Fil-Am model Nina Cash redefines beauty at 57

Filipino-American swimsuit model Nina Cash is living proof that age is just a number. 

Born and raised in Long Beach, California, the 57-year-old mom first ventured into modeling back in the 80s when she was in college. 

“I got into modeling right out of high school. I was scouted back in 1984. But my parents did not want me to do anything until after high school. So at first year of junior college, I dabbled in it a little bit, in some magazines and you know, [I] was in some magazines and what not,” she said in an episode of GMA Pinoy TV's Global Pinoy Unlimited.

Cash, however, found the love of her life, built a family, and went into the education path. 

While she thought she was already over with her modeling career a few years ago, Cash tried to go back again recently. 

“I retired a couple of years ago and I thought you know it’d be really nice to dip my toes back into the modeling world… And little did I know that I would be thrown in the deep end of the pool….So it’s been magical,” she said. 

Cash was recently featured in the May 2024 issue of the famed Sports Illustrated magazine where she proudly flaunted her fit body. 

Despite being diagnosed with diabetes, Cash remains grateful for her life and for her health. 

“I am 57 years old and you know what, I have lived my life. If I can empower other women to say ‘love your body’, I’m so fortunate to be able to wake up every day, I’m healthy. I do have diabetes but I eat appropriately to manage my diabetes,” she shared. 

“But God has blessed me everyday and I just have to thank Him by doing the best I can and not being ashamed of the way I look or my body or how I perceive myself to be.” 

Charity work

Aside from modeling and being a retired associate dean, Cash is also a philanthropist. 

“I would absolutely love to expand my charity work in the Philippines. I have so many cousins that I haven’t even met yet that I would love to visit, and see how I might do some good in the Philippines based on the platform that I have,” she said. 

“So if I can do some good with what is happening to me and the good fortune that I’m getting, and if I could pass the good fortune on to other people and help in any way that I can, I will do it.” 

‘Just do it’ 

With her achievements, Cash inspires everyone to do whatever they want for themselves. 

“Time is going to pass regardless of what you are doing or not doing. So I will tell anybody just go out there and do it. Just do it. Life is so short and who cares what other people think,” she said. 

She also encourages everyone not to be afraid of failure. 

“I went back to school at the age of 50 and got my doctorate at 55, and I thought that was the biggest hurdle to deal with, but I did it. The sky’s the limit, just go for it. If you think you’ll fail, it’s all good,” said Cash. —KBK, GMA Integrated News