Paulina Porizkova celebrates 61st birthday in a string bikini, explains why she was most insecure during her modeling career

The supermodel also shared the cheeky reason she kicked her workout routine "10 notches up."

The Gist

• Paulina Porizkova rang in her 61st birthday by stripping down to a red striped string bikini.
• In an April 8 video, the supermodel showed off different angles of the red-hot swimsuit while opening up about her journey to self-acceptance.
• Porizkova also hinted at her upcoming wedding date while sharing the real reason she kicked her workout routine "10 notches up."

Now that she’s in her 60s, Paulina Porizkova feels more confident in her own skin than she ever did during her runway heyday. On April 8, the eve of her 61st birthday, the supermodel celebrated by stripping down to a red striped string bikini while reflecting on how far she’s “traveled in self-acceptance” since her 20s.

In a video shared on Instagram, Porizkova posed in a “super cute summer bikini” as she opened up how her perception of her body has changed over the past 40 years. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue alum could be seen tying her red-and-white striped Lemlem bikini top and twirling around for the camera as she showed off different angles of her sustainably-made swimsuit.

Porizkova styled her signature silver hair in a deep side part, showing off her natural wavy texture with barely-there glam and a hint of blush. 

Playfully flexing her arms and sticking her tongue out, the catwalk star layered her red-hot swimwear with a black, white, and yellow striped sundress and a matching woven bag that was also from Lemlem.

Reflecting on her impending 61st birthday in a voiceover, Porizkova said, “I understand that this might sound crazy to you, but 40 years ago when I was 21 and when I was at the height of my career and supermodel-dom, that was when I felt the most insecure.”

Paulina Porizkova on the runway at Balmain RTW Spring 2025 as part of Paris Ready to Wear Fashion Week held at Palais de Chaillot on September 25, 2024 Credit: Getty Images

Despite signing the highest-paid modeling contract at the height of her career, the formerAmerica's Next Top Model judge explained that she “never seemed to be good enough” due to constant comparison to other models and because her self-worth was tied to her appearance. 

Celebrating her newfound self-love, Porizkova said she was “[flexing] muscles I’ve been working my cellulite-butt off for to feel my best in this sixth decade” before sharing the sweet reason she’d been putting in extra time at the gym.

As she dramatically added a pair of black oversized sunglasses to her look, she wrote, “I kicked my workout 10 notches up  because I want to look my best this summer, not necessarily in a bikini, but in a wedding dress.”

Porizkova announced that she got engaged to Jeff Greenstein last July while flashing her diamond engagement ring. The big step in their relationship came after they met in person for the first time in February 2023.