This is the chronological history of cover models for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue . The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has grown from being an issue of Sports Illustrated magazine created to fill space at a time of year with little sports news into a major marketing franchise that includes a special separate issue, a website, television specials, calendars, books and enormous amounts of advertising. It began as a short photo spread of women in bathing suits and has become a fashion issue for beachwear worn by the world's top models. Being the subject of the Sports Illustrated magazine cover is a well chronicled event which has both become a measure by which fame is measured and a status which is supposedly accompanied by a curse known as the "SI jinx". [1] There seems to have been no reports of any association of the SI jinx with the swimsuit issue.
There is much public interest in who is on the cover of fashion magazines with websites dedicated to the subject. [2] For supermodels being on the cover of important magazines is a matter of prestige and achieving the cover of Sports Illustrated's annual swimsuit edition is quite a celebrated highlight. [3] It is especially noteworthy if a cover model has a solo cover appearance. [4] The unveiling of the swimsuit issue cover and its model is a media event, [5] widely reported in the press. [6]
For some, the image of these models on the cover of a sports magazine is a moral issue. Each year, the issue generates numerous letters from readers both in support and in opposition of the issue. Numerous subscribers cancel subscriptions as a matter of propriety annually. Recently, Time Warner took action to avoid many of the complainants by withholding the Swimsuit issue from certain types of recipients, such as libraries and schools. [7]
Numerous types of trivia and statistics are monitored regarding the swimsuit issue cover subjects. Several have gone on to subsequent success in Hollywood. [8] Others have become the spouses of notable celebrities. [8] The following list is a list of models chosen as subjects for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover, incorporating some related statistics and trivia.
Issue [9] | Name (appearance) | Notes |
---|---|---|
January 20, 1964 [10] | Babette March | |
January 18, 1965 [11] | Sue Peterson | |
January 17, 1966 [12] | Sunny Bippus | |
January 16, 1967 [13] | Marilyn Tindall | |
January 15, 1968 [14] | Turia Mau | |
January 13, 1969 [15] | Jamee Becker | |
January 12, 1970 [16] | Cheryl Tiegs | |
February 1, 1971 [17] | Tannia Rubiano | |
January 17, 1972 [18] | Sheila Roscoe | |
January 29, 1973 [19] | Dayle Haddon | |
January 28, 1974 [20] | Ann Simonton | |
January 27, 1975 [21] | Cheryl Tiegs (2) | first repeat cover model |
January 19, 1976 [22] | Yvette Sylvander Yvonne Sylvander | first multi-subject cover |
January 24, 1977 [23] | Lena Kansbod | |
January 16, 1978 [24] | Maria Joao | most cancellations (340), [25] most letters regarding a cover (2947) [8] |
February 5, 1979 [26] | Christie Brinkley | |
February 2, 1980 [27] | Christie Brinkley (2) | |
February 9, 1981 [28] | Christie Brinkley (3) | first three-time cover model |
February 8, 1982 [29] | Carol Alt | |
February 14, 1983 [30] | Cheryl Tiegs (3) | |
February 13, 1984 [31] | Paulina Porizkova | youngest Swimsuit Issue cover model at age 18 [32] |
February 11, 1985 [33] | Paulina Porizkova (2) | |
February 10, 1986 [34] | Elle Macpherson | |
February 9, 1987 [35] | Elle Macpherson (2) | |
February 15, 1988 [36] | Elle Macpherson (3) | |
February 7, 1989 [37] | Kathy Ireland | Best selling swimsuit issue, [8] 25th anniversary |
February 12, 1990 [38] | Judit Mascó | |
February 11, 1991 [39] | Ashley (Richardson) Montana | |
March 9, 1992 [40] | Kathy Ireland (2) | |
February 22, 1993 [41] | Vendela Kirsebom | |
February 14, 1994 [42] | Kathy Ireland (3) Elle Macpherson (4) Rachel Hunter | pregnant cover models (Ireland & Hunter), [8] first four-time cover model (Macpherson) |
