This Hollywood Star & Mom of Two Was Called ‘Too Old to Wear a Bikini’ – Here’s How She Looks Now at 57

In her late 20s, she could wear a bikini without thinking twice. Years later, she lost that confidence and chose to fix it. By her 50s, she returned, unfazed by judgment and in control of her image.

This icon made headlines when she underwent multiple plastic surgeries in a single day, determined to feel confident in a swimsuit again. The attention was immediate, especially when she stepped out in a bold red look that echoed her iconic TV days.

But as she continued to share bikini photos into her 50s, praise gave way to criticism. Some said she was too old to dress that way. Instead of retreating, she chose to keep going, challenging ageist double standards with confidence and control over her image.

The Red Swimsuit That Defined an Era

She was in her late twenties when she joined the cast of “Baywatch” as Donna Marco, a lifeguard introduced during the show’s seventh season. The role came with a uniform, a red, high-cut swimsuit that would come to define her public image.

The design was a visual staple of the series, known for its sleek fit and bold color, and it quickly became one of the most memorable elements associated with the show. Over two seasons, her appearance in that red swimsuit became a fixture of the series’ promotional material.

It marked her as one of the faces of a franchise watched by millions worldwide. But while that image remained frozen in time, her life off-screen was about to take a different direction.

Leaving the Spotlight to Raise a Family

After her time on “Baywatch” ended in 1998, she put her acting career on hold. That same year, she married a well-known musician. Their blended family included her son from a previous relationship and his three children. In 2001, they welcomed a daughter together.

For several years, she remained out of the public eye. During that time, she focused on raising the children while her husband returned to touring and rebuilding his music career. She would later reveal that she regretted giving up her professional momentum.

While she remained proud of raising her family, returning to the industry after so many years away was not easy. Her marriage ended in 2007, nearly a decade after it began. When she later reflected on it, she said the relationship had involved a lot of difficult moments that she chose not to speak about publicly.

What she did share was that the experience had left its mark. By the time she appeared on an episode of “Million Dollar Matchmaker” in 2017, she had been divorced for over a decade. During that episode, she said she still had emotional walls up from her past.

She explained that she had been burned many times and no longer allowed people to get too close. Her past relationship had shaped how she handled personal connections. The actress didn’t trust her judgment anymore as she often fell for people who presented well in the beginning but eventually revealed themselves to be different.

As a result, she avoided dating altogether. She explained that if someone wanted to be with her, they would have to prove it was better than being single. That same year, she also spoke publicly about how her body had started to change and the discomfort she felt because of it.

She Underwent Four Cosmetic Procedures in a Single Day

Decades after she confidently rocked the iconic red bikini, the “Baywatch” star started feeling self-conscious about her body. At 49, she spoke openly about the changes she was experiencing, including loose skin that made her uncomfortable in her own clothes.

“I feel really uncomfortable with the loose skin that hangs,” she said. “I can almost tuck my skin [from my stomach] into my pants like a shirt, and it’s not a good feeling.” To address those concerns, she consulted Dr. Michael Obeng, a plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills.

Together, they planned four procedures to be done in a single day: liposuction on her stomach, arms, and back; a tummy tuck; arm lifts; and a butt enhancement. Inside Edition documented the day of surgery. In the hours before the procedure, she admitted to feeling anxious.

“I am panicking,” she said. “What if my heart stops?” Despite the nerves, she followed through. During liposuction, about two liters of fat were removed and reinjected into her backside to make it rounder. Dr. Obeng also tightened the skin around her abdominal muscles and removed several inches of excess skin.

The operation took four and a half hours and cost $55,000. Afterward, she was wrapped in compression garments to manage swelling and assist healing. Nine weeks after surgery, she returned to the beach for a photoshoot.

Wearing a red one-piece that resembled the swimsuit she once wore on “Baywatch,” she posed confidently for the camera. “It feels like a trip back in time,” she said during the shoot. The red suit, the beach setting, and her figure echoed her earlier on-screen image.

However, this time, the photos were the result of her own decision to take back control of how she looked and felt. A few years after that, she posted another bikini photo online, and the reaction was immediate.

