Penelope Cruz Is Esquire's "Sexiest Woman Alive" -- And We Can See Why!

The 40-year-old actress proves she's worthy of the title, showing off her enviable body in a plunging one-piece swimsuit in a series of sexy snapshots for the mag.

Penelope has kept a low profile in recent years, after starring in films including "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," "Vanilla Sky" and "Pirates of the Caribbean."

She declined to comment to the magazine about her actor-husband, Javier Bardem, as well as their two children: Leo, 3, and Luna, 1. "That is for us," she said of her family.

Cruz did, however, offer a little insight into how her career has changed over the years.

"I've made it hard for me sometimes, especially in my teens and twenties," she admitted. "I had an attraction to drama. Most of us have that, especially if you are an artist -- you feel like you are tempted to explore the darkness. I could not be less interested now. For me, the most attractive, charming, cool, fun, interesting thing -- how could I call it? A plan."

So, what's next for the sexy star? She is set to appear in the Spanish-language film "Ma Ma" and in "Grimsby" with Sacha Baron Cohen.

Cruz is the 10th woman to earn the "Sexist Woman Alive" title, following Scarlett Johansson, Mila Kunis, Angelina Jolie, Rihanna, Minka Kelly, Halle Berry, Kate Beckinsale, Charlize Theron, and Jessica Biel.