Top 10 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models in 2024 ranked

Top 10 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models in 2024 ranked

Claudia Kogi
updated at February 16, 2024 at 11:42 AM

When swimsuit models are mentioned, one thing that often comes to mind is them posing on a beach wearing swimsuits or luring lingerie. However, in the fashion industry, many models do not only work as runway models but also take movie roles as actresses, teachers, Instagram sensations, and now athletes.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Top 10 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models

Since 1964, Sports Illustrated has collected pictures of the world's hottest women in its annual Swimsuit Edition, including the most popular and beautiful models and celebrities and athletes dressed in swimsuits.

According to recently edited magazines, here is a list of the best Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models of all time.

10. Veronica Varekova

Most famous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models
Veronica Varekova attends the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on 3 May 2019 in New York City. Photo: Dia Dipasupil
Source: Getty Images

Hailing from the Czech, meet Veronica Varekova, a renowned swimsuit model who has graced the cover of the swimsuit edition twice. She made her first appearance in 2004 and later made another one in 2006 alongside other multi-cover models like Daniela Pestova, Elsa Benitez, and Rebecca Rimijn.

Additionally, she has appeared in several campaigns for Patek Philippe, Hublot, Chopard, Pantene, and Escada. On top of that, Veronica was once Victoria's Secret model.

Full name

Veronika Varekova

Date of birth

19 June 1977

Place of birth

Olomouc, Czech Republic

Age

46 years of age (as of 2024)

Nationality

Czech

Social media presence

Instagram

9. Marissa Miller

Most famous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models
Model Marisa Miller arrives at the 2013 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles on 17 July 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Jon Kopaloff
Source: Getty Images

In 2008, Marissa Miller was on the cover of the swimsuit edition. One notable fact is that when her cover was launched online for the first time, the magazine's website experienced immense traffic and engagement levels, especially in record numbers.

Maxim and FHM once dubbed her the hottest woman in the world. The supermodel is one of those beauties with brains, as her knowledge of automobiles is just epic. Like Veronica Varekova, Miller was also once Victoria's Secret model.

Full name

Marisa Lee Miller

Date of birth

6 August 1978

Place of birth

Santa Cruz California, the United States of America

Age

45 years of age (as of 2024)

Nationality

American

Social media presence

Instagram, Twitter

8. Daniela Pestova

Best Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model of all time
Model Daniela Pestova attends Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 50th Anniversary Party at the Swimsuit Beach House on 18 February 2014 in New York City. Photo: Michael Stewart
Source: Getty Images

Hailing from the Czech, Daniela Pestova is a renowned swimsuit model who made appearances on the cover of the swimsuit edition three times. She first appeared in 1995 before being chosen once again in the magazine's 2000 issue.

In 2006, the swimsuit model was part of the massive group of former cover girls that the magazine honoured with another cover in its all-star edition. Additionally, she was the subject of the first body painting works by Joanne Gair.

Full name

Daniela Pestova

Date of birth

14 October 1970

Place of birth

Teplice, Czech Republic

Age

53 years of age (as of 2024)

Nationality

Czech

Social media presence

Instagram

7. Tyra Banks

Who was the first swimsuit model for Sports Illustrated?
Tyra Banks during the penultimate episode that will feature six remaining couples battling it out in two rounds of dances for a spot in the finale on 15 November 2022. Photo: Christopher Willard
Source: Getty Images

Tyra Banks was the first Afro-American to break through the swimsuit edition cover in 1996 alongside Valeria Mazza. The following year, she became the first Afro-American to be featured solo on the same cover.

The renowned model and social media sensation has branched out to television, hosting her podcast, The Tyra Banks Shows, and creating the reality competition shows America's Next Top Model and True Beauty.

Full name

Tyra Lynne Banks

Date of birth

4 December 1973

Place of birth

Inglewood, California, the United States of America

Age

50 years of age (as of 2024)

Nationality

American

Social media presence

Instagram, Facebook, YouTube

6. Paulina Porizkova

What model has been on Sports Illustrated the most?
Paulina Porizkova attends the Stillwater New York Premiere at Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center on 26 July 2021 in New York City. Photo: Michael Loccisano
Source: Getty Images

At this point, you can tell that Czech is the mother of most models worldwide. Porizkova landed the cover of the magazine's swimsuit issue in two consecutive years, 1984 and 1985. Moreover, she is the youngest model to break through the magazine's cover.

