Martha Stewart just became the oldest model in the history of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue after the magazine released one of four covers for the 2023 edition.
The 81-year-old TV personality/businesswoman/author is shown wearing a white swimsuit with a gold wrap.
“Usually I’m motivated by pay. But this time I was motivated by showing people that a woman my age could still look good, feel good, be good,” Stewart said. “I thought that this is kind of historic and that I better look really good.”
“That’s one of my mottos, when you’re through changing, you’re through,” she added. “Change is very good. Evolution is very good, just trying new things.”
Stewart also told NBC’s “Today” show that it “was a challenge” to be on the cover at her age.
The home entrepreneur said she hopes other women will be inspired after seeing her on the cover.
SI Swimsuit magazine editor MJ Day called Stewart “a legend” and defended her choice to feature her on the cover.
“Never in her life has she let her circumstances dictate her outcome,” Day said. “She’s changed with the times—always one step ahead, it seems—to build a wide-reaching business empire.”
Martha Stewart is continuing to make her mark — this time on the cover of the 2023 SI Swimsuit issue!https://t.co/WqY9v7EwQR
— Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit) May 15, 2023
“While the industry wavers on its arbitrary notion of beauty, our issue has stayed the course, showcasing the women of today, the women shaping the future.”
The very first SI Swimsuit issue hit the store shelves in 1964 and, over time, has featured fashion models, influencers, and celebrities from all over the world. Female athletes like former UFC fighter Ronda Rousey and former Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn have been shown in recent years.
Elon Musk’s mother, Maye, was previously the oldest model to appear on an SI Swimsuit cover. She was featured in the 2022 issue at age 74, Yahoo.com reported.
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