Nina Money and her husband Aaron were spending Recent 12 months’s at the beach in Australia when he decided to take some amazing bikini photos of her.
But these were no peculiar photos.
“So I gathered the footage and this candid shot he had,” said Money. “After which I shot a really quick movie and put it together. I sent it and thought, “Would not or not it’s a miracle and super cool if I got this?”
Money, a retired associate dean from California, was among the many top 12 finalists for the 2023 SI Swim Search competition. SI Swimsuit’s annual audition, which receives 1000’s of submissions from hopeful models, goals to find its newest star.
“My response was a complete shock,” she said of hearing the news. “I’m delighted but shocked to have made it this far – but additionally happily shocked. And I take all of it personally. I feel like a 5 12 months old the night before Christmas with all of the wonderful anticipation, butterflies in my stomach, nervousness. It’s a great feeling and I accept it.”
Money, who joked that she was a “senior,” said she was inspired by Kathy Jacobs, who became the “oldest debutante” at 57 in 2021.
“There isn’t any expiration date,” Money explained. “You may go and go… You may smooth out those bumps within the road. And that is what I would like to do. It is rarely too late. It is usually the appropriate moment. I do not think I’d have been prepared for that if I used to be younger. I believe I’m one of the best version of myself at once because I’ve lived life. People speak about laugh lines – I actually have life lines. I’m not going to do away with these lifebuoys since it means I’ve lived life and I’ve also been a lifebuoy to other people due to my age and wisdom, my skills and abilities. I survived it. So I would not trade it for anything on this planet.”
“I don’t desire to return to 25,” she insisted. “I don’t desire to return to being a teenager. Even in my thirties. I believe beauty blooms with age. I’m 56 years old and I feel like I’m blossoming greater than ever in my twenties, thirties and even forties.”
The unique variety of swimsuits was released in 1964. Since that point was the starting platform for the models like Kathy Ireland, Christie Brinkley, Elle Macpherson, Kate Upton and Ashley Graham.
Money has said she is inquisitive about modeling but is worried about what colleagues will consider her.
“Once I was an associate dean working in education, I never talked about wanting to be a model or anything like that,” Money said. “Because for whatever reason, if some people discover, [they would] see me in a different light. It’s like you may’t be quite smart – you may’t be pretty and smart. You may’t be fulfilled and pretty because you may only be one or the opposite for some reason, right? And for me it’s like, why not embrace all of you? Accept what you have done up to now. Take your experience and show it.”
Money said her husband is delighted she made the cut.
“I actually have such a wonderful husband,” she raved. “She’s my biggest and loudest cheerleader… I desired to apply next 12 months because I just retired. So I thought of it… He’s in seventh heaven. And my daughters are delighted and excited. They are saying: “Mom, kill the grey! You are 56 and in the combo – kill the grey!’”
Recently, Money has been fascinated with one other man – her late father. She said growing up in a Filipino, Catholic, and military family had a profound effect on how she sees the world.
“My dad, though he saw a lot of motion, was the kindest, most generous, warm, understanding, hospitable man,” she said. “Before World War II, unfortunately, my dad needed to fight within the Japanese and Philippine conflict… It was probably when he was 16 or 17… He was at a camp [in the jungle] when certainly one of his officers called him to the hut and said, “Francisco, you have to kill that Japanese soldier.” They only got a prisoner of war. And my dad is a little kid. The officer left and my dad looked at this Japanese soldier who was his age [him]. And my dad couldn’t kill him since it wasn’t like they were fighting. He was just there.
“My dad released… a Japanese soldier,” she continued. “After which my dad just shot up into the air. Fast forward, I believe it was two and a half, three weeks later, my dad and three of his friends are captured by the Japanese. They line up for execution. And who goes out to do them? The person my dad let go. So this person let my dad go. My dad starts running, pondering his friends will chase him. But no. The guy let my dad out, but he shot my dad’s friends.
“I ponder, ‘What has my dad been through? ”… I am unable to complain about my life at all. That is why I’m at all times very optimistic about things. I’m a one who can do anything. Very rarely do you hear me say, “No, it may well’t be done.”… I actually have to look at my father and say that his life experience was very dramatic. And if it didn’t reach him, by God, nothing will reach me. I actually have to say, for lack of a higher word, I used to be privileged due to the way in which I grew up with my family.”
Money is grateful that over time, SI Swimsuit has celebrated women with different life experiences which have shaped them. Today, she hopes her story will encourage others, that it’s never too late for an encore.
“I actually have gray hair, I’m diabetic, I’m retired, I had a profession, [but] I have not given up on my dreams,” said Money. “It’s never too late. It is usually the appropriate moment. I hope other women see themselves reflected in me. I hope my hair, my eyes, my education, my struggles, whatever, ignite something in them that they will not surrender. I’m now one of the best version of myself I could ever be.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.