Salma Hayek has become the latest star to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue at the age of 58. The Mexican-American actress and film producer revealed she tried on more than 100 swimming costumes and bikinis before settling on the ones featured in the sultry photoshoot.

Hayek told the magazine she it had “never crossed my mind that I would be in it” because she is not a model. She added: “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.” The Frida star recently revealed that the secret to still feeling sexy in her 50s — and it’s not spending hours exercising in the gym.

Instead, she has long maintained that more sedate activities such as meditation, yoga and toning exercises keep her in shape.

Hayek recently told Marie Claire: “Four times a year, I put music on and walk on my own treadmill. Don’t ask me to run; my boobs are not made for that.”

The actress revealed she avoids too much sugar in her diet due to a family history of diabetes. And she has spoken about the benefits of meditation and restorative yoga, as well as moving your body throughout the day in ways that activate the muscles and release tension.

Hayek also said she is content with her figure and passionate about reminding the world that women are “not disposable after a certain age”.

She said: “There was a time when I was the sexy girl, but thank God age came and gave me the ability to expand to other territories. Although I’m still sexy and I embrace it.

“Another calling that I have is to remind everyone that women are not disposable after a certain age in any department. We should battle that with all we’ve got.”

The actress, who made her name in the 1990s with breakout roles in Desperado and From Dusk Till Dawn, also told Sports Illustrated she had no plans to slow down.

She said: “I feel so fortunate that I am part of a generation that has been able to really experience very tangible change. I could retire, but I don’t want to miss out on this time.

“I fought for it, you know, and I’ve been part of it, and I think it’s really remarkable that a magazine like Sports Illustrated [Swimsuit] says that it’s OK, maybe even cool, to be past 50 and still be able to feel, not just sexy, but for me, to be free and not be self-conscious of your body like you have to hide.”