Martha Stewart young and now.Photo: Frank Horvat/Condé Nast via Getty; Noam Galai/Getty
If there’s anything as enduring asMartha Stewart’s legacy, it’s her beauty.
As she previously told PEOPLE in November 2020, Stewarthad never dreamt of becoming a model.
“My neighbor, a beautiful ballerina, was modeling for Stuart Models, and she had a contract,” she recalled. “Her parents said to me, ‘Martha, you’re so pretty. You should be modeling also.’ So I did.”
Though she never knew it then, Stewart’s timeless style and beauty would precede her for decades to come — and these throwback photos from her modeling days are proof.
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High School Beauty Queen
A young Martha Stewart.Don Murray/ZUMAPRESS.com
02of 12Campus ChicA young Martha Stewart.Frank Horvat/Condé Nast via GettyKnown then as Martha Kostyra, she attended Barnard College, graduating in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in history and architectural history. In 2007,Glamournamed her one the 10 best-dressed college girls.Stewart described Barnard as “an extraordinary experience” during a Beyond Barnard online event in 2020.“My Barnard education has been one of the most important foundations in my life because it taught me how to learn. It taught me, also, how to teach, and it taught me what made a good teacher because I had great professors,” shetold the college’s former president Sian Leah Beilock.
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Campus Chic
A young Martha Stewart.Frank Horvat/Condé Nast via Getty
Known then as Martha Kostyra, she attended Barnard College, graduating in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in history and architectural history. In 2007,Glamournamed her one the 10 best-dressed college girls.
Stewart described Barnard as “an extraordinary experience” during a Beyond Barnard online event in 2020.
“My Barnard education has been one of the most important foundations in my life because it taught me how to learn. It taught me, also, how to teach, and it taught me what made a good teacher because I had great professors,” shetold the college’s former president Sian Leah Beilock.
03of 12A Daring TrendsetterA young Martha Stewart.Anthony Camerano/AP/ShutterstockStewart was ahead of her time. Here, she wears shorts while on campus at Barnard College, a decision that was quite controversial in 1960!
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A Daring Trendsetter
A young Martha Stewart.Anthony Camerano/AP/Shutterstock
Stewart was ahead of her time. Here, she wears shorts while on campus at Barnard College, a decision that was quite controversial in 1960!
04of 12Farming FashionistaA young Martha Stewart.Martha Stewart/InstagramIn June 2016, Stewart posted ablack-and-white throwback picon Instagram, writing, “A photo from my modeling days — even then I loved cows and farms and country.”
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Farming Fashionista
A young Martha Stewart.Martha Stewart/Instagram
In June 2016, Stewart posted ablack-and-white throwback picon Instagram, writing, “A photo from my modeling days — even then I loved cows and farms and country.”
05of 12Dazzling in DenimA young Martha Stewart.Susuan Wood/GettyStewart started modeling at 15 and continued through college. Her clients ranged from Unilever to Chanel. She even made hunting for chicken eggs look stylish!
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Dazzling in Denim
A young Martha Stewart.Susuan Wood/Getty
Stewart started modeling at 15 and continued through college. Her clients ranged from Unilever to Chanel. She even made hunting for chicken eggs look stylish!
06of 12Dressed for Every OccasionA young Martha Stewart.Evelyn Floret/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/GettyWould you expect anything less than perfection when attending a dinner party at Stewart’s home?
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Dressed for Every Occasion
A young Martha Stewart.Evelyn Floret/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty
Would you expect anything less than perfection when attending a dinner party at Stewart’s home?
07of 12Fancy Fanny Packin’A young Martha Stewart.Martha Stewart/InstagramA fanny packanda visor? Stewart knew how to hike in style!
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Fancy Fanny Packin'
A fanny packanda visor? Stewart knew how to hike in style!
08of 12A Gilded GoddessA young Martha Stewart.Martha Stewart/InstagramWhere can we buy this gold jacket?
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A Gilded Goddess
Where can we buy this gold jacket?
09of 12Friends Who Slay Together, Stay TogetherA young Martha Stewart with a young Oprah Winfrey.Walter McBride/MediaPunchStewart, alongside her pal,Oprah Winfrey, in 1995 for the Get Movin' with Oprah Spring Training in Central Park, New York City.
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Friends Who Slay Together, Stay Together
A young Martha Stewart with a young Oprah Winfrey.Walter McBride/MediaPunch
Stewart, alongside her pal,Oprah Winfrey, in 1995 for the Get Movin' with Oprah Spring Training in Central Park, New York City.
10of 12Gardening GlamA young Martha Stewart.Terry O’Neill/Iconic Images/GettyEven in coveralls and gardening gloves, Stewart looks fantastic.
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Gardening Glam
A young Martha Stewart.Terry O’Neill/Iconic Images/Getty
Even in coveralls and gardening gloves, Stewart looks fantastic.
11of 12Biker BeautyA young Martha Stewart.Terry O’Neill/Iconic Images/GettyBorn to be wild! Stewart struck a pose on a motorcycle in this 1990 shot.
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Biker Beauty
Born to be wild! Stewart struck a pose on a motorcycle in this 1990 shot.
12of 12Little Black DressA young Martha Stewart.Ron Galella Collection via GettyLooking ever-so-elegant in a floor-length black gown and pearls, topped off with a glass of champagne!
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Little Black Dress
A young Martha Stewart.Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Looking ever-so-elegant in a floor-length black gown and pearls, topped off with a glass of champagne!
source: people.com
