Ahead of Martha Stewart CNN special, SI swimsuit model posts thirst trap selfie from Florida

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model ... thirst trap selfies ... dressing sexy at 81 ... Martha Stewart had a very viral year.

But all that happened in 2023.

With 2024 in tow, the Food Network star and lifestyle legend is sure to have more viral moments, more youthful-at-82-years-old photo opps and more trending hashtags on social media platforms, especially when the Martha Stewart CNN Special makes its debut later this month.

Here's what we know about the celebrity chef, the "Many Lives of Martha Stewart" documentary on CNN and a glance at her Palm Beach, Florida, connections.

How old is Martha Stewart? Does Martha Stewart live in Florida?

Born Aug. 3, 1941, Martha Stewart is a domestic goddess, celebrity chef and friend of Snoop Dogg and Blake Lively.

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model has spent years vacationing in and around Palm Beach County and is no stranger to the dining rooms of Palm Beach County restaurants. She's a big fan of the South Beach Wine and Food Festival and has hosted events here in the past.

During the pandemic, Stewart was stranded in Palm Beach County for a few days. She made the most of it by eating and shopping her way around the Palm Beach area. Stewart highlighted five local restaurants in the Palm Beach trip recaps on her website.

Where to eat in Palm Beach, according to Sports Illustrated model and Food Network star Martha Stewart

Was Martha Stewart in prison?

Martha Stewart is known for her shows on the Food Network and HGTV as well as her troubles offscreen. Stewart spent five months in minimum-security at Alderson Federal Prison Camp in West Virginia in 2004 and was released in March 2005.

She was accused of insider trading after she sold shares of ImClone Systems stock a day before the stock plummeted. She was convicted of conspiracy, obstruction and two counts of lying to federal investigators.

While in prison, the Cooking Channel star, cookbook author and frequent guest on morning talk shows made headlines for crafting a Nativity set and taking pottery classes.

Agree or disagree? Martha Stewart's Sports Illustrated cover just doesn't feel like progress

Is Martha Stewart on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover? Is Martha Stewart swimsuit issue sold out?

In May 2023, Martha Stewart went viral for appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue − at 81 years old. She is the oldest cover model in the history of the magazine, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

In an interview with AP at the magazine's launch party in May, the lifestyles guru said, "I was up for the challenge, and I accepted it, and I worked toward it, and I accomplished it. Who knew that the response would be so vast and exciting?"

A Jan. 3, 2024, check online shows the Martha Stewart Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is sold out. However, there are copies available of the other 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues featuring fellow cover models Kim Petras, Brooks Nader and Megan Fox.

"Breaking barriers is a good thing and showing people new opportunities is also a great thing, and that's what it's all about," Stewart told AP. "My daddy said, when I was about 12, 'Martha, if you work hard enough, you could do anything.' And guess what? He's right."

Bikini baby bump! Jena Sims, wife of Brooks Koepka, made Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue

What is Martha Stewart CNN special about? When does 'Many Lives of Martha Stewart' air?

CNN announced its four-part series, "The Many Lives of Martha Stewart," will air at 9 and 10 p.m. ET Sunday, Jan. 28, and 9 and 10 p.m.. ET Sunday, Feb. 4.

The series description, according to CNN: "A young female stockbroker breaking barriers on Wall Street in the 1960s; an innovative caterer from a farmhouse in Connecticut; a female self-made billionaire and media mogul; and an Alderson Federal Prison Camp inmate – these and more are 'the Many Lives of Martha Stewart.'"

The series documents Stewart’s "explosive rise to success, her staggering fall from grace, and her momentous comeback to the limelight, establishing herself as one of the country’s most fabled figures. Her brand became one of the most profitable, yet polarizing, in the world – and that was before she was investigated for insider trading. Weaving together never-before-seen images from Stewart’s past, rich archival footage including from Stewart’s numerous sit-downs on CNN’s Larry King Live, and exclusive interviews with Stewart’s former employees, colleagues, fellow inmates, and closest confidantes, this illuminating series pulls back the curtain to reveal the woman behind the legendary lifestyle icon," according to CNN.

“At a time when women were finding the courage to leave their domestic roles to seek careers in male dominated fields, Martha built her empire in the home, redefining what it meant to be a feminist in the modern era,” Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent and content development for CNN Worldwide, said in a news release. “Whether you love her or hate her, we are betting audiences will continue to be fascinated by The Many Lives of Martha Stewart.”

Celebrity chef Daniel Boulud, who has a restaurant in Palm Beach and has frequently appeared as a judge on "Top Chef," David Chang, Claire Saffitz and Carla Hall ("Top Chef," "The Chew," "Holiday Baking Championship") will appear on the Martha Stewart CNN special.

What is a thirst trap? When did Martha Stewart post a thirst trap photo?

In 2023, Martha Stewart posted, well, several photos on her social media platforms that could make people do a doubletake if they didn't know her age. Specifically, though, Stewart made shock waves on social when she posted a "thirst trap" selfie or sexy photo from a Palm Beach County, Florida, bathroom.

Just before New Year's Eve 2023, Stewart drew comparisons to Blanche Devereaux of "The Golden Girls" for striking a pose in a sexy, expensive nightgown and posting it on Instagram: "After an eight hour plane trip from westchester to palm beach- horrible by the way - we went to bed early and wore my beautiful @sabbiarosa nightgown (linen with robe). I didn't look so bad when I got up at least not as bad as I did when I went to bed - it must be the $$$$$outfit!!"

Then on Sunday, Dec. 31, Stewart stunned in a gold dress at Club Colette's New Year's Eve celebration in Palm Beach and posted her party pics: "New Year's Eve with @susanmagrino7 We ate @clubcolette palm beach Lovely food fun people! Drinks at the newest supper club @thecarriagehouse palm beach So good!!!"

Contributing: Lianna Norman, USA TODAY Network-Florida

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Martha Stewart Instagram thirst trap nightgown pic taken in Palm Beach