Salma Hayek has turned 60, and she’s celebrating the milestone in her own unforgettable way. The Oscar-nominated actress marked her birthday on September 2 and shared a series of stunning ocean photos on September 7 that have captivated fans around the world.
The “Frida” star posted two images of herself swimming in the ocean without a swimsuit, with the waves providing coverage as she smiled and looked off-camera. Her simple caption—”60 and grateful”—captured the spirit of the occasion. The celebration comes weeks after Hayek became a grandmother for the first time, adding another layer of significance to this milestone year.
The Mexican-born actress, whose birthday falls on September 2, welcomed her 60th year with a celebratory ocean swim and a series of posts that quickly went viral. The photos show Hayek lying in shallow water with a wide smile, and another image captures her rising from the water with her head thrown back.
Her “60 and grateful” caption resonated with fans and celebrity friends alike, with Elle Fanning, Marion Cotillard, Paris Hilton, Rachel Zoe and Christina Hendricks among those leaving comments. The post has also drawn likes from Priyanka Chopra, Cara Delevingne, Ricky Martin, Emily Ratajkowski, Anya Taylor-Joy and Penelope Cruz.
Hayek’s birthday caption—”60 and grateful”—speaks to a broader theme of embracing life’s milestones with positivity and confidence. The actress, who has spent decades in the entertainment industry, has often spoken about aging in the spotlight and maintaining a balanced perspective on getting older.
Her decision to share such personal birthday images reflects a comfort with her age and body that resonates with many fans. Rather than hiding from the milestone, Hayek chose to celebrate it openly and joyfully, setting an example of confidence that has inspired admiration across social media.
The photos shared by Hayek capture her enjoying the ocean in a natural, carefree manner. In the first image, she lies in shallow water with her head propped in her hands, smiling warmly at the camera. The second photo shows her wading deeper into the ocean, her head thrown back and her long, dark hair falling behind her.
The images also reveal something more personal: Hayek embraced her natural grey hair in the photos, with her dark waist-length waves tinged with silver. This subtle but meaningful choice underscores the authenticity of her “60 and grateful” message—she’s embracing herself as she is, including the natural signs of aging.
The combination of a major celebrity milestone, bold photos and a positive message created the perfect recipe for viral attention. Several factors contributed to the widespread interest:
A Major Milestone: Turning 60 is a significant life event, and fans are always interested in how beloved celebrities mark such occasions.
The Photos: The ocean swim images are eye-catching and memorable, offering a glimpse into Hayek’s celebratory spirit.
The Message: “60 and grateful” captures a sentiment that resonates with people of all ages—the importance of gratitude and embracing life’s journey.
The Timing: Coming shortly after Hayek became a grandmother for the first time, the birthday celebration feels part of a particularly meaningful chapter in her life.
Hayek’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. Born in Coatzacoalcos in southern Mexico, she appeared in “Un Nuevo Amanecer” and “Teresa” in her early twenties before making the bold decision to move to Los Angeles. She took English lessons and auditioned for roles, gradually building a career that would make her a Hollywood icon.
Her breakthrough came with Robert Rodriguez’s “Desperado” in 1995, followed by roles in “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Fools Rush In” and “Wild Wild West.” But it was her portrayal of artist Frida Kahlo in the 2002 film “Frida” that cemented her legacy, earning her a best-actress Oscar nomination and making her the first Mexican woman recognized in that category.
Throughout her career, Hayek has been both an actress and a producer, working behind the scenes to bring diverse stories to the screen. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including a Daytime Emmy for producing “The Maldonado Miracle” and a Primetime Emmy nomination for her role in “Ugly Betty.”
Hayek has been married to François-Henri Pinault, a French businessman and CEO of Kering, since 2009. Together, they have a daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault, who turned 18 this year. Hayek is also stepmother to Pinault’s three children from previous relationships: François, 38, Mathilde, 25, and Augustin, 19.
The actress recently embraced a new role: grandmother. Her stepson, François Pinault Jr., welcomed his first baby with his wife, Lara Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck, in August 2026. Hayek shared a sweet Instagram post cuddling her grandson, named François, and revealed she plans to call him “Panchito.”
