Who says the golden years can’t be carnal and sensual?

Iris Chacón, whose curves ruled the Latin world when she was “La Vedette de América” (“America’s Showgirl”) in the 1980s, was honored by the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly at its 35th annual gala at the Hilton last Friday.

The 59-year-old Chacón — whose TV ads for car coolant, showcasing her well-endowed derriere in a revealing leotard, are Puerto Rican pop-culture classics — was honored with a Nuestro Orgullo award along with Mexican actor Fernando Allende.

“The truth is she still looks despampanente [stunning],” said Luis Miranda, managing partner of MirRam Group, who attended the event. “Apoteósica [Tremendous].”

Wearing a black gown highlighting a generous cleavage and abundant long, red hair, Chacón spoke and later sang for Friday’s 350 guests, who included Mayor Bloomberg and city Controller William Thompson.

Chacón said she was honored with the recognition from the nonprofit serving Latino seniors, particularly because she was brought up by her grandmother, said the institute’s Angel Santini.

And she revealed the once-unthinkable: that she is about to become a grandmother herself. Her only daughter, Katiria, is expecting her first child.
Chacón’s legendary shake-that-booty dances were momentarily relived in the 2007 film “El Cantante” when Jennifer López let it loose, Chacón style, in front of the TV in an effort to take her on-screen (and off-screen) husband, Marc Anthony’s, eyes off Chacón’s show.

Chacón wrapped up the night with a rendition of her hit “Si Tu Boquita Fuera,” which starts, “If your little mouth was made of chocolate, I would spend all my time whipping it and whipping it ...” — except that in Spanish, it rhymes.

mjunco@nydailynews.com