List of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover models

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.

Elle Macpherson holds the record for most swimsuit issue covers, with five

Tyra Banks was the first African American swimsuit issue cover model

Camille Kostek landed a solo cover in 2019 after being scouted in the issue's first ever open casting call

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.

List of covers

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 Brooklyn Decker
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.

Models on multiple covers

Elle Macpherson has the most covers in the issue's history with five

Most covers by model^[8]

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

References

1. Steigerwald, Bill (January 24, 2002). "Sports Illustrated investigates cover curse". Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved November 12, 2007.
2. "Fashion Watch". fashionWATCH. Retrieved November 13, 2007.
3. Shattuck, Kathryn (February 19, 2007). "WHAT'S ON TONIGHT". The New York Times Company. Retrieved November 10, 2007.
4. "Sports Illustrated: Tyra's 10 Year Anniversary". ANE Productions, Inc. Archived from the original on October 9, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2007.
5. Shattuck, Kathryn (February 14, 2007). "WHAT'S ON TONIGHT". The New York Times Company. Retrieved November 10, 2007.
6. "Beyonce On Cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue". FOX News Network, LLC. February 14, 2007. Retrieved November 10, 2007.
7. Aspan, Maria (March 12, 2007). "The Swimsuits Were Skimpy, but the Magazine Was Invisible". The New York Times Company. Retrieved November 10, 2007.
8. Sports Illustrated 50: The Anniversary Book, Rob Fleder, 2005, p.286, ISBN 1-932273-49-2
9. "Swimsuit Collection: Swimsuit Covers". Time Inc. 2008. Archived from the original on August 8, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
10. Almasy, Steve (February 18, 2011). "From cover to cover: Reflections from SI's first swimsuit star". CNN. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
11. Pitz, Marylynne (July 16, 2006). "Bikini still a blast after 60 years". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
12. Ballard, Sarah (February 7, 1989). "Always Fair Weather". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
13. Fimrite, Ron (February 7, 1989). "A Wallflower Blossomed". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
14. Moore, Kenny (February 7, 1989). "Life Without A Problem". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
15. McCallum, Jack (February 7, 1989). "An American In Paris". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
16. Osborn, Dave (March 7, 2014). "Cheryl Tiegs reflects on white 'fishnet' SI swimsuit, modeling career". Naples Daily News. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
17. Stathoplos, Demmie (February 7, 1989). "On Top of The World". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
18. Diaz, Jaime (February 7, 1989). "No Prima Donna". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
19. Wiley, Ralph (February 7, 1989). "Her Gaze Can Daze". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
20. Seals, Brian (February 13, 2008). "Aptos native Marisa Miller makes Sports Illustrated cover". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
21. Hogan, Kate (February 12, 2013). "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models: Then and Now". People. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
22. Newman, Bruce (February 7, 1989). "Birds of a Feather". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
23. McCallum, Jack (February 7, 1989). "The Best Of Both Worlds". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
24. Denley, Susan (February 9, 2014). "Fame, fortune follow cover". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
25. Curtis, Bryan (February 16, 2005). "The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue: An intellectual history". Slate. Washington Post.Newsweek Interactive Co. LLC. Retrieved November 11, 2007.
26. Kerr-Dineen, Luke (February 7, 2017). "63-year-old Christie Brinkley makes surprise return to Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue". USA Today. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
27. Hawkins, Timothy (April 4, 1980). "His fortune is their faces". Los Angeles Times. p. I5.
28. Usborne, David (August 17, 2005). "Beauty before age; She was the all-American girl who became the world's first supermodel. Now Christie Brinkley's a born-again cover star at 51". The Independent. pp. 34–35.
29. Pesce, Nicole Lyn (July 19, 2012). "Supermodels then and now: Beverly Johnson, Christy Turlington, Carol Alt among veteran catwalkers who paved the way". New York Daily News. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
30. Simmons, Roger (February 15, 2017). "Kate Upton is Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2017 cover model for third time". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
31. "Paulina Porizkova". New York. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
32. Miller, Winter (April 1, 2007). "Pampering Two Left Feet". The New York Times Company. Retrieved November 10, 2007.
33. Cobb, Nathan (February 11, 1985). "Magazine's Swimsuit Issue Still An Event". Sun-Sentinel. p. 1C.
