List of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover models explained

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 a lot of 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. The unveiling of the swimsuit issue cover and its model is a media event,[4] widely reported in the press.[5]

For some, the image of these models on the cover of a sports magazine is a moral issue. The issue generates numerous letters from readers both in support and in opposition of the issue each year. 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.[6]

Numerous types of trivia and statistics are monitored regarding the swimsuit issue cover subjects. Several have gone on to subsequent success in Hollywood.[7] Others have become the spouses of notable celebrities.[7] 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 [8] Name (appearance)Notes
January 20, 1964[9]
January 18, 1965[10]
January 17, 1966[11]
January 16, 1967[12]
January 15, 1968[13]
January 13, 1969[14]
January 12, 1970[15]
February 1, 1971[16]
January 17, 1972[17]
January 29, 1973[18]
January 28, 1974[19]
January 27, 1975[20] Cheryl Tiegs (2) first repeat cover model
January 19, 1976[21] first multi-subject cover
January 24, 1977[22]
January 16, 1978[23] most cancellations (340),[24] most letters regarding a cover (2947)
February 5, 1979[25]
February 2, 1980[26] Christie Brinkley (2)
February 9, 1981[27] Christie Brinkley (3) first three-time cover model
February 8, 1982[28]
February 14, 1983[29] Cheryl Tiegs (3)
February 13, 1984[30] youngest Swimsuit Issue cover model at age 18[31]
February 11, 1985[32] Paulina Porizkova (2)
February 10, 1986[33]
February 9, 1987[34] Elle Macpherson (2)
February 15, 1988[35] Elle Macpherson (3)
February 7, 1989[36] Best selling swimsuit issue, 25th anniversary
February 12, 1990[37]
February 11, 1991[38]
March 9, 1992[39] Kathy Ireland (2)
February 22, 1993[40]
February 14, 1994[41] pregnant cover models (Ireland & Hunter), first four-time cover model (Macpherson)
February 20, 1995[42]
January 29, 1996[43] first African-American cover model
February 21, 1997[44] Tyra Banks (2) first dedicated special issue, first African-American solo cover model.[45] [46]
February 20, 1998[47]
February 12, 1999[48]
February 1, 2000[49] Daniela Peštová (2)
February 1, 2001[50]
February 1, 2002[51]
February 18, 2003[52]
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]
February 23, 2016[66] First issue with multiple front covers
February 20, 2017[67] Kate Upton (3)First cover model with multiple front covers
February 18, 2018[68]
May 13, 2019[69] [70]
July 13, 2020[71]
July 19, 2021 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 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

Most covers by model
ModelNumber of coversIssues
Elle Macpherson51986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 2006
Kate Upton42012, 2013, 2017, 2024
Christie Brinkley31979, 1980, 1981
Cheryl Tiegs31970, 1975, 1983
Kathy Ireland31989, 1992, 1994
Daniela Pestova31995, 2000, 2006
Tyra Banks31996, 1997, 2019
Paulina Porizkova21984, 1985
Rachel Hunter21994, 2006
Rebecca Romijn21999, 2006
Elsa Benítez22001, 2006
Yamila Diaz-Rahi22002, 2006
Veronica Varekova22004, 2006
Carolyn Murphy22005, 2006
Chrissy Teigen22014, 2024

