5 Fabulous Photos of SI Swimsuit Issue Cover Model Martha Stewart in the Dominican Republic

The award-winning TV host, author and entrepreneur landed one of four covers this year.

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

Martha Stewart made history as the oldest model to ever grace the magazine’s cover with her 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue feature. The Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia founder and best-selling author hopes that her photos will inspire women all over the world to truly think about age as just a number.

“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 and see something really gorgeous,” the 81-year-old said about what went through her mind before her photo shoot in the Dominican Republic.

View Martha Stewart’s full 2023 SI Swimsuit gallery here.

The mom of one and grandmother of two is constantly working on improving and expanding the Martha Stewart empire and finding the best ways to complete any task, create a craft or cook a dish.

“I do not believe in just emptying your closets because it’s the thing to do, I believe in careful editing. I believe in careful organization,” she said. “And I think that that’s what appealed to the vast number of my fans as being the creator of a vast amount of useful, evergreen content.”

The Emmy Award-winning TV host is proud of the content she has created and continues to produce—content that celebrates “making a home really the center of a life.”

Below are five of our favorite photos from her 2023 cover photo shoot in the Dominican Republic.

Ruven Afanador/Sports Illustrated

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.

Ruven Afanador/Sports Illustrated

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.

Ruven Afanador/Sports Illustrated

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.

Ruven Afanador/Sports Illustrated

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

Ruven Afanador/Sports Illustrated

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

Get ready for the hottest event of the year! Buy your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable weekend of glamour, beauty and fun in Florida for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit launch party! 

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