She Was Told She Was ‘Too Old’ to Wear a Bikini

Despite reaching her goal and returning to swimwear confidently, not everyone was supportive. After posting a video of herself in a patriotic bikini for the Fourth of July, she received a wave of comments criticizing her appearance.

Some said she was “too old to wear a bikini,” “classier than that,” or “desperate.” She addressed the criticism directly in a follow-up Instagram post, where she shared a photo of herself squatting on a coffee table in a white bikini.

Alongside the image, she wrote, “Quite a few women complained about the 4th of July video I posted in a red white & blue bikini.[..] Let me tell you something that might surprise you. I can actually wear and do literally whatever I want. On that note, here is me in a bikini squatting on a coffee table ❤️”

Supportive comments poured in soon after. “They sound jealous to me! You look fantastic!” one user replied. Others added, “Wow,” and “So hot.” Rather than let the criticism define her, she found a new space where she could take full control over how she presented herself.

OnlyFans, Confidence, and Staying in Control

Following the criticism over her bikini posts, she joined OnlyFans. At the time, she said the decision was a direct response to those telling her she shouldn’t be wearing bikinis anymore. “I thought I was gonna be on there a couple of weeks or a month and then, you know,” she explained.

What began as a short-term move turned into something more permanent. She said the platform became a second business and a space where she felt free from online judgment. Unlike many celebrities on the platform, she clarified that she ran the account herself.

“I spend a few hours a day personally on there, chatting with people. And I keep it very clean,” she clarified. She also said she was enjoying it. “I’m having a ball and making great money,” she said. “I should have done this years ago.”

In 2021, she shared that she had transformed her hair back to it’s natural color, writing, “Feeling happy, strong, and empowered today. It’s a beautiful day to be alive.” While maintaining an online presence, Donna D’Errico also began taking on new acting projects and speaking publicly about the causes that mattered most to her.

Staying Camera-Ready in Her 50s

She has never claimed to age naturally without assistance. In an interview, she openly shared that her youthful appearance comes from a combination of healthy habits and cosmetic help. “There’s little tweaks, there’s little things, there’s help—there’s Botox, there’s some fillers, there’s, right, you know—nips, there’s little tucks,” she said.

At 52, when asked how she still looked like she did in her “Baywatch” days, she joked about the effects of time. “Yeah, but you know, over decades, I guess the elastic starts breaking down. It’s not cute,” she said. D’Errico also confirmed that yes, she had put the swimsuit back on again.

Her public presentation continues to draw attention, and she’s remained candid about the effort that goes into maintaining it. But while her appearance often grabs headlines, it’s not the only thing she’s chosen to be vocal about.

Advocacy, Cooking, and Everyday Life

Outside of entertainment, D’Errico has been active in animal rights advocacy. She has used her platform to speak out against the South Korean dog meat trade, calling it “disgusting” and “inhumane.” She described how dogs are raised on farms solely for consumption and expressed disbelief that the practice still exists.

“These are companion animals. They’re pets,” she said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, D’Errico also began sharing her vegan cooking with fans. While at home, she started filming herself preparing plant-based recipes and posting them online.

It became a way for her to stay connected with followers and share a part of her routine. Much of her day-to-day life included time with her pet parrot, Charlie—a then-19-year-old Maximilian pionus. Over the years, she has shared glimpses of her personal life.

Her Bond with Her Children

D’Errico, 57, has two children: a son named Rhyan and a daughter named Frankie. In a Facebook post, she referred to Rhyan as “the most important man in my life,” calling him “kind, gentle, funny, smart, talented… not a deceptive or mean bone in his body.”

She added, “I’m so blessed to have him in my life and cherish all our memories past and yet to come.” Years back, D’Errico spoke about Frankie, revealing she was a full-time college student and also worked as a jewelry designer.

D’Errico has shared glimpses of their time together, including a photo captioned, “Out lunching with my favorite daughter yesterday in BHills.” She has also occasionally spoken about her children in interviews.

When asked about the possibility of a “Baywatch” reboot, D’Errico said Frankie had been approached about playing her and was open to the idea.