Swimsuit

2023 SI Swimsuit Cover Star Martha Stewart on the Beaches of the Dominican Republic

We’re still not over these eight photos of the best-selling author and entrepreneur in this year’s issue.

Cara O’Bleness

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart was photographed by Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic.

Martha Stewart made history when she landed one of four covers of the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue. At 81, the entrepreneur, mother, grandmother and best-selling author is the oldest cover model in the publication’s history. Stewart posed for photographer Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic.

“I thought, ‘This is kind of historic’ and ‘I better look really good because I want other women to feel that they could also be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.’ But I’m telling you, it’s very inspiring to take a look at a [picture by photographer] Ruven [Afanador] of Martha Stewart in the ocean here at Casa de Campo and see something really gorgeous,” Stewart told SI Swimsuit while on location in the Caribbean.

While the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia founder also added that she doesn’t particularly think about her age very often, she expressed the hope that her magazine feature would inspire women of all ages to embrace themselves just as they are.

“Legacy is what you’re doing right now, tomorrow, next week, the week after,” she noted. “Keep it going for as long as you can because it might be better than anything you’ve done before.”

Below are eight of our favorite photos Afanador captured of Stewart in the Dominican Republic.

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Martha Stewart was photographed by Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Monday Swimwear. Cover-up by TORSO CREATIONS. Earrings by Anita Ko. Ring by Jacob & Co. Towel by Zimmermann.

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Martha Stewart was photographed by Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Monday Swimwear.

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Martha Stewart was photographed by Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit and sarong by Norma Kamali.

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Martha Stewart was photographed by Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Eres provided by Moda Operandi. Cover-up by TORSO CREATIONS. Earrings by Cicada.

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Martha Stewart was photographed by Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Isa Boulder. Hat by Eric Javits. Bracelets and earrings by Anita Ko.

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Martha Stewart was photographed by Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Body Glove. Necklace by Cicada.

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Martha Stewart was photographed by Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Anemos provided by Moda Operandi. Necklace by Anita Ko.

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Martha Stewart was photographed by Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Body Glove. Sunglasses by Gucci provided by Moda Operandi. Necklace by Cicada.

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Cara O’Bleness

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.