Martha Stewart, 81, is featured on the ‘historic’ Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover.

On May 15, culinary legend Martha Stewart appeared on TODAY to share news on her newest project. This project is not a new company, a compilation of cleaning advice, or even a well created recipe.

Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie were informed by Martha Stewart that she is one of this year’s cover models for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which hits newsstands on May 18.

Renowned photographer Ruven Afanador captured Martha Stewart in the Dominican Republic. Megan Fox, Kim Petras, and Brooks Nader are the other three cover stars for this year, but Stewart, at 81, is now the oldest cover star in SI Swimsuit’s history.

Martha Stewart in Swimsuit

Martha Stewart added, giggling on TODAY as she stood next to her ultra-glam cover photo with dishevelled hair and a light, summery vibe, “I like that picture.” I’m shaking a little bit since it seems strange to travel to an island and then change into nine different bathing costumes in one day in front of everyone, but everything worked out okay.

Hoda said, “It worked out more than OK. She enquired of the homemaking tycoon how the lovely cover was created. Martha Stewart informed the co-anchors that she needed to be prepared to pose by the end of January when the concept was first out to her in November of last year.

Stewart laughed and remarked, “You know, it was kind of a request I have never received before. And it was difficult for me to be on the cover at my age. I believe I was up to the task.

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The grandmother of two, wearing a bikini by Monday Swimwear, a cover-up by Torso Creations, and accessories by Anita Ko and Jacob & Co., relaxes on a seat draped in a blanket with the natural elegance and refined style she is known for. It makes sense considering how successful she was as a model early in her career since it shows in everything she does.

Martha Stewart claims she “didn’t starve herself” but instead prepared for the cover photo by eliminating bread and spaghetti in addition to working out in the weeks leading up to the shoot. “I’m still going to Pilates every other day because it’s so great,” Martha Stewart adds. “I live a clean life anyway — good diet, good exercise, healthy skin care, and all that.”

Along with the cover, additional beachy shots from the shoot include Stewart lounging on a beach with horses running behind her, enjoying a martini cocktail in a roomy cabana lined with palm trees and ferns, and more. Although there isn’t any food in the photo session, Stewart is obviously serving in a picture of her floating in the water.

“For me, it is a testament to good living, and I think that all of us should think about good living, successful living, and not about ageing,” said Stewart. The process of becoming older is very dull.

Another well-known figure in the culinary industry, Padma Lakshmi, 52, who will also be featured in this year’s SI Swimsuit Issue, shared similar opinion.

In a teaser video for the issue, Lakshmi remarked, “I have never felt better with myself. My boobs were definitely a little higher in earlier years of my life, and my thighs may have been slimmer. “I hope they perceive a whole woman with all my subtleties, paradoxes, and perspectives. If you gave me all the money in the world, I wouldn’t return to my 20s.

In a behind-the-scenes promotional film, Stewart claims that landing a bikini cover was a rare chance and not motivated by her typical professional goals.

Stewart tells it like it is in the video’s first sentence, “Usually I’m motivated by pay.” But this time, I wanted to demonstrate to everyone that an older lady can still look nice, feel well, and behave well.

Stewart is seen in the video getting ready for the picture shoot and getting her cosmetics done while standing on the coastline of the shooting site. For one snapshot, Afanador stands in water up to his waist as a helper pours water over Stewart’s head with a bucket.

“Getting dressed in 10 different bathing suit outfits can get a little exhausting,” Stewart admits, adding that she prefers to wear one item throughout the day, so the shoot required a little switching up for her. Nevertheless, it was evidently worth it.

The objective for the 2023 edition of SI Swimsuit, according to editor-in-chief MJ Day, is to continue to spark interesting and thought-provoking discussions.

The mystique that is Martha Stewart. The epitome of a brilliant female businesswoman who overcame immense obstacles to establish a dynasty,” Day said in a statement. “Our issue has kept the course, highlighting the women of today, the people defining the future, while the industry wavers on its arbitrary concept of beauty. Starting with our cover models, who together represent the most unapologetically assertive women from many areas of life who continue to carve their own paths on their own terms, we are presenting an incredibly varied collection of women this year.

Stewart added, “I want other women, especially women, to feel like they, too, could be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.” Although I don’t often consider my age, I did feel that this was something historic.

For Stewart, who has established herself as the queen of seductive selfies by posting images from the chair of her hairstylist, very close-ups of her radiant complexion, and possibly her 2020 viral thirst trap poolside in front of her SI debut, entering a publication like this feels natural.

“I enjoy travelling. Stewart commented at the conclusion of the video, “My favourite location to visit is the one I haven’t visited yet. And I live by the adage, “When you’re done changing, you’re done.”