Martha has graced the covers of many magazines, including her own, over her career. Today, the multihyphenate appears on the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover. She announced the breathtaking cover on NBC’s TODAY show, discussing how she was preparing for the Dominican Republic picture shoot and how important it is to be open to new experiences throughout life.
“I like that picture!” When hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie displayed the last cover, which has Martha—pictured by Ruven Afanador—in a gold wrap and white swimwear, Martha replied. Martha disclosed that she received a call from Sports Illustrated in November 2022, giving her about three months to get ready for the end-of-January photo shoot—an occasion she handled with poise. “You’re done changing when you’re done. One of my mottos is that,” Martha remarked.
Cover Model for This Year Is Martha
Despite briefly discussing her preparations for this historic moment—which included drawing on her prior modeling experience, eating a healthy diet, and doing a lot of Pilates—Martha, the oldest model to appear on a Sports Illustrated cover, already had everything she needed in her toolbox. It is evidence of a well-lived life. It is my belief that we should all focus on living well rather than growing older,” she remarked. “The whole aging thing is so boring.”
Martha added, citing the life lessons she received from her parents, that confidence is a skill that can be mastered. She said that her father had told her that with hard effort and knowledge, she could do everything she set her mind to. “I think you can instill it in children early on,” she remarked.
In the end, Martha wishes that the cover encourages other women—particularly following a difficult few years. “Looking after the family and working from home has not been easy. “I hope [the cover] allows women to reflect on their past lives,” the woman remarked. Experimenting is a great way to grow. Being fearless is a great quality. Have no fear of anything.
On May 18, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition will be available for purchase.