Sports Illustrated is an American magazine solely based on sports. In August 1954, the inaugural issue of Sports Illustrated was released. Stuart Scheftel founded the magazine. Time Inc. owned it till 2018. Since then, Authentic Brands Group has been behind the magazine’s publication. It is also well known for its annual swimsuit issue which features many famous models.
The Sports Illustrated magazine has won the National Magazine Award for General Excellence twice and it is the only magazine to do so. Segments such as Faces in the Crowd, Who’s Hot, Who’s Not, Inside the Sport, and many more are loved by the people. It has been a fan-favorite amongst sports lovers. The annual Swimsuit issue is one such bestseller. Sports Illustrated also did a countdown for the best swimsuit models. Here are the top 10.
The Top 10 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models
10. Paulina Porizkova
Paulina Porizkova is a Czech model and writer. She was present in the Swimsuit Issue for seven years, including four years in a row from 1983 to 1986. Paulina is the first woman from Central Europe to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated and was on the cover two years in a row. She made her acting debut in the movie ‘Anna’ and also starred in ‘Celebrity Ghost Stories’. She started modeling in the 80s when she was a teenager.
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9. Bar Refaeli
Bar Refaeli is an Israeli model, actress, and businesswoman who first appeared in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue in 2007. She appeared on Sports Illustrated five times, being on the cover for the 2009 issue. Maxim’s Hot 100 list voted Refaeli for No. 1 in 2012. She co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2019 in Tel Aviv and has also hosted ‘The X-Factor Israel’ since 2013. She has been regarded as the most successful model in Israel and has also ranked as the highest-paid model in Israel for several years.
8. Christie Brinkley
Christie Lee Brinkley is an American model, entrepreneur, and actress. She was the first model to star on consecutive covers of Sports Illustrated and was on the covers for three years in a row (1975-1976 and 1978-81). Brinkley has been featured on more than 500 magazine covers till now and was a CoverGirl for 25 years. She was also featured in the 40th Anniversary Issue’s Hall of Fame of Sports Illustrated. Her acting debut was in the 1983’s film ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation‘. She has also written a book called ‘Christie Brinkley’s Outdoor Beauty and Fitness Book‘.
7. Brooklyn Decker
Brooklyn Decker is an American actress and model. She has starred in six consecutive issues of Sports Illustrated from 2006 to 2011 and was on the cover for the 2010 issue. Decker made her acting debut in the 2011 film ‘Just Go With It’ opposite Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. She also starred in the sitcom ‘Friends With Better Lives‘. Decker also worked with Victoria’s Secret Swim Collection in 2010. She also hosted the 2007 issue Behind the Scenes Television Special for Sports Illustrated. She went on to marry American tennis player Andy Roddick in 2007.
6. Cheryl Tiegs
Cheryl Tiegs is an American model and fashion designer. She is considered the first American supermodel and has been in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue 11 times. Tiegs has also been on the covers of People magazine and Time magazine. Sports Illustrated featured Tiegs as the cover star three times. She also partnered with Sears to release a clothing and accessory line. Tiegs was also inducted into the Hall of Fame of Sports Illustrated 40th Anniversary. She also started modeling when she was a teenager.
5. Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum is a German-American model, businesswoman, host, and producer. She is the very first German model to become a Victoria’s, Secret Angel. Klum was on the cover of Sports Illustrated for the 1998 issue and has been featured in eight issues of the magazine. Her work on ‘Project Runway‘ was nominated for an Emmy. Magazines such as Vogue, Glamour, InStyle, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar have also featured Klum. She has also served as the host of ‘America’s Got Talent‘ and also has a lot of business ventures such as a clothing line for Jordache, perfumes, a makeup collection in partnership with Victoria’s Secret, and many more.
4. Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks is an American model, television personality, actress, writer, and host. She started modeling at the age of 15 and became famous for playing the role of Will Smith’s girlfriend in the series ‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air‘. Banks was featured in Sports Illustrated five times and was on the cover of the magazine twice (1996, 1997) and was the first African American to be on the cover. She is best known for hosting ‘America’s Next Top Model‘. She was also a Victoria’s Angel from 1997 to 2005. Models Inc. ranked Tyra Banks as one of the Supermodels. Not only was she a famous model but also became a successful host and actress.
3. Kate Upton
Kate Upton is an American model who has been featured in four issues of the Swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated. She was on the cover for 2012, 2013, and 2017 issues as well. Vanity Fair’s 100th issue featured the model Upton. She was also an equestrian at the national level and has won three APHA Reserve World Championships. She has starred in movies such as ‘Tower Heist’, ‘The Layover’, and ‘The Disaster Artist‘. Upton was also in marketing campaigns for Victoria’s Secret, Guess, Express, and Bare Necessities as well as was the ambassador for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.
2. Kathy Ireland
Kathy Ireland is an American author, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and former model. She has appeared in 13 consecutive Sports Illustrated swimsuit editions. She has also been on three covers of the magazine. Ireland started modeling when she was a teenager and has been on the covers of magazines like Vogue, Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, and many more. She has also written many books, especially for moms and kids. She is also the CEO and Chief Designer for Kathy Ireland Worldwide. Her cover from 1989 for Sports Illustrated is the bestselling Swimsuit issue.
1. Elle Macpherson
Eleanor Macpherson is an Australian model, TV host, and actress. She has been featured in 10 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues including five consecutive covers. She was coined as ‘The Body’ during this time. Macpherson has many business ventures such as The Body, which is a skincare line, and Elle Macpherson Intimates, a lingerie line. She was a runway model for various brands such as Christian Dior, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Michael Kors, and many more. She was also on the cover of magazines like Vogue, Elle, Time, Glamour, GQ, Cosmopolitan, and more.
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