Supermodel Paulina Porizkova wants women to celebrate grey hair and wrinkles: 'Imagine if older beauty were respected'

What if women looked forward to getting grey hair instead of hiding it? What if wrinkles were seen as signs of wisdom and confidence rather than flaws that needed to be corrected? Supermodel and author Paulina Porizkova has asked people to imagine a world where ageing is celebrated instead of feared. In a recent Instagram video, the 61-year-old model challenged society's beauty standards and questioned why women are often made to feel less attractive as they grow older. Her message has struck a chord with social media users, bringing fresh attention to the pressure women face to look young.

What did Paulina Porizkova say about ageing and beauty?

In the video, Porizkova asks her followers to imagine growing up in a society where older women are admired for their experience rather than judged for their appearance. “Imagine if you grew up in a world where you were told and shown that women, as they age, go into a different type of beauty. Their older beauty will be respected and admired,” she said.

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A post shared by Paulina Porizkova (@paulinaporizkov)

She also suggested that wrinkles and sagging skin could be viewed as signs of confidence and wisdom instead of imperfections. Taking her thought further, she asked whether young women might actually want to draw wrinkles on their faces if society celebrated ageing. She also questioned why women dread finding their first grey hair instead of welcoming it. Porizkova ended her message by asking why women continue to follow beauty rules that make them feel small and less confident.

Paulina Porizkova has been challenging beauty standards for years

This is not the first time the model has spoken about the pressure on women to maintain a youthful appearance. In a 2022 interview with The Guardian, she discussed how women often become invisible to society as they grow older. “One way to fix shame about getting older is to fix your face. The other way is to get rid of the shame,” she told the publication.

She also spoke about the beauty industry's focus on youth and how women are encouraged to use cosmetic treatments to look younger. In a 2025 interview with Harper's Bazaar, Porizkova openly expressed her love for her natural grey hair. “I love my gray hair,” she said, adding that she felt smarter, wiser and better with every passing year.

Who is Paulina Porizkova?

Born in Czechoslovakia, Porizkova became one of the most recognisable supermodels of the 1980s. She was discovered at the age of 15 and appeared on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 1984. She later became the face of Estée Lauder, signing a major modelling contract in 1988. Decades later, in 2025, she returned as a global brand ambassador for the beauty company.