Martha Stewart has a hot new magazine cover to add to her illustrious resume: the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
At 81, Stewart stunned in a range of designer swimwear and cover-ups, oversized hats and opulent accessories as she made SI Swimsuit history by becoming its oldest cover model.
The Emmy winning TV show host, bestselling author and founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia was photographed in the Dominican Republic by Ruven Afanador.
Stewart is certainly no stranger to the spotlight. Long before she became a household name she modeled for Chanel and Unilever.
"This time I was motivated by showing people my age can still look good, feel good, be good," Stewart said in a video for SI.
Stewart dressed in 10 different bathing suit outfits, which she said was "a little exhausting."
"When I heard that I was going to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, I thought, 'Oh, well, that's pretty good!' I'm gonna be the oldest person I think ever on the cover," she said. "And I don't think about age very much but I thought that this is kind of historic and I better look really good."
She continued, "I want other women to feel that they could also be on the cover."
MORE: Sneak peek of Martha Stewart's new Las Vegas restaurantWhile on location shooting for SI, Stewart shared her perspective on jet-setting: "I love to travel. My favorite place to go is the place I haven't been yet."
She also offered up her two life mottos with the magazine. First, "when you're through changing, you're through." And second, "Learn something new every day."
SI Swimsuit editor-in-chief MJ Day said in a statement that "Martha Stewart is a legend. The definition of a great female entrepreneur who built a dynasty against insurmountable odds."
Day continued, "These women, alongside our other models, refuse to allow themselves to be limited by existing societal norms and are incredible examples on how to harness talent, passion, persistence, perseverance, fortitude, curiosity and unabashed desire to evolve.”
In addition to Stewart, this year's issue of powerful women includes three additional cover stars Megan Fox, Kim Petras and Brooks Nader, along with 14 returning models and 8 "rookies" who are new to the magazine spread.
“Our goal with the 2023 issue is to continue to evoke captivating and thought-provoking conversations,” Day said. “While the industry wavers on its arbitrary notion of beauty, our issue has stayed the course, showcasing the women of today, the women shaping the future. This year, we’re featuring an extremely diverse group of women starting with our cover models, who are collectively the most unapologetic women from different walks of life who continue to forge their own paths on their own terms.”
The rest of the roster was rounded out with Camille Kostek, Christen Harper, Duckie Thot, Georgina Burke, Hailey Clauson, Jasmine Sanders, Kamie Crawford, Katie Austin, Leyna Bloom, Lorena Durán, Marquita Pring, Olivia Ponton, Padma Lakshmi and Yumi Nu. The rookies include Ellie Thumann, Jennifer Atilémile, Lauren Chan, Madisin Rian, Mady Dewey, Melissa Wood-Tepperberg, Nicole Williams English and Sixtine; plus college athletes Olivia Dunne and Angel Reese from LSU are also featured.
