Martha Stewart, at the age of 81, has become the oldest cover model for Sports Illustrated’s annual swimsuit edition. She joins three other cover models: actor Megan Fox, model Brooks Nader, and musician Kim Petras. The magazine aimed to celebrate powerful women who live without limitations. Stewart expressed her excitement about being the oldest person ever to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated, acknowledging the historic nature of the moment and the importance of looking good.
Photographed in the Dominican Republic by Ruven Afanador, Stewart shared that she believes her friend and collaborator, Snoop Dogg, will think her cover is fantastic. With this shoot, Stewart surpasses Maye Musk, Elon Musk’s mother, who posed for the swimsuit issue at the age of 74 in 2022. On Instagram, Stewart shared her motto of embracing change and challenging oneself at any stage of life.
Known as the “OG of influencers” by Sports Illustrated, Stewart gained fame in the 1980s through cookbooks, television appearances, and her success as a chef. She has written numerous books, hosted cooking shows, and launched her own lifestyle magazine and product lines. Sports Illustrated’s editor-in-chief, MJ Day, praised Stewart’s ability to adapt to the times and build a successful business empire.
Kim Petras, one of the cover models, is the second trans woman to appear on the Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover, following Leyna Bloom in 2021. Petras emphasized that life is about what one makes of it, regardless of gender or sexuality.