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sports Illustrated investigates cover curse. November 12, 2007. January 24, 2002. Steigerwald, Bill. Tribune-Review Publishing Co.. https://web.archive.org/web/20061110100727/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_13840.html. November 10, 2006. dead.
  2. Web site: Fashion Watch. November 13, 2007. fashionWATCH.
  3. News: WHAT'S ON TONIGHT. November 10, 2007. The New York Times Company. Shattuck, Kathryn. February 19, 2007.
  4. News: WHAT'S ON TONIGHT. November 10, 2007. The New York Times Company. Shattuck, Kathryn. February 14, 2007.
  5. News: Beyonce On Cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. November 10, 2007. February 14, 2007. FOX News Network, LLC..
  6. News: The Swimsuits Were Skimpy, but the Magazine Was Invisible. November 10, 2007. The New York Times Company . Aspan, Maria. March 12, 2007.
  7. Sports Illustrated 50: The Anniversary Book, Rob Fleder, 2005, p.286,
  8. News: Swimsuit Collection: Swimsuit Covers. Time Inc.. February 15, 2010. 2008.
  9. Web site: Almasy. Steve. From cover to cover: Reflections from SI's first swimsuit star. July 19, 2017. CNN. February 18, 2011.
  10. News: Pitz. Marylynne. Bikini still a blast after 60 years. July 19, 2017. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 16, 2006.
  11. Ballard. Sarah. Always Fair Weather. July 19, 2017. Sports Illustrated. February 7, 1989.
  12. Fimrite. Ron. A Wallflower Blossomed. July 19, 2017. Sports Illustrated. February 7, 1989.
  13. Moore. Kenny. Life Without A Problem. July 19, 2017. Sports Illustrated. February 7, 1989.
  14. McCallum. Jack. An American In Paris. July 19, 2017. Sports Illustrated. February 7, 1989.
  15. News: Osborn. Dave. Cheryl Tiegs reflects on white 'fishnet' SI swimsuit, modeling career. July 19, 2017. Naples Daily News. March 7, 2014.
  16. Stathoplos. Demmie. On Top of The World. July 19, 2017. Sports Illustrated. February 7, 1989.
  17. Diaz. Jaime. No Prima Donna. July 19, 2017. Sports Illustrated. February 7, 1989.
  18. Wiley. Ralph. Her Gaze Can Daze. July 19, 2017. Sports Illustrated. February 7, 1989.
  19. News: Seals. Brian. Aptos native Marisa Miller makes Sports Illustrated cover. July 19, 2017. Santa Cruz Sentinel. February 13, 2008.
  20. Hogan. Kate. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models: Then and Now. July 19, 2017. People. February 12, 2013.
  21. Newman. Bruce. Birds of a Feather. July 26, 2017. Sports Illustrated. February 7, 1989.
  22. McCallum. Jack. The Best Of Both Worlds. July 26, 2017. Sports Illustrated. February 7, 1989.
  23. News: Denley. Susan. Fame, fortune follow cover. July 26, 2017. Los Angeles Times. February 9, 2014.
  24. Web site: The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue: An intellectual history. Curtis, Bryan. November 11, 2007. February 16, 2005. Washington Post.Newsweek Interactive Co. LLC. Slate.
  25. News: Kerr-Dineen. Luke. 63-year-old Christie Brinkley makes surprise return to Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue. July 26, 2017. USA Today. February 7, 2017.
  26. News: Hawkins. Timothy. His fortune is their faces. Los Angeles Times. April 4, 1980. I5.
  27. News: Usborne. David. 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. August 17, 2005. 34–35.
  28. News: Pesce. Nicole Lyn. Supermodels then and now: Beverly Johnson, Christy Turlington, Carol Alt among veteran catwalkers who paved the way. July 26, 2017. New York Daily News. July 19, 2012.
  29. News: Simmons. Roger. Kate Upton is Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2017 cover model for third time. July 26, 2017. Orlando Sentinel. February 15, 2017.
  30. Paulina Porizkova. February 27, 2010. New York.
  31. News: Pampering Two Left Feet. November 10, 2007. The New York Times Company. Miller, Winter. April 1, 2007.
  32. News: Cobb. Nathan. Magazine's Swimsuit Issue Still An Event. Sun-Sentinel. February 11, 1985. 1C.
  33. Web site: Merron. Jeff. SI undressed. July 26, 2017. ESPN.
  34. Web site: Melloy. John. Swimsuit Indicator: Why Stocks May Have a Good Year. July 26, 2017. CNBC. February 14, 2012.
  35. News: Elle Macpherson; From Down Under to the top. USA Today. February 10, 1988. 4D.
  36. News: Peterson. Karen S.. On the anniversary cover, a glimpse of Ireland; Favorites give an encore. USA Today. February 6, 1989. 4D.
  37. News: Peterson. Karen S.. Fleshing out magazine sales; 'SI' swimsuits lead wave of skin issues. USA Today. February 7, 1990. 1D.
  38. News: Missing Model Fine, After All. The Province. July 4, 1991. 16.
  39. News: MacCambridge. Michael. Sports Illustrated stays the course in swimsuit debate. Austin American-Statesman. March 7, 1992. D5.
