Salma Hayek is one of the most successful and gorgeous actresses on the planet, but Hayek led a rather humble life in her native Mexico before she was famous. Having worked on her craft since the age of 18, Hayek’s passion for acting eventually propelled her into the stratosphere. Although she’s at the top, she still finds time to advocate for causes that she’s passionate about. She’s most known for her work in combatting domestic violence against women, as well as her advocacy for immigrants and charity work in helping disadvantaged children in Mexico.

While Hayek’s known to be one of the most beautiful actresses working in Hollywood, she’s now in her 50s and looks rather different than in her younger years, but she’s still every bit as gorgeous. From her upbringing to finding stardom, the 56-year-old actress is still in incredible shape.

Known for her famous appearance in the 1996 movie “From Dusk Till Dawn,” many fans love Hayek for the scene in which she danced with an Albino Burmese Python Reticulus on her shoulders while wearing a brown bikini that left little to the imagination.

Now a mother of one daughter, Hayek is still strutting around in bikinis in her 50s. On her Instagram, Hayek shamelessly posts bikini photos, and according to her, she’s not stopping anytime soon. The actress frequently takes to Instagram to post both throwback photos, as well as new photos of herself and her busy life. Read on to learn more about Hayek’s past and her unapologetic attitude toward posting bikini pics at the age of 56.

Salma Hayek (2018), (Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Born on Sep. 2, 1966, in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, Hayek once described her childhood as being pretty idyllic. Raised by her mother, who was an opera singer, and her father, an oil company executive, she also had a brother. She told The Guardian:

“It was a close community, we lived near the ocean and we would be outside all the time with the neighbors’ kids, running free, playing football on the streets and at the beach. What better place could there be for a child?”

In another interview with O, The Oprah Magazine, Hayek detailed her close relationship with her grandmother, Maria Luisa Lopez, describing her as her “greatest inspiration.” A scientist who Hayek says was ahead of her time, she said, “I still have her inside of me and I always will.”

Despite her calling to become a star, Hayek enrolled at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City but dropped out soon after, to the dismay of her family. But she knew that acting was what she was destined to do, so she stuck with her decision.

Well, it didn’t take long for the decision to pay off — after getting her first part playing Jasmine in a theater production of “Aladdin” for kids, Hayek went on to bigger things, landing her first TV gig in 1988 on “Nuevo Amanecer.” The following year, she nabbed the titular role in “Teresa,” a telenovela that catapulted her to fame at the tender age of 22. The part made her one of Mexico’s biggest soap opera stars at the time and superstardom appeared to be just around the corner.

Salma Hayek (2017), (Steve Granitz/WireImage via Getty Images)

Not satisfied with what she’d achieved in her native Mexico, Hayek set her sights on Hollywood. One of the reasons for her desire to work in an industry outside of Mexico was to appear in films in which Mexico didn’t have much of an industry. Despite the odds against her, Hayek packed up her things, landed in Los Angeles in 1991, and began acting lessons with the renowned actress and teacher Stella Adler.

On top of moving to a foreign country, learning the language, and having to build her career once again, Hayek has talked about the racism she faced upon arriving in the United States. She was told she’d never work and that she’d be limited to playing a maid. In an interview with NPR, she said, “I have had to fight, very, very hard for every little mediocre part I ever got.”

In another interview with O, The Oprah Magazine, Hayek talked about being one of the first Latin women in the mainstream Hollywood industry:

“Because there was no industry or parts for Latin women when I came here, there was really no competitiveness. Jennifer Lopez and I were the first, and I think Jennifer was my partner at the beginning.”

Now that Hayek is older and well-established, she has been actively posting on her Instagram. With a mix of old and new photos, the 56-year-old shares lots of photos of herself unapologetically. Some of her most popular posts are shots of herself in stunning swimwear that flaunts her natural beauty and highlights her best assets, as well as selfies that show off her natural and makeup-free beauty.

Salma Hayek (2023), (Marc Piasecki/FilmMagic via Getty Images)

Despite millions of followers who simply can’t get enough of her revealing bikini posts, Hayek said she has endured criticism about being an older woman who isn’t afraid to embrace and flaunt her beauty. She told ET it felt “liberating” for her to share her photos and she wasn’t going to stop doing so anytime soon, even though she’s had to put in the effort to keep herself looking trim and healthy, just like everyone else.

“I had to lose a lot of weight and exercise to get into the bikini towards the end of last year,” she told the outlet.

“I’m glad I took a lot of pictures, I have no shame on it, because it was the first week of the vacation,” she added, referring to posts she shared toward the end of 2020 and early 2021.

“But after that first week and when I heard that everybody was going back into quarantine, I started eating again,” she told ET. Still, Hayek has continued to post old and new photos, showing off her wonderful figure and making sure to include kind-hearted messages in her posts.

“People are sick of it but I’m going to let them take a break,” she said. “They’re going to think I’m wearing a bikini every day. No, they’re all from the same location.”

While some people have criticized Hayek for posting her bikini photos, many fans have praised the actress for her stunning looks and authentic self. On Aug. 14, 2022, Hayek posted a photo of herself in a bikini without any makeup on. She appeared to be having a pretty relaxing Sunday!

The following day, Hayek posted yet another bikini photo – this time full-length. In the caption, the actress wrote, “Ready for the week. Lista para la semana. #monday.”

What do you think about Salma Hayek’s unapologetic bikini pics? Let us know your thoughts, and be sure to pass this on to other Salma Hayek fans you know!