Mexican-American actress and film producer Salma Hayek is embracing a new decade with enthusiasm, declaring that she feels "very optimistic" after turning 60. Speaking on the red carpet at the 2026 Women in Film (WIF) Honors, presented by Max Mara at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on Thursday, November 5, 2026, Hayek reflected on reaching the milestone birthday she celebrated earlier this fall on September 2. In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, the Oscar-nominated performer noted that the reality of entering her sixties has proven far more rewarding and far less intimidating than she had anticipated throughout her younger years.

Rather than slowing down, the screen veteran is marking this period with significant professional and personal milestones, including stepping behind the camera to write and direct her first theatrical feature film, Arena.

Grounded by her ongoing creative ambitions and a growing family, Hayek emphasized that remaining active in the entertainment industry while maintaining her health and personal relationships defines her positive outlook on aging in Hollywood.

Red-Carpet Reflections on Reaching a Milestone Decade

During her appearance at the Beverly Hills ceremony on November 5, Hayek addressed the psychological shift that accompanied her 60th birthday. For decades, the prospect of reaching sixty had loomed large in her imagination, carrying the weight of industry expectations and societal attitudes toward aging women. However, actually arriving at the milestone dispelled those long-held anxieties.

"[I'm] very optimistic. It sounded so scary in the 20s, in the 30s, in the 40s, even in the 50s. It's not scary at all. Once you get here, it's not bad at all," Hayek stated during the event.

She elaborated on the core elements fueling her enthusiasm for this current chapter, adding, "I'm still doing what I love, and I have the blessing of my family and friends and health and energy and dreams. Let's go."

While the actress was unequivocal about her upbeat mindset, secondary coverage of her remarks generated minor confusion regarding her stance on getting older. A headline from The News International questioned whether Hayek felt "scary" after achieving the major milestone, though the outlet's own reporting—alongside coverage from PEOPLE and The Express Tribune—confirmed that she was specifically contrasting her past apprehension with her current sense of ease and excitement.

Hayek's comments at The Beverly Hilton align with the sentiment she shared publicly in the days immediately following her September 2 birthday.

According to The Express Tribune, the Frida and From Dusk Till Dawn star previously commemorated the occasion by sharing photographs on Instagram accompanied by the concise caption, "60 and grateful."

Stepping Behind the Camera With Feature Directorial Debut 'Arena'

A central pillar of Hayek's current optimism is her ongoing expansion as a filmmaker. When discussing what professional ambitions remain on her horizon at sixty, the actress pointed directly to her transition into feature-length directing. As reported by Yahoo News UK, Hayek is making her official theatrical directorial debut with Arena, an epic romantic adventure project that she also wrote.

"I just directed my first film and that's very exciting," Hayek noted during the November 5 interview.

While she has long been an active producer in film and television alongside her acting career, taking the helm of a theatrical feature represents a distinct creative progression at a stage when many performers face narrowing opportunities in the studio system.

When pressed on whether the experience on the set of Arena has inspired plans to direct additional motion pictures in the future, Hayek emphasized mindfulness and focus over premature scheduling. "Well, let me finish this one. Let's stay in the present. It's great. The present is great," she replied. According to The News International, Arena is currently in post-production and does not yet have an official theatrical release date.

Overcoming Self-Doubt and Challenging Industry Standards

Hayek's candid remarks about thriving at 60 follow several high-profile moments in recent years in which she openly challenged conventional beauty and age standards in media.

Despite her status as a global movie star, Hayek has been transparent about experiencing moments of insecurity when stepping outside her traditional comfort zone.

According to Yahoo News UK, Hayek was featured as the cover star of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition in 2025 at the age of 58, an experience she previously admitted triggered a "very bad case of imposter syndrome." Appearing on the Today show to discuss the publication, Hayek recalled nearly withdrawing from the project after initially agreeing to participate.

"I said yes and then when it was time to do it, I tried to back out. I said, 'No,' because the bathing suits never fit me, how am I gonna do this? There's nothing my size — I always suffer,'" Hayek explained during that broadcast. Reflecting on the cultural significance of landing the cover in her late fifties, she added, "I remember when I was young and hot, I used to look at this magazine.

I wanted to see who was the new gorgeous model, the new girl of the moment. And it never crossed my mind that I could be on that cover because they didn't look like me. My body's not necessarily the model type and I never thought that was a possibility. And for it to happen when I'm 58? It's really shocking."

By confronting those hesitations in her late fifties and moving into feature directing as she turns sixty, Hayek's recent trajectory illustrates a broader shift within entertainment, where veteran actresses are increasingly asserting creative control and visibility across both legacy media and studio production.

Family Milestones and Embracing Role as a Grandmother

Beyond her film slate, Hayek's entry into a new decade coincides with a major transition within her personal life. Hayek shares her daughter, Valentina, with her husband, businessman François-Henri Pinault, and serves as stepmother to his three children from previous relationships.

According to a report from Charlotte Observer carrying Us Weekly coverage, Hayek recently expressed that she was ready for and thoroughly enjoying becoming a grandmother. While syndicated summaries of PEOPLE's coverage noted that she became a grandmother for the first time weeks before her 60th birthday without specifying further details in the primary aging quotation, The Express Tribune reported that her stepson, François Pinault Jr., and his wife recently welcomed a baby boy named François, whom the actress plans to call by the affectionate nickname "Panchito."

Frequently Asked Questions

What projects is Salma Hayek currently pursuing in her career?

When Hayek states that she is "still doing what I love," a major focus is her transition into feature film directing. She recently directed and wrote her first theatrical feature film, an epic romantic adventure titled Arena.

She is currently focused on completing the film, which does not yet have an official release date, before deciding whether she will direct future movies.

How have Salma Hayek's views on aging changed over time?

According to her November 5, 2026 interview at the Women in Film Honors, Hayek viewed turning 60 as "so scary" when she was in her 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. Now that she has reached the milestone, she describes it as "not scary at all" and feels "very optimistic," crediting her health, energy, family, friends, and ongoing creative dreams.

What has been reported about Salma Hayek becoming a grandmother?

Multiple entertainment outlets have reported that Hayek recently became a grandmother around the time of her 60th birthday. While initial red-carpet excerpts focused primarily on her birthday and career, reports from Us Weekly (via the Charlotte Observer) and The Express Tribune indicate she is embracing the role after her stepson, François Pinault Jr., and his wife welcomed a son named François, whom Hayek plans to call "Panchito."

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