It is funny how one image can basically freeze a person in time for the rest of their life. For Marla Maples, that image is often a bikini. Specifically, that 1985 shot from her Miss Hawaiian Tropic days. You know the one—the high-cut legs, the big 80s hair, the Georgia-peach smile that eventually caught the eye of a future president.
But if you look at Marla Maples today, in 2026, she’s almost unrecognizable from that tabloid caricature. Honestly, she’s 62 now, and she looks just as fit as she did in her twenties, but with a vibe that's way more "spiritual guru" than "pageant queen." People still search for marla maples in a bikini because they want to see the "scandalous" past, but the real story is how she’s maintained that physique for four decades without the standard Hollywood shortcuts.
The Bikini Photo That Changed Everything
Let’s go back. 1985. Marla was a small-town girl from Cohutta, Georgia. She wins the Miss Hawaiian Tropic pageant. Fast forward to the early 90s, and that specific photo becomes the centerpiece of one of the biggest tabloid frenzies in history.
It wasn't just about a swimsuit; it was about the transition from a "secret" to the most famous woman in New York. Even Donald Trump himself was caught on camera years later (remember that 2016 taco bowl tweet?) with an old magazine featuring Marla in a bikini sitting right on his desk. It’s an image that refuses to die.
But here is what most people get wrong: Marla wasn’t just a "model." She was an athlete. In high school, she was a basketball star and homecoming queen. That muscle tone people see in those vintage photos? That was pure Georgia athleticism, not just lighting and poses.
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Why Marla Maples in a Bikini Still Trends in 2026
You've probably noticed that fitness influencers are obsessed with "longevity" right now. Marla was doing it before it was cool. While everyone else in the 90s was doing high-impact aerobics and eating fat-free snack cakes, Marla was already deep into yoga and organic living.
She basically pioneered the "MAHA" (Make America Healthy Again) energy long before it became a political talking point. Her 1998 VHS tape, Journey to Fitness, is actually a cult classic now. It wasn't about "getting skinny." It was about "visualization." She used to fall asleep every night imagining herself running down a beach in a white gown, feeling lean and strong.
Kinda woo-woo? Maybe. But look at her results.
Her Current "Secret" Routine
If you see her on a beach in Florida or California today, she’s still rocking the swimwear. How? She doesn't do Botox or fillers—she’s been very vocal about that. Instead, she sticks to a strict, almost religious wellness regimen:
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- The Diet: She’s "mostly-vegan." She’s been dairy-free since she was a teenager. No gluten, no processed sugar, and she keeps it "Kosher-style."
- The Water: She’s obsessed with alkaline water and juicing to keep her body from getting too "acidic."
- The Movement: It’s a mix. She does Iyengar yoga for alignment, plays competitive tennis (and recently beach tennis), and she even does backflips on the trampoline to keep her lymphatic system moving.
The Mental Shift: From Tabloid to Teacher
There’s a reason Marla Maples isn’t just a "socialite" anymore. She’s spent the last decade reinventing herself as a speaker and spiritual practitioner. She’s studied Kabbalah for years. She’s released albums of "transformational energy" music featuring the Dalai Lama.
When people search for those bikini photos, they’re usually looking for a piece of 90s nostalgia. But for Marla, those photos represent a time when her private life was anything but private. She’s talked about how she had to use meditation just to survive the "overwhelming" pressure of the media back then.
Today, she’s more likely to be found at a Global Wellness Forum or working with groups like Children's Health Defense than at a high-society gala. She’s traded the "glitter" for what she calls "true gold"—inner peace and physical health.
What We Can Learn From the Marla Maples Aesthetic
Honestly, the takeaway from looking at marla maples in a bikini across the decades isn't about vanity. It’s about consistency.
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She proves that you don't need to "age out" of feeling confident in your own skin. By sticking to a clean diet for 40 years and prioritizing her mental health, she’s managed to bypass the "faded star" trope. She’s 62, she’s single, she’s "emotionally settled," and she’s arguably in the best shape of her life.
If you want to age like Marla, the math is pretty simple, though not necessarily easy. Cut the dairy, move your body every single day, and stop worrying about what the tabloids—or the neighbors—think.
Actionable Insights for Longevity:
- Prioritize pH Balance: Like Marla, focus on "alkalizing" foods (leafy greens, lemons, cruciferous veggies) to reduce inflammation.
- Mix Your Impact: Don't just lift weights. Incorporate yoga or swimming to keep joints supple while maintaining muscle tone.
- Visual Overhaul: Marla’s "visualization" technique isn't just for athletes. Spend five minutes before bed picturing your healthiest self; it bridges the gap between intention and action.
- Natural Over Synthetic: Consider her "less is more" approach to skincare. Focus on organic serums and letting the skin "breathe" rather than heavy-duty interventions.
The fascination with her swimwear photos might never go away, but the woman behind the image has moved far beyond the pageant stage. She’s a living example that your "prime" doesn't have an expiration date.