photos, and it's no surprise to see her still crushing modeling shoots — she's stunning! In fact, her photos in the 2019 Swimsuit Issue, which is out this May, bear a striking resemblance to her photos from 30 years ago, thanks to the teeny-weeny bikinis. "I wore exactly the same type of bikinis and bathing suits I would have worn 30 years ago," she told the site about her shoot. "In one instance, almost less with nothing but a G-string and a hat."
She posed nude in last year's SI Swim Issue [5] alongside Aly Raisman, Sailor Brinkley Cook, and more. But it's not all bikini photo shoots for Paulina. The Czech-born beauty is an actress, an all-around family woman [6], and a feminist. She has two sons, two grandsons [7], and is "surrounded by step-granddaughters, nieces and goddaughters."
Sports Illustrated reports that Paulina's 10th SI Swimsuit photos [8] were shot on the beaches of Watamu, Kenya, by photographer Yu Tsai. We'll have to wait until May for the release of the 2019 SI Swimsuit Issue [9], but until then, read on to see Paulina's gorgeous photos and prepare to be in awe.
