Nina Cash, 57, Stuns in 'Sports Illustrated Swimsuit' Rookie Debut

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit revealed a co-winner of the magazine's annual Swim Search on Wednesday, 57-year-old retired university associate dean Nina Cash, who will appear in the issue's 60th anniversary in May.

Prior to finding her "encore" as a swimsuit model, Cash, who is also a mother and grandmother, spent 30 years in education and workforce development. In addition to an undergraduate degree in human services, she holds a master’s degree in negotiation, conflict resolution and peace-building; and a doctorate in educational leadership.

Considering her already-impressive resume, modeling may seem like a strange next step. But it fits right in with Cash's mantra that there is beauty at every age.

The silver-haired stunner first began kicking around the idea of modeling, a lifelong dream, after her retirement last year. However, it wasn't until a vacation to Australia last December when her husband Aaron took a few candid pics of her wearing a leopard print bikini on the beach that she finally became inspired to make a bid.

“That night we look at some of the photos and I’m like, ‘Hey, not bad for a 56-year-old broad who just retired," she recalled. "I’m going to apply for Sports Illustrated.'"

After submitting an application that she put together in 45 minutes, Cash admits that she didn't think about it again for three months until she got the call that she had made the top 24. From there, she made it through the top 12, and then the final seven of the open casting call. The next step was being invited to walk in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show at Miami Swim Week in July, carrying a beach bag emblazoned with the message: "Gone Gray and Still Slay."

"That was a huge pinch-me moment,” she said of the experience. "Huge, huge, huge. Because I remember it distinctly: I was in high school in [1983], and Cheryl Tiegs was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. And I remember having that moment as a high school student going, ‘Oh, Sports Illustrated. It’d be so cool to be in the magazine.’ O.K., guys, news flash: That was 40 years ago because it’s gonna be the 60th anniversary next year."

Cash was then whisked to Porto and the North, Portugal to be photographed by photographer Ben Watts, alongside fellow models such as Olivia Dunne.

"Nina Cash was a standout from the very first time we saw her Swim Search submission video," said SI Swim editor in chief, MJ Day. “After being in education for over 30 years, the former Dean decided to take a risk and submit to our annual search as a vehicle to inspire others. Nina is living proof that beauty knows no bounds as she embraces every stage of life with timeless elegance. We're excited to celebrate her enduring allure of confidence and welcome her as a rookie for the 2024 issue.”

But while being featured in the issue is enough of an honor as it is, Cash says she appreciates what Day has done for the magazine by showcasing a Gen X woman of her age and hair color.

"This whole experience has just been nothing but magic to me. It’s been magical," she sums up. "I’ve said this a gazillion times and I will keep saying it because it’s truly a way to express how I’m feeling, but I feel like a child the night before Christmas and it’s like, now it’s Christmas day today and I’m opening up all my presents and I’m filled with such happiness and gratitude and excitement. It’s just, it’s been wonderful."