5 Photos We’ll Never Get Over From Martha Stewart’s Iconic SI Swim Cover Photoshoot

The TV host, author and entrepreneur stunned in the Dominican Republic.

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

Four months after Martha Stewart landed her iconic SI Swimsuit cover, we still find ourselves thinking and talking about the historic moment. The 82-year-old founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia was photographed by Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic for the 2023 issue, and in doing so, became the oldest person to be featured in the magazine.

The Emmy Award–winning TV show host and best-selling author was a model in her teenage years before becoming the lifestyle guru she is today. She’s since built an empire, and fans rely on her for everything from recipes to lifestyle tips.

“I do not believe in just emptying your closets because it’s the thing to do, I believe in careful editing. I believe and careful organization. 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,” she said. “I scour Instagram daily and even TikTok because I’d like to see if there is a better way to do something. And if [there] is, I will adopt it and I will fix it. It’s quite an amazing accomplishment I think to have created such beautiful content, such useful content and to celebrate the home and homekeeping in the way that we’ve celebrated it making a home really the center of a life.”

Stewart, who grew up in New Jersey, is a mother to one daughter, Alexis, and grandmother to Jude and Truman.

Below are five unforgettable photos from her SI Swimsuit debut in the Dominican Republic.

Ruven Afanador/Sports Illustrated

Martha Stewart was photographed by Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Zimmermann. Sarong by Alix Pinho. Earrings 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 Monday Swimwear.

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.

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