34. Merron, Jeff. "SI undressed". ESPN. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
35. Melloy, John (February 14, 2012). "Swimsuit Indicator: Why Stocks May Have a Good Year". CNBC. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
36. "Elle Macpherson; From Down Under to the top". USA Today. February 10, 1988. p. 4D.
37. Peterson, Karen S. (February 6, 1989). "On the anniversary cover, a glimpse of Ireland; Favorites give an encore". USA Today. p. 4D.
38. Peterson, Karen S. (February 7, 1990). "Fleshing out magazine sales; 'SI' swimsuits lead wave of skin issues". USA Today. p. 1D.
39. "Missing Model Fine, After All". The Province. July 4, 1991. p. 16.
40. MacCambridge, Michael (March 7, 1992). "Sports Illustrated stays the course in swimsuit debate". Austin American-Statesman. p. D5.
41. Brady, James (August 8, 1993). "In Step With: Vendela". Kokomo Tribune. p. 54. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
42. Gendel, Debra (February 11, 1994). "Model Sporting Spirits—in Triplicate". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
43. Snead, Elizabeth (February 14, 1995). "'95 cover girl from Prague". USA Today. p. 2D.
44. Luther, Catherine; Ringer Lepre, Carolyn; Clark, Naeemah (2011). "Representations of African Americans". Diversity in U.S. Mass Media. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781444344523.
45. Campbell, Roy H. (April 3, 1997). "Tyra Banks hits superstar status". Toronto Star. p. D12.
46. "Tyra Banks". Time Inc. Retrieved November 12, 2007.
47. "All-Time 100 Fashion Icons: Heidi Klum". Time. April 2, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
48. "A conversation with ... Rebecca Romijn-Stamos". The Cincinnati Post. February 23, 1999. p. 14A.
49. Hutchinson, Bill (February 22, 2000). "Swim Mag Coming Right At Ya". New York Daily News. p. 3.
50. "Elsa gets her cover-girl wish". USA Today. February 20, 2001. p. 1D.
51. "Yamila Diaz Rahi is 2002 covergirl for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue". United Press International. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
52. "Sports Illustrated unveils new swimsuit edition". Breakingnews.ie. February 20, 2003.
53. McDonell, Terry (2017). The Accidental Life: An Editor's Notes on Writing and Writers. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. p. 317. ISBN 9781101970515.
54. Sturrock, Staci (March 4, 2005). "From Kathy To Carolyn: 'SI' Cover Girls Then And Now! 'It Was Amazing How Sexy I Started To Feel'". The Palm Beach Post. p. 1E.
55. "Recent Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue covers". Newsday. February 9, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
56. "Beyoncé Knocks 'Real' Swimsuit Models Off SI Cover". Adweek. February 15, 2007. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
57. "Marisa Miller heads Maxim's Hot 100 list". Reuters. May 14, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
58. Morrison, Tim (February 9, 2009). "SI Cover Model Bar Refaeli". Time. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
59. Celizic, Mike (February 9, 2010). "S.I. swimsuit cover model revealed". Today. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
60. Lee, Joyce (February 15, 2011). "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2011 Cover Girl: Irina Shayk". CBS News. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
61. Trebay, Guy (February 13, 2012). "Model Struts Path to Stardom Not on Runway, but on YouTube". The New York Times. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
62. Monde, Chiderah (February 13, 2013). "Kate Upton describes her body 'shutting down' after freezing Sports Illustrated cover shoot: 'I was losing my hearing and eyesight'". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
63. Shore, Rebecca (February 13, 2014). "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover revealed". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
64. Shore, Rebecca (February 18, 2014). "Kate Upton nabs 2014 SI Swimsuit Issue flip-side cover". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on February 26, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
65. Joseph, Adi (February 5, 2015). "Hannah Davis lands 'Sports Illustrated' swimsuit edition cover". USA Today. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
66. Karimi, Faith (February 14, 2016). "Sports Illustrated has 3 swimsuit cover models this year". CNN. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
67. Hendrix, Kelsey (February 14, 2017). "It's Official: Kate Upton is our SI Swimsuit 2017 cover girl!". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
68. Moniuszko, Sara M. (February 13, 2018). "Who is Danielle Herrington? 5 things about the 'Sports Illustrated' swimsuit cover star". USA Today. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
69. Saad, Nardine (May 8, 2019). "Tyra Banks makes a bold statement with Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
70. Vanni, Olivia (May 9, 2019). "Camille Kostek arrives with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover". Boston Herald. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
71. Giunta, Joanna. "Your Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2020 Cover Models Are Kate Bock, Jasmine Sanders and Olivia Culpo". Swimsuit | SI.com. Retrieved July 13, 2020.