February 20, 1995 [43] | Daniela Peštová | |
January 29, 1996 [44] | Valeria Mazza Tyra Banks | first African-American cover model |
February 21, 1997 [45] | Tyra Banks (2) | first dedicated special issue, [25] first African-American solo cover model. [4] [46] |
February 20, 1998 [47] | Heidi Klum | |
February 12, 1999 [48] | Rebecca Romijn | |
February 1, 2000 [49] | Daniela Peštová (2) | |
February 1, 2001 [50] | Elsa Benítez | |
February 1, 2002 [51] | Yamila Diaz-Rahi | |
February 18, 2003 [52] | Petra Němcová | |
February 10, 2004 [53] | Veronika Vařeková inset Anna Kournikova | 40th anniversary |
February 15, 2005 [54] | Carolyn Murphy inset Jessica White, Marisa Miller, Yamila Diaz-Rahi | |
February 17, 2006 [55] | Veronika Vařeková (2) Elle Macpherson (5) Rebecca Romijn (2) Rachel Hunter (2) Daniela Peštová (3) Elsa Benítez (2) Carolyn Murphy (2) Yamila Diaz-Rahi (2) inset Heidi Klum, Maria Sharapova | record 5th cover for Macpherson |
February 15, 2007 [56] | Beyoncé Knowles inset Bar Refaeli | First non-model and non-athlete |
February 12, 2008 [57] | Marisa Miller | |
February 10, 2009 [58] | Bar Refaeli inset Melissa Baker | |
February 12, 2010 [59] | Brooklyn Decker | |
February 15, 2011 [60] | Irina Shayk inset Kate Upton | |
February 14, 2012 [61] | Kate Upton inset Alex Morgan | |
February 13, 2013 [62] | Kate Upton (2) inset Hannah Davis | |
February 18, 2014 [63] [64] | Nina Agdal Lily Aldridge Chrissy Teigen (1) flip-cover Kate Upton | 50th Anniversary |
February 20, 2015 [65] | Hannah Davis | |
February 23, 2016 [66] | Ronda Rousey Ashley Graham Hailey Clauson | First issue with multiple front covers |
February 20, 2017 [67] | Kate Upton (3) | First cover model with multiple front covers |
February 18, 2018 [68] | Danielle Herrington | |
May 13, 2019 [69] [70] | Tyra Banks (3) Camille Kostek Alex Morgan | |
July 13, 2020 [71] | Kate Bock Jasmine Sanders Olivia Culpo | |
July 19, 2021 | Megan Thee Stallion Naomi Osaka Leyna Bloom | Stallion is the first rapper cover. 2nd non-athlete or model to cover. Osaka is the first tennis player to cover, and first person of Asian descent to cover. Bloom is the first trans model to cover. |
May 19, 2022 | Kim Kardashian Ciara Maye Musk Yumi Nu | Musk was the oldest model to ever appear on the cover until 2023. |
May 19, 2023 | Martha Stewart Kim Petras Megan Fox Brooks Nader | Stewart became the oldest model to ever appear on the cover. Petras is the second openly trans woman to appear on the cover. |
May 17, 2024 | Kate Upton (4) Chrissy Teigen (2) Gayle King Hunter McGrady Legends | 60th Anniversary. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2024 - Celebrating 60 years of Influence. |
Model | Number of covers | Issues |
---|---|---|
Elle Macpherson | 5 | 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 2006 |
Kate Upton | 4 | 2012, 2013, 2017, 2024 |
Christie Brinkley | 3 | 1979, 1980, 1981 |
Cheryl Tiegs | 3 | 1970, 1975, 1983 |
Kathy Ireland | 3 | 1989, 1992, 1994 |
Daniela Pestova | 3 | 1995, 2000, 2006 |
Tyra Banks | 3 | 1996, 1997, 2019 |
Paulina Porizkova | 2 | 1984, 1985 |
Rachel Hunter | 2 | 1994, 2006 |
Rebecca Romijn | 2 | 1999, 2006 |
Elsa Benítez | 2 | 2001, 2006 |
Yamila Diaz-Rahi | 2 | 2002, 2006 |
Veronica Varekova | 2 | 2004, 2006 |
Carolyn Murphy | 2 | 2005, 2006 |
Chrissy Teigen | 2 | 2014, 2024 |
A supermodel is a highly paid fashion model who has a worldwide reputation and background in haute couture and commercial modeling. The term became popular in the 1990s. Supermodels usually work for prominent fashion designers and clothing brands. They may have multimillion-dollar contracts, endorsements, and campaigns. Supermodels have branded themselves as household names and worldwide recognition is associated with their modeling careers. They have been on the covers of leading fashion magazines. Claudia Schiffer stated in 2007 that, "In order to become a supermodel one must be on all the covers all over the world at the same time so that people can recognise the girls."
