37 Iconic Models Who Stunned in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has launched many models to fame and highlighted the world’s top beauties. Let’s look back at 40 unforgettable cover girls and models from SI’s iconic publication:
1. Kathy Ireland
With 3 covers, Kathy Ireland became synonymous with the SI Swimsuit Issue in the 80s and 90s.
2. Babette March
Early SI Swimsuit model Babette March helped pioneer the publication’s popularity.
3. Cheryl Tiegs
Cheryl Tiegs famously posed in a fishnet swimsuit for one of her three SI covers in the 1970s.
4. Christie Brinkley
Christie Brinkley achieved three consecutive SI covers in the late 1970s during her heyday.
5. Kim Alexis
SI Swimsuit regular Kim Alexis landed two SI Swimsuit covers in back-to-back years during the 1980s.
6. Carol Alt
Supermodel Carol Alt landed four SI Swimsuit covers in the 1980s and early 1990s.
7. Rachel Hunter
New Zealand beauty Rachel Hunter covered the SI Swimsuit Issue in 1989 and 1994.
8. Angie Everhart
Redheaded sensation Angie Everhart got to grace the SI Swimsuit cover in 1996.
9. Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks made history as the first Black model to land SI’s Swimsuit cover, appearing on it in 1996 and 1997.
10. Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum landed the SI Swimsuit Issue cover in 1998, the height of her modeling fame.
11. Rebecca Romijn
Rebecca Romijn helped put SI Swimsuit on the map modeling their catalog in the 90s.
12. Yamila Diaz
Argentinian stunner Yamila Diaz covered the Swimsuit Issue in 2002.
13. Petra Nemcova
Czech model Petra Nemcova appeared on the SI Swimsuit cover in 2003.
14. Veronica Varekova
Swimsuit Issue regular Veronica Varekova covered SI in back-to-back years in 2004 and 2005.
15. Beyonce Knowles
Music icon Beyonce landed the 2007 SI Swimsuit cover months before her first #1 single.
16. Brooklyn Decker
Model turned actress Brooklyn Decker covered SI Swimsuit in 2010 shortly before entering acting.
17. Kate Upton
Kate Upton’s 2012 and 2013 covers helped launch her meteoric rise to supermodel fame.
18. Hannah Davis
Model Hannah Davis (now Jeter) stunned in a string bikini on her 2015 SI Swimsuit cover.
19. Ronda Rousey
MMA fighter Ronda Rousey unexpectedly covered the 2016 Swimsuit Issue.
20. Camille Kostek
Camille Kostek went from SI Swimsuit Model Search winner to landing a cover just a year later in 2019.
21. Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy Teigen modeled for SI early on and landed one of two covers for the 2010 issue.
22. Leyna Bloom
Leyna Bloom made history as SI Swimsuit’s first trans cover star in 2021.
23. Yumi Nu
Yumi Nu became the first Asian plus-size model to earn an SI Swimsuit cover in 2022.
24. Ashley Graham
Ashley Graham broke barriers as 2016’s first plus-size model SI Swimsuit cover star.
25. Daniela Pestova
Czech model Daniela Pestova graced the SI Swimsuit cover twice in 1995 and 2000.
26. Irina Shayk
Russian beauty Irina Shayk covered SI Swimsuit during the peak of her career in 2011.
27. Bar Refaeli
Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli covered the SI Swimsuit edition four times between 2009 and 2015.
28. Elle Macpherson
With 5 covers, “The Body” Elle Macpherson remains the most featured model in SI Swimsuit history.
29. Naomi Campbell
Supermodel legend Naomi Campbell graced the cover in 1991, 1994 and 2014.
30. Marisa Miller
Swimsuit specialist Marisa Miller continued covering SI Swimsuit in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
31. Kate Upton
Kate Upton’s 2012 and 2013 covers helped launch her meteoric rise to supermodel fame.
32. Hannah Jeter
Model Hannah Jeter (then Davis) stunned in a string bikini on her 2015 SI Swimsuit cover.
33. Lais Ribeiro
Victoria’s Secret Angel Lais Ribeiro covered the coveted SI Swimsuit Issue in 2019.
34. Camille Kostek
Camille Kostek went from SI Swimsuit Model Search winner to cover girl the following year in 2019.
35. Olivia Culpo
Influencer and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo stunned on her first SI Swimsuit cover in 2020.
36. Leyna Bloom
Leyna Bloom made history as the first trans SI Swimsuit cover star in 2021.
37. Yumi Nu
Yumi Nu became the first Asian plus-size model to earn an SI Swimsuit cover in 2022.
Gorgeous Trailblazers and Cover Stars
These sensational Swimsuit Issue models left their mark on modeling history. Their coveted covers propelled many to superstardom.
