A COVER GIRL AT 81!

America’s domestic goddess has become the oldest woman to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated’s iconic swimsuit edition

- NASIFA SULAIMAN

HOMEMAKING guru, cookbook writer extraordinaire, hotshot businesswoman, TV star, ex-jailbird . . . she’s been there, done that and got so many T-shirts you’d think there’d be no room in her wardrobe for anything more.

But Martha Stewart is going to have to scooch things up a bit because another achievement has indeed come along – although in this case the keepsake is more bathing costume than T-shirt.

At the age of 81 she’s the oldest woman in history to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazine – and nobody could be more delighted about it than the octogenarian queen of the kitchen herself.

When she was asked to be the cover star of the iconic issue she said yes in a heartbeat, she says. “I don’t think about age very much but I thought this is kind of historic.”

Martha wows in nine bathing suits in the edition, which is all about celebrating powerful women “who live in a world where they feel no limitations, internally or externally”.

Her contribution included an eighthour shoot in the Dominican Republic and she had “the best time” she says. “You have to throw modesty out the window because they’re prodding you and pulling and straightening – so I had to grin and bear it.”

Being on the cover of a swimsuit maga zine was never a goal, she adds, but she couldn’t let the “once in a lifetime” moment pass by.

“It’s a good example to others,” she says. “I’m a teacher. I’m trying to teach others that you can look great. 

“And I hope this cover inspires you to challenge yourself to try new things, no matter what stage of life you’re in.”