  40. News: Brady. James. In Step With: Vendela. August 1, 2017. Kokomo Tribune. August 8, 1993. 54.
  41. News: Gendel. Debra. Model Sporting Spirits—in Triplicate. August 1, 2017. Los Angeles Times. February 11, 1994.
  42. News: Snead. Elizabeth. '95 cover girl from Prague. USA Today. February 14, 1995. 2D.
  43. Book: Luther. Catherine. Ringer Lepre. Carolyn Ringer Lepre. Carolyn. Clark. Naeemah. https://books.google.com/books?id=FSmtEP2qmKgC&pg=PT79. Diversity in U.S. Mass Media. John Wiley & Sons. 2011. Representations of African Americans. 9781444344523.
  44. News: Campbell. Roy H.. Tyra Banks hits superstar status. Toronto Star. April 3, 1997. D12.
  45. Web site: Sports Illustrated: Tyra's 10 Year Anniversary . ANE Productions, Inc. . November 12, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071009181908/http://tyrashow.warnerbros.com/show_recaps/show_recap_mon76.html . October 9, 2007 . dead .
  46. Web site: Tyra Banks. Time Inc.. November 12, 2007.
  47. All-Time 100 Fashion Icons: Heidi Klum. August 1, 2017. Time. April 2, 2012.
  48. News: A conversation with ... Rebecca Romijn-Stamos. The Cincinnati Post. February 23, 1999. 14A.
  49. News: Hutchinson. Bill. Swim Mag Coming Right At Ya. New York Daily News. February 22, 2000. 3.
  50. News: Elsa gets her cover-girl wish. USA Today. February 20, 2001. 1D.
  51. News: Yamila Diaz Rahi is 2002 covergirl for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. August 11, 2017. United Press International.
  52. News: Sports Illustrated unveils new swimsuit edition. Breakingnews.ie. February 20, 2003.
  53. Book: McDonell, Terry. The Accidental Life: An Editor's Notes on Writing and Writers . Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. 2017. 317. 9781101970515.
  54. News: Sturrock. Staci. From Kathy To Carolyn: 'SI' Cover Girls Then And Now! 'It Was Amazing How Sexy I Started To Feel'. The Palm Beach Post. March 4, 2005. 1E.
  55. News: Recent Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue covers. August 11, 2017. Newsday. February 9, 2016.
  56. Beyoncé Knocks 'Real' Swimsuit Models Off SI Cover. August 11, 2017. Adweek. February 15, 2007.
  57. Web site: Marisa Miller heads Maxim's Hot 100 list. August 11, 2017. Reuters. May 14, 2008.
  58. Morrison. Tim. SI Cover Model Bar Refaeli. August 11, 2017. Time. February 9, 2009.
  59. Web site: Celizic. Mike. S.I. swimsuit cover model revealed. August 11, 2017. Today. February 9, 2010.
  60. Web site: Lee. Joyce. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2011 Cover Girl: Irina Shayk. August 11, 2017. CBS News. February 15, 2011.
  61. News: Trebay. Guy. Model Struts Path to Stardom Not on Runway, but on YouTube. The New York Times. February 13, 2012. August 11, 2017.
  62. News: Monde. Chiderah. Kate Upton describes her body 'shutting down' after freezing Sports Illustrated cover shoot: 'I was losing my hearing and eyesight'. August 11, 2017. New York Daily News. February 13, 2013.
  63. News: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover revealed. Shore. Rebecca. Sports Illustrated. February 13, 2014. February 13, 2014. February 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140214090422/http://swimdaily.si.com/2014/02/13/nina-agdal-lily-aldridge-chrissy-teigen-cover-is-pure-joy/. dead.
  64. Web site: Kate Upton nabs 2014 SI Swimsuit Issue flip-side cover. Shore. Rebecca. Sports Illustrated. February 18, 2014. February 19, 2014. February 26, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140226131151/http://swimdaily.si.com/2014/02/18/kate-upton-nabs-2014-si-swimsuit-issue-flip-side-cover/?eref=sihp. dead.
  65. News: Hannah Davis lands 'Sports Illustrated' swimsuit edition cover. Joseph. Adi. USA Today. February 5, 2015. February 7, 2015.
  66. Web site: Karimi. Faith. Sports Illustrated has 3 swimsuit cover models this year. CNN. February 14, 2016. February 15, 2016.
  67. It's Official: Kate Upton is our SI Swimsuit 2017 cover girl!. Hendrix. Kelsey. Sports Illustrated. February 14, 2017. February 14, 2017.
  68. News: Moniuszko. Sara M.. Who is Danielle Herrington? 5 things about the 'Sports Illustrated' swimsuit cover star. February 13, 2018. USA Today. February 13, 2018.
  69. News: Saad. Nardine. Tyra Banks makes a bold statement with Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover. May 10, 2019. Los Angeles Times. May 8, 2019.
  70. News: Vanni. Olivia. Camille Kostek arrives with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover. May 10, 2019. Boston Herald. May 9, 2019.
  71. Web site: Giunta. Joanna. Your Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2020 Cover Models Are Kate Bock, Jasmine Sanders and Olivia Culpo. 2020-07-13. Swimsuit SI.com. en-us.

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