1992 – Kathy Ireland
Katy Ireland modeled the high-hip style bikini bottom that became synonymous with 80s and 90s beachwear on SI’s 1992 cover. Ireland would go on to cover two more Swimsuit Issues, and even posed while pregnant in 1994.
1997 – Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks was the first black model to land a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover in 1997. The American model flaunted a lot of cleavage in her red and pink polka dot bikini. The 90s and 00s also ushered in an era of models with fuller busts.
2003 – Petra Nemcova
Czech model Petra Nemcova landed the 2003 cover. The risqué image featured the blonde undoing her bikini bottoms for one of the more provocative covers.
2012 – Kate Upton
One of the most popular swimsuit models working today is no doubt Kate Upton. The model landed her first SI Swim cover in 2012 wearing a teeny weeny bikini, and went on to pose in Antartica for the 2013 cover.
2014 – Nina Agdal, Lily Aldridge & Chrissy Teigen
Marking the first multi-model cover since 2006, models Chrissy Teigen, Lily Alidridge and Nina Agdal showed their backsides in the image. Could this be the era of booty for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit?