Beyond the ocean photos, Hayek celebrated her 60th birthday with a gathering in Rome, Italy. Longtime friend and fellow actress Angelina Jolie was among the guests, and the two shared a warm hug that was captured in photos from the celebration.
The intimate celebration featured a large strawberry cake, and Hayek was surrounded by close friends as she marked the milestone. The Rome celebration reflects Hayek’s international lifestyle—she divides her time between homes in various countries, including Italy, where her husband’s business interests are based.
Hayek has long been celebrated for her fashion sense, and her 60th birthday photos continue that tradition. Her decision to go without a swimsuit for the ocean photos was bold, but consistent with her history of confident fashion choices.
The actress has been open about her approach to beauty and aging. In a 2025 interview with Good Housekeeping, she shared that she takes a “conservative approach to aging gracefully” and wants to “stay away from cosmetic procedures as much as possible.” She explained that she wants her face to “stay your face, to look like you and be able to have all the expressions read easily. It’s part of my identity and my personality.”
Hayek’s thoughts on aging and beauty are worth exploring in more depth, as they offer valuable context for understanding her 60th birthday celebration. She has rejected the notion that women lose their appeal as they age, telling Good Housekeeping: “I don’t know if the mindset [around aging] has changed that much or if it is that now women, when we are in our fifties we’re still hot. But what is indisputable is that our generation broke many walls, and we are an incredible workforce.”
The actress also shared insights into her wellness routine. She told People that she doesn’t spend hours in the gym but focuses on staying active throughout the day. “Some people have the discipline to exercise in the morning, and I didn’t develop that,” she said. “I don’t have time to exercise. I am working. I’ve had some 20-hour days.” Instead, she works with a trainer who taught her “how to hold my body in a way where the muscles are activated all day long.”
Milestone birthdays—especially those like 60, 70 and 80—often generate significant public interest. For fans who have followed a celebrity’s career for decades, these milestones represent opportunities to reflect on their journey and contributions. In Hayek’s case, her birthday coincided with the release of a Vogue retrospective of her early career, showcasing photos from her rise to fame in the 1990s and early 2000s.
These retrospectives serve as both a celebration of past achievements and a reminder of the cultural impact the celebrity has had. For Hayek, whose career helped break barriers for Latina actors in Hollywood, the milestone feels particularly meaningful.
While the ocean swim photos have generated significant attention, they’re just one part of the story. Hayek’s 60th birthday is ultimately about celebrating a life of achievement, resilience and joy. From her early days in Mexican television to her breakthrough in Hollywood, her Oscar nomination, her work as a producer and her role as a mother and now grandmother, Hayek’s journey is one of determination and grace.
Her “60 and grateful” message captures the essence of this milestone: gratitude for the life she’s lived, the people who have supported her and the opportunities that lie ahead. It’s a message that resonates far beyond celebrity news, reminding all of us to embrace our own milestones with confidence and joy.
Salma Hayek turned 60 in September 2026. Her birthday is September 2.
Salma Hayek’s birthday is September 2.
Salma Hayek celebrated her 60th birthday with a bold ocean swim, sharing photos on Instagram with the caption “60 and grateful.” She also celebrated with a gathering in Rome, Italy, attended by friends including Angelina Jolie.
Salma Hayek captioned her 60th birthday photos with a simple but powerful message: “60 and grateful.”
Yes, Salma Hayek shared two ocean swim photos on September 7 to celebrate her 60th birthday. The photos show her enjoying the ocean without a swimsuit, with waves providing coverage.
Angelina Jolie was among the guests at Salma Hayek’s 60th birthday celebration in Rome, Italy, and the two shared a warm hug that was captured in photos.
Salma Hayek is married to François-Henri Pinault, a French businessman and CEO of Kering. They have been married since 2009.
Salma Hayek is best known for “Frida” (for which she received an Oscar nomination), “Desperado,” “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Fools Rush In,” “Wild Wild West,” and the “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” franchise.