Tyra Lynne Banks, also known as BanX, is an American model, television personality, producer, writer, and actress. Born in Inglewood, California, she began her career as a model at the age of 15 and was the first Black American woman to be featured on the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, on which she appeared three times. Banks was one of only a few Black models to achieve Supermodel status. She was a Victoria's Secret Angel from 1997 to 2005. By the early 2000s, Banks was one of the world's top-earning models.
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is published annually by American magazine Sports Illustrated and features female fashion models, celebrities and athletes wearing swimwear in various locales around the world. The highly coveted cover photograph has been considered as the arbiter of supermodel succession. The issue carries advertising that, in 2005, amounted to US$35 million in value. First published in 1964, it is credited with making the bikini, invented in 1946, a legitimate piece of apparel.
Elsa Benítez Yáñez is a Mexican model and television presenter, perhaps best known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, including her appearance on the cover in 2001.
Ashley Graham Ervin is an American model and television presenter. Graham made her debut on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2016. A year later, she published her first book, A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty, and Power Really Look Like, which contributes to her advocacy in the body positivity and inclusion movement.
Selita Ebanks is a Caymanian model. She was a Victoria's Secret Angel from 2005 to 2010. She has also worked for high fashion brands Neiman Marcus and Ralph Lauren, and appeared in magazines such as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Vogue, and Glamour.
Irina Valeryevna Shaykhlislamova, known professionally as Irina Shayk, is a Russian fashion model. She received international recognition when she appeared as the first Russian model on the cover of the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. In 2022, the website Models.com placed her on their list of the New Supers.
Hannah Jeter is an American model and television host best known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, including the cover of the 2015 edition.
Babette March, pronounced Marx, born Barbara Marchlowitz, formerly Babette Russell, or simply Babette, who is now known by the name Babette Beatty, was the first Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model. She was on the swimsuit issue cover of the January 20, 1964, issue. This has been credited with making the bikini a legitimate piece of clothing.
Joanne Gair, nicknamed Kiwi Jo, is a New Zealand-born and -raised make-up artist and body painter whose body paintings have been featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue from 1999 to 2017. She is considered the world's leading trompe-l'œil body painter and make-up artist, and she became famous with a Vanity FairDemi's Birthday Suit cover of Demi Moore in a body painting in 1992. Her Disappearing Model was featured on the highest-rated episode of Ripley's Believe It or Not. She is the daughter of George Gair.
Alyssa Elaine Miller is an American model. She has done print and runway work for numerous leading companies. Among her highlights are cover appearances for Vogue (Germany) and Elle (Italy), work as a featured model–spokesperson for Guess, and appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Katherine Elizabeth Upton is an American model and actress. She first appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2011, and was the cover model for the 2012, 2013 and 2017 issues. In addition, she was the subject of the 100th-anniversary Vanity Fair cover.
Olivia Frances Culpo is an American model, actress, and media personality. After winning the Miss Rhode Island USA competition, she went on to win Miss USA 2012, and then Miss Universe 2012.
Nina Brohus Agdal is a Danish model. She is known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. In 2014, she appeared on the magazine's 50th anniversary cover alongside Chrissy Teigen and Lily Aldridge.
Hunter Sienna McGrady is an American plus-size model. She started plus-size modelling when she was 19 years old after being signed with Wilhelmina. She is currently signed to One Management and was recently featured on the cover of Sports illustrated Swimsuit’s 2024 60th Anniversary Legends issue.
Kate Lynne Love is a Canadian model. She is known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue since 2013. In 2020, she appeared on the cover, alongside Olivia Culpo and Jasmine Sanders.
Jasmine Sanders, also known as Golden Barbie, is an American model and fashion influencer.
Danielle Nicole Herrington is an American model known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, including the cover of 2018 edition where she became the third African-American woman to appear on the cover — after Tyra Banks (1997) and Beyonce (2007).
Mia Kang is a British-Swiss fashion model, Muay Thai fighter, body confidence advocate, and television host based in New York City. Kang grew up in Hong Kong and was bullied as a young girl for being overweight. She halved her weight at the age of 13 and was soon scouted as a model. Kang modeled across Asia and Europe through her high school and college years. She got a master's degree in finance and financial law in England, and left modeling to work as a commodities trader, before returning to modeling in New York City and winning the 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue model search and being named a 2017 Rookie.
Camille Veronica Kostek is an American model, television presenter, and actress. She appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and was featured on the cover of the magazine's 2019 edition.