30 of the Greatest Sport's Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Stars: Then and Now

Chrissy Teigen

Known for her quick wit and gorgeous good looks, model, author, and beloved social media star has graced the SI swimsuit cover numerous times. She is married to singer John Legend and is now pregnant with her second child. Fun fact: it’s difficult to believe but the model doesn’t work out and loves fast food.

Christie Brinkley

Blonde beauty Brinkley is one of SI’s most iconic cover stars. The model mum has appeared in the magazine eight times between 1975-2004. Brinkley made her return to swimsuit edition in 2017, the age-defying model was 63 years old at the time. She appeared with her daughters, Alexa and Sailor.

Elle Macpherson

Back in the eighties, Elle Macpherson set pulses racing with her first SI cover. She was the fresh-faced Aussie who would become one of the magazine’s most loved cover girls. Today, the model still looks cover-worthy at the age of 54. Fun fact: Macpherson has actually appeared on the most SI covers than any other model.

Danielle Herrington

Herrington is SI’s latest cover star. She appeared on the 2018 cover, the news was revealed SI alum Tyra Banks in an interview. The exotic beauty hails from California and recently revealed that she is “single and ready to mingle.” Lucky gents, get in line.

Cheryl Tiegs

Cheryl Tiegs was one of the most sought-after, pined after supermodels of the seventies. In 1978, Tiegs posed in the magazine in a white fishnet one piece that left little to the imagination. The racy image would become a definitive moment in the pop culture of the late years of the decade.
 

Heidi Klum

Known for her quirky sense of humor, blonde locks and impossibly long legs, Heidi Klum has long been an iconic figure in the modeling world. She has appeared on numerous SI covers and has walked the catwalk for Victoria’s Secret for 13 years. Fun fact: she is one of the world’s highest-earning models with a net-worth of $70 million.

Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell is supermodel royalty. The seemingly ageless ebony beauty has graced the cover of the SI swimsuit edition multiple times, first appearing in the magazine in 1992. Campbell’s career has had its fair share of controversy. The model has been accused of assault four times. Multiple former employees have come forward with allegations of abuse.

Kathy Ireland

Ireland was best known for appearing in the SI swimsuit edition 13 consecutive times. In 1993, she founded a brand marketing company, Kathy Ireland Worldwide, which has made her one of the wealthiest former models in the world. Ireland, now 55, is still as beautiful as ever.

Rachel Hunter

Rachel Hunter was just 19 when she made her first appearance on the cover of SI. The New Zealand native would appear in seven more swimsuit issues.The New Zealander would go to have a high-profile marriage with singer Rod Stewart.

Paulina Porizkova

The Czechoslovakian supermodel was one of the most memorable cover stars of the SI swimsuit edition. At just 18, she would quicken heartbeats with her cover feature. At 54, the swimsuit legend recently bared it all in yet another recent shoot for the magazine. The timelessly gorgeous brunette is an active philanthropist and activist.

Rebecca Romijn

Rebecca Romijn would be the first SI model to be featured in nothing but body paint. The model made a successful transition into film and television with appearances in the X-men franchise and the Punisher. The blonde has had a string of high profile romances, namely with actors John Stamos and Jerry O’Connell.

Ashley Graham

Graham is one of the outspoken and beautiful rising stars on the modeling world. The SI edition featured the plus-size model in a welcome change from it’s more commonly featured models. The model has appeared on the covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle magazine.

Babette March

German-born model Babette March was the very first SI swimsuit edition cover girl. The more modestly styled model appeared on the cover in January 1964. In the sixties and seventies, she was known as one of New York’s party girls, living the high life with the likes of Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol.

Anna Kournikova

When Anna Kournikova first strutted on to a tennis court in 1999, the sport’s world was immediately enthralled by the Russian-born beauty. Although she never won a major title, the blonde captured the hearts of fans around the world. She has since retired from tennis. She welcomed twin daughters in 2017, with her partner, Latin American singer, Enrique Iglesias.

Beyonce Knowles

Before Beyonce dominated the music industry, she appeared on the cover of SI in 2007. Since her appearance, the singer, actress, mother, and entrepreneur has become a pop culture sensation. She has sold 100 million records worldwide and won 22 Grammy Awards. She is married to the iconic rapper, Jay Z.

