The Martha Stewart in Swimsuit Moment: What People Get Wrong About That Iconic Cover

Age is just a number. Yeah, we’ve all heard that cliché a thousand times, usually on a cheesy inspirational poster or a greeting card. But then Martha Stewart—the woman who literally taught the world how to fold a fitted sheet and bake the perfect soufflé—decided to pose for the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. Suddenly, that cliché felt a lot more like a radical manifesto.

At 81 years old, Martha became the oldest cover model in the magazine's history. She didn't just show up; she basically broke the internet. It wasn't just a photo shoot; it was a total cultural reset. Honestly, looking back on it now, it’s clear that seeing Martha Stewart in swimsuit attire was less about the fabric and more about the sheer audacity of being visible, vibrant, and unapologetically sexy in your ninth decade of life.

The Morning the World Stopped Scrolling

When the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue dropped, the reaction was instant. Total chaos. People were used to seeing Martha in linen aprons or maybe some sensible gardening clogs, not splashing around the Dominican Republic in a white Monday Swimwear plunging one-piece.

She was joined that year by Megan Fox, Kim Petras, and Brooks Nader. Talk about a powerhouse lineup. But Martha was the one everyone was texting about. It wasn’t just a "good for her" moment. It was a "wait, how is she doing that?" moment.

She looked incredible. Healthy. Strong. Glowing.

The photographer was Ruven Afanador, and he captured her in nine different looks. We're talking everything from a metallic silver Saint Laurent suit to a red-hot Eres number (though Martha later admitted she wasn’t actually the biggest fan of the red one). She told People magazine that the timing was kinda funny—she joked it should have happened 30 years ago. But seeing her do it at 81? That’s what made it legendary.

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What It Actually Took to Get Shoot-Ready

Don't think for a second she just woke up and strolled onto that beach. Martha is nothing if not disciplined. When she got the call in November 2022 for a January 2023 shoot, she had exactly two months to prep.

She didn't starve herself. She’s Martha Stewart; she likes her food. But she did make some pretty serious pivots:

• No Alcohol: She cut out the booze entirely for two months. No nightly glass of wine, nothing.
• Pilates Obsession: She bumped up her Pilates sessions to three or four times a week.
• The "No Bread" Rule: She stayed away from pasta and bread leading up to the shoot.
• Green Juice Power: Her morning routine stayed consistent—that famous green juice (cucumber, celery, parsley, and ginger).

She was very open about the fact that she wanted to feel "prepared." She’s a perfectionist. You don't build a multi-billion dollar empire by winging it, and you certainly don't pose for a global swimsuit cover by winging it either.

Why This Wasn't Just "A Thirst Trap"

A lot of people point to her 2020 pool selfie as the beginning of this era. You remember the one—the "flirty pout" in her East Hampton pool that went viral during the pandemic? She was 78 then. She basically invented the "Senior Thirst Trap."

But the Sports Illustrated cover was different. It was formal. It was an institution.

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Some critics tried to write it off as "diet culture" or complained about retouching. Look, it’s a major fashion magazine; every photo gets a polish. But Martha was adamant that she didn't want to be "all covered up" in caftans. She wanted real bathing suits. She wanted to show off what she called her "good décolleté."

There's something sorta rebellious about that. In a society that tells women to disappear after 50, she stood up and said, "I’m 81, and I’m the main character."

The Snoop Dogg Factor

We can't talk about Martha without mentioning her bestie, Snoop Dogg. Before the cover came out, she had to keep it a secret—even from him. She was "chastised" by the magazine staff not to leak the news.

When it finally hit, Snoop’s reaction was exactly what you’d expect. He’s always been her biggest cheerleader. Their friendship is proof that the most interesting version of Martha Stewart is the one that refuses to stay in the "homemaker" box. She’s a mogul, a former inmate, a rapper’s best friend, and now, a swimsuit model.

The Legacy of the Shoot

What most people get wrong is thinking this was just about vanity. If you listen to her interviews with the Today show or The Guardian, she talks about "fearlessness."

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She says her mother was her role model—a woman who wore a two-piece after having six kids and stayed active until she passed at 93. Martha is just carrying that torch. She’s showing us that "old" doesn't have to mean "over."

Is it realistic for everyone to look like Martha at 81? Probably not. She has access to the best facials, trainers, and chefs in the world. But the spirit of it—the idea that you can take on a massive challenge like a martha stewart in swimsuit shoot when most people are looking for a comfortable recliner—that’s the part that sticks.

Actionable Takeaways from Martha’s Routine

If you want to channel a bit of that Martha energy, you don't need a private island in the Dominican Republic. You can steal her "good living" philosophy right now:

1. Prioritize Strength over Skinny: Martha’s focus on Pilates wasn't about weight; it was about core strength and posture. It's why she looked so tall and confident in those photos.
2. The 80/20 Clean Life: She lives "cleanly" most of the time—green juice, fresh veggies from her garden—which makes those two-month "sprints" for a big event much easier.
3. Never Stop Evolving: Her motto is "When you’re through changing, you’re through." Try something that scares you.
4. Skincare is a Long Game: She’s been doing facials and using high-quality products for decades. You can't fix 40 years of neglect in two weeks. Consistency is the secret sauce.

The next time you feel like you're "too old" to start a new hobby or wear that bold outfit, just think about Martha Stewart. She waited eight decades to become a swimsuit model. What are you waiting for?

To keep that energy going, you might want to look into low-impact strength training like Pilates or start incorporating a nutrient-dense green juice into your morning routine to boost your skin's natural glow from the inside out.