When the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue dropped, the internet basically had a collective meltdown. It wasn't because of a new supermodel or a viral TikTok star. It was because of an 81-year-old woman in a white Monday Swimwear one-piece and a giant orange cover-up. Honestly, seeing Martha Stewart on the cover of SI was the kind of cultural moment that makes you stop scrolling and just stare.
People didn't just look at the photo. They analyzed it. They fought about it. Was it empowering? Was it too much Photoshop? Was she trying too hard? The discourse was exhausting.
But behind the glossy finish and the azure waters of the Dominican Republic, there’s a story about a woman who has spent her entire life refusing to be told "no" or "not yet." Martha Stewart didn't just land a cover; she claimed a space that society usually reserves for women sixty years her junior. And she did it while looking like she actually enjoyed herself.
The Reality of that 81-Year-Old "Bikini Body"
Let's be real for a second. You don't just wake up at 81 and decide to pose for a swimsuit magazine. Martha worked for it. Hard.
In interviews after the reveal, she was surprisingly candid about the prep. She didn't starve herself—that’s not her style—but she did cut out bread and pasta for a few months. She hit the Pilates mat three or four times a week. She even gave up her beloved evening cocktails. No alcohol for two months? That’s dedication.
What actually happened at Casa de Campo
The shoot took place at the Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in the Dominican Republic. It wasn't some quick 30-minute session. It was a grueling, "long, long fashion day" as Martha described it. She cycled through ten different looks. Imagine an 81-year-old woman jumping in and out of the water, dealing with polo ponies parading around her (yes, really), and keeping her composure while a crew of people prodded and pulled at her clothes.
- Photographer: Ruven Afanador (who actually shot her back in the 90s).
- Location: The Dominican Republic.
- Vibe: "Threw modesty out the window," according to Martha herself.
She was clear about one thing: she didn't want cover-ups. She hates caftans. She wanted to show off her décolleté. There’s something incredibly bold about a woman of her stature saying, "I'm not hiding."
Why the Martha Stewart SI Cover Still Matters
Ageism is a weird beast. We tell women to "age gracefully," which is often just code for "disappear quietly." Martha did the opposite. By appearing on that cover alongside Megan Fox and Kim Petras, she basically shattered the idea that there’s an expiration date on relevance or beauty.
Sure, the critics came out in droves. People on Reddit and Twitter pointed to the obvious professional lighting, the strategic posing, and the inevitable post-production touch-ups. Some argued it set an unrealistic standard for 80-year-olds who don't have a personal chef and a Pilates instructor.
They aren't entirely wrong. Martha has resources. She has the best skincare, the best doctors, and the best lighting money can buy. But focusing only on the "fake" parts misses the point. The "win" wasn't that she looked 25; it’s that she had the confidence to be 81 and present.
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The Snoop Dogg Factor
One of the funniest details from the whole saga was that she kept it a secret from her bestie, Snoop Dogg. She was "chastised" by the magazine and told not to tell anyone. When the news finally broke, the world found out that she had officially unseated Maye Musk (who was 74 when she modeled for the cover) as the oldest model in the magazine's history.
The Technical Side of the Shot
If you look closely at the martha stewart si cover, you’ll see the fingerprints of Ruven Afanador. He’s known for high-drama, sculptural photography. He didn't just take a "pretty" picture; he captured a woman in her power.
Martha’s skin looked luminous, but she credited that to years of religious skincare and a spray tan she got a few days before the flight. She admitted she was "shaking" before the big reveal on the Today show. Even for a woman who has built a multi-billion dollar empire and survived a stint in prison, this felt high-stakes. It was a different kind of vulnerability.
Practical Lessons from Martha’s Moment
Whether you love the cover or think it's a bunch of marketing fluff, there are actual takeaways here for how we think about our own lives and aging. Martha’s mottos—"When you're through changing, you're through" and "Learn something new every day"—aren't just cheesy Instagram captions. She actually lives them.
How to approach your own "Challenges"
- Ditch the "I'm too old" narrative. Martha was asked to do this in her 80s. Most people would have laughed and said, "Maybe thirty years ago." She said yes because it was a challenge she hadn't met yet.
- Prep is everything. Whether it’s a big presentation or a physical goal, the discipline Martha showed with her diet and Pilates is a reminder that confidence often comes from the work you do when no one is watching.
- Control your own image. Martha worked with a photographer she trusted. She chose suits that made her feel good. She didn't let the "Sports Illustrated" brand dictate how she should look—she dictated how she would show up.
The martha stewart si cover wasn't just a magazine sale tactic. It was a reminder that the most interesting thing about a person isn't their birth year, but their willingness to keep showing up. As we look back on it years later, it remains a benchmark for how we view the "third act" of life.
If you're feeling stuck or like your best years are behind you, take a page out of Martha's book. Eat your greens, do your Pilates, and if someone asks you to do something slightly terrifying and historic, just say yes.
Next Steps for Your Own Health and Vitality:
If Martha’s journey inspired you, start by auditing your daily movement. You don't need a professional trainer to begin a low-impact routine like Pilates or yoga, which Martha credits for her strength. Focus on consistency over intensity—aiming for 20 minutes of intentional stretching or core work three times a week can drastically improve your posture and confidence, regardless of what year is on your driver's license.