Irina Shayk

With her brunette locks, piercing blue eyes and enviable figure, it’s no wonder why the lovely Irina has stormed on to the catwalk and risen to fame. Irina made the cover in 2011. She welcomed a child in 2017, with her actor beau Bradley Cooper.

Dayle Haddon

45 Years ago, Haddon graced the cover of the 1973 swimsuit edition. The Canadian’s beauty seems to defy time, so much so that she wrote a book entitled Ageless Beauty: A Woman’s Guide to Lifelong Beauty and Well-Being. The beauty has since appeared in multiple feature films and is a children’s rights activist.

Maria Sharapova

At the height of her career, Maria Sharapova was the darling of the tennis world. She was beautiful, talented and knew her way around a court. In her heyday, she was ranked number 1 in female singles for 21 consecutive weeks. Fun fact: she is actually an Olympic medal holder, she won a silver medal for Russia at the 2012 games.

Veronika Vařeková

One of Czech Republic’s most gorgeous exports, Veronika Vařeková has been modeling since the age of 19. She has appeared in fashion campaigns for the world’s most well-known brands, namely Gap, Escada, Victoria’s Secret and Chanel.

Brooklyn Decker

Decker broke hearts when she first appeared on the cover of the 2010 swimsuit edition. Decker was discovered in a shopping mall and her career has not slowed down since. She made her feature film debut in Just Go With It, alongside Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. Fun fact: she is married to former tennis champion, Andy Roddick.

Yvette and Yvonne Sylvander

No, you’re not seeing double, Yvette and Yvonne Sylvander are the only pair of twins to be featured on an SI cover. The beautiful blondes hail from Sweden. The twins now live in the US with their partners and still have fond memories of their SI shoot.

Bar Rafaeli

Since her feature in SI, this Israeli beauty has become one of the world’s most wanted supermodels. With an estimated net worth of $20 million, the model, actress and businesswoman has done very well for her gorgeous self. She was voted No. 1 on Maxim magazine’s Hot 100 list of 2012.

Elsa Benítez

Best known for appearing on the cover of the SI swimsuit edition in 2001, Elsa Benítez is the beautiful Mexican model is now a regular face in the fashion world. Her cover appearance boosted her career and she has since walked the runway for Chanel, Valentino, Christian Dior and Versace.

Hannah Jeter

The flawless Jeter has appeared in five editions of the SI swimsuit edition, from 2013 to 2017. She has since appeared in numerous campaigns for top fashion houses. Fun fact: the model began playing tennis at eight and was a champion on the Caribbean National tennis team.

Sue Peterson

In 1965, in a comparatively wholesome shoot compared to what we see today, the lovely Sue Peterson appeared on the SI cover. Peterson actually found love on the set of her seaside shoot. Two years after meeting each other, Peterson would marry the SI writer Jack Olsen. The pair are still happily married.

Carol Alt

Born in New York, Alt was first spotted waiting tables at the tender age of 18. She decided to make a go of modeling and would soon land the 1982 cover of SI. She went on to have a thriving career in modeling and the occasional acting endeavor. The former model is still a breathtaking beauty.

Jessica White

At the age of 12, Jessica White was plucked from obscurity when she was scouted in her hometown of Buffalo, New York. Since her days in SI, the model’s career has hit a bit of a snag. She has been criticized for being a ‘Naomi Campbell knockoff.’ She was arrested for assault in NYC in 2010.

Alexis Ren

With 12 million Instagram followers, Alexis Ren is a bonafide internet star. The beauty was featured in the 2018 edition of SI. The social media heavyweight has recently launched her own activewear line.

Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks was an especially notable addition to the magazine’s long list of steamy cover girls. The actress, model and talk show host was SI’s first African American cover star. The model was catapulted to worldwide stardom after she appeared on the cover in a tiny polka dot bikini.

Kate Upton

American actress and model Kate Upton has sizzled on the SI cover four times. The busty actress was named Rookie of the Year by the magazine, an honor bestowed upon the most drool-worthy newcomer. Upton was involved in a press scandal in 2014 when racy nude photos of the model were leaked to the internet.