At 59 years old, Paulina Porizkova stands as a testament to both grace and longevity. The former supermodel, once one of the most iconic faces in the fashion industry, is proving that age is merely a number. Her stunning figure, which she proudly flaunts on social media, continues to defy expectations. Recently, Paulina shared photos of herself enjoying the natural beauty of Costa Rica, posing in a string bikini, effortlessly blending the vibrancy of her surroundings with her timeless beauty.
But how does she maintain such an impressive physique well into her fifties? Her secret to staying fit isn’t just about the workouts she’s adopted in later life, but also about her commitment to embracing her age, remaining active, and staying true to a lifestyle that nourishes both her body and soul.
Paulina Porizkova’s journey into fitness didn’t begin when she was younger. In fact, the model admits that throughout much of her career, she didn’t engage in regular exercise. For a woman who graced the covers of magazines and walked countless runways, she surprisingly had little interest in traditional fitness regimes during her heyday. However, by the time she reached 40, Paulina realized that maintaining her youthful figure would take more than just good genes. This epiphany sparked her relationship with fitness and health, showing that it’s never too late to begin focusing on your body’s well-being.
“I started exercising when I was 40,” Porizkova candidly shared. “I never did anything before that. Just cigarettes and poor nutrition. I could eat whatever I wanted because I smoked,” she revealed to Elle. At the time, it wasn’t uncommon for models to maintain their figures with poor health habits, but even then, Porizkova understood that there was a limit. She saw friends and fellow models like Cindy Crawford hitting the gym regularly and working hard to sculpt their physiques. Yet, she recalls feeling detached from that lifestyle, thinking it wasn’t something that she needed. “Cindy would be there sweating and working out, and she had a fabulous body that she worked for, and I was just like, ‘Oh, that’s stupid.'”
It’s easy to imagine the freedom of youth, when your metabolism allows indulgence and bad habits with little consequence, but as Porizkova herself notes, there comes a time when you “pay for it.” By 40, the signs of aging and the impact of years of unhealthy living became evident, and she realized it was time to embrace a healthier way of life.
Fast forward to her mid-fifties, and Porizkova now follows a more structured exercise routine, even though she admits she doesn’t always enjoy it. In a refreshingly honest Instagram post, she shares, “I try to exercise at least 3-5 days a week. And you know what? I frickin hate it.” This confession resonates with many who find themselves struggling to stick to a fitness routine, but Paulina recognizes that the results make it all worth it. “If sitting on a couch, eating cake, drinking wine, and reading did the same for me as exercise, there would be no contest,” she jokes, but quickly adds, “working out is that perfect little pill everyone is looking for. It makes you feel good, look good, good for your brain and body—a small miracle that has to be paid off by a little discomfort.”
Paulina’s openness about her fitness journey is particularly inspiring because it dispels the myth that maintaining a youthful physique is effortless. For her, it’s about discipline and acknowledging the payoff that comes with pushing through discomfort. Her workouts aren’t just about vanity, they are part of her holistic approach to aging well.
One of the keys to Paulina’s success in staying fit is finding forms of exercise she genuinely enjoys. For her, dancing has always been a favorite method to stay active. “I still dance. I’ve done boxing. I’ve done rowing. You name it, I’ve done it. Except for running. I don’t like running. It doesn’t feel good to me,” she told Elle. For Porizkova, the joy of movement is as important as the physical benefits, and it’s why she gravitates towards fun, energetic exercises like Zumba and Bollywood dancing. “Bollywood dancing is a great way to get the aerobic part done,” she says. Whether she’s working out with a rower or dancing through her day, it’s this playful approach that helps her stick to her routine.
In addition to dancing, Paulina has also incorporated Pilates into her fitness regimen. Specifically, she practices the Norfar Method, a Pilates-based workout system founded by a fitness expert in Manhattan. On her Instagram, she credits this method as the secret behind her incredible physique. “The woman responsible for the body I’m proud of,” she wrote in a heartfelt post, thanking her instructor. Pilates, known for strengthening the core and improving flexibility, is a gentle yet highly effective form of exercise, making it a perfect match for Porizkova as she prioritizes longevity and joint health.
Diet also plays a major role in her fitness journey. While Paulina admits she loves indulgences like cake, she keeps her overall diet “reasonably clean.” She avoids processed foods, opting instead for whole, nutrient-rich options that fuel her active lifestyle. Her approach to food is one of balance: enjoying a variety of foods while being mindful of the quality and avoiding extremes. As she’s grown older, Porizkova has learned that wellness isn’t about deprivation, but rather about making choices that support her goals.
From the runway to the fitness studio, Paulina Porizkova’s story is one of evolution. Her journey from a supermodel who once shunned exercise to a fitness advocate in her fifties is both relatable and inspiring. Unlike many models of her era, she didn’t always follow the industry’s fitness trends, but as she embraced her forties, she found a new sense of empowerment in taking care of her body. Her success isn’t just in maintaining a bikini body but in embracing a lifestyle that makes her feel strong, confident, and beautiful, inside and out.
Paulina’s story serves as a reminder that aging can be a graceful process when combined with self-love, movement, and a commitment to health. Whether she’s dancing in a Zumba class, hiking in the jungle, or showing off her toned abs in a bikini, she’s living proof that fitness and beauty don’t have an expiration date.