From 1988 to 1995, Paulina was the face of Estee Lauder in the highest modelling contract. In addition, people and Harper's Bazaar magazines once named the most beautiful swimsuit model in the world.

Full name

Paulina Porizkova

Date of birth

9 April 1965

Place of birth

Czechoslovakia

Age

58 years of age (as of 2024)

Nationality

Czech American

Social media presence

Instagram, Twitter

5. Cheryl Tiegs

Most famous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models
Cheryl Tiegs at Project Angel Food's Angel Awards Gala at Project Angel Food on 14 September 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Araya Diaz
Source: Getty Images

At the fifth position sits Cheryl Tiegs, the first model to ever be on the cover of the magazine's swimsuit edition thrice, in 1970 and 1975 and later in 1983. She is one of those swimsuit models who have amassed significant male fan bases thanks to her flawless body.

In 2004, the renowned swimsuit model was named to the magazine's Hall of Fame. Additionally, she is the first supermodel to enter the retail world with her signature clothing and accessories line.

Full name

Cheryl Rae Tiegs

Date of birth

25 September 1947

Place of birth

Breckenridge, Minnesota, the United States of America

Age

76 years of age (as of 2024)

Nationality

American

Social media presence

Twitter

4. Christie Brinkley

Who was the first swimsuit model for Sports Illustrated?
Christie Brinkley attends the 35th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards on 30 November 2021 in New York City. Photo: Jamie McCarthy
Source: Getty Images

Christie Brinkley was the first model to land the coveted cover of the magazine's swimsuit issue thrice in 1979, 1980, and 1981. The model was also the face of Cover Girl magazine for a record-setting 25 years, the longest-running contract between a model and a cosmetic company in history.

The famed Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model has appeared on magazine covers more than 500 times. She has been consistently named as one of the most gorgeous women of all time by several publications such as Playboy, Allure and Men's Health.

Full name

Christie Lee Brinkley

Date of birth

2 February 1954

Place of birth

Detroit, Michigan, the United States of America

Age

70 years of age (as of 2024)

Nationality

American

Social media presence

Instagram, Twitter

3. Kathy Ireland

Who is the most popular Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model?
Kathy Ireland attends the Red Dress: Go Red for Women Fashion Show at Hammerstein Ballroom on 8 February 2018 in New York City. Photo: Gary Gershoff
Source: Getty Images

Kathy Ireland is among the most famous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models in the world. She was featured in both 1989 and 1992 covers before she finally graced it a third time in 1994 while pregnant.

As of December 2024, the famed swimsuit model is the CEO and Chief Designer of Kathy Ireland Worldwide, her company specialising in brand product marketing.

Full name

Kathleen Marie Ireland

Date of birth

20 March 1963

Place of birth

· Glendale, California, the United States of America

Age

60 years of age (as of 2024)

Nationality

American

Social media presence

Instagram, Twitter

2. Elle Macpherson

Who is Sports Illustrated 2022 swimsuit model?
Elle Macpherson wears a beige lace pattern high neck long sleeves body suit and matching during Paris Fashion Week on 4 July 2022 in Paris, France. Photo: Edward Berthelot
Source: Getty Images

Elle Macpherson has graced the cover of the swimsuit issue the most significant number of times. She was featured solo in 1986, 1987, and 1988 before sharing the cover with other models in 1994 and 2006.

The renowned Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model is now the executive producer of Fashion Star and Britain and Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model.

Full name

Eleanor Nancy Macpherson

Place of birth

Cronulla, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Date of birth

29 March 1964

Age

59 years of age (as of 2024)

Nationality

Australian

Social media presence

Instagram

1. Kate Upton

Who was the first swimsuit model for Sports Illustrated?
Kate Upton, wife of Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros, participates in the World Series Parade on 7 November 2022 in Houston, Texas. Photo: Carmen Mandato
Source: Getty Images

And now, to the best Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model of all time, meet Kate Upton, renowned for being the reigning queen in the modelling industry. She appeared on the cover for two consecutive years, 2012 and 2013.

In 2011, the famed model made her debut in the swimsuit issue when she became the Rookie of the Year. Additionally, she has appeared in several films like Tower Heist and The Three Stooges.

Full name

Katherine Elizabeth Upton

Place of birth

St. Joseph, Michigan, the United States of America

Date of birth

10 June 1992

Age

31 years of age (as of 2024)

Nationality

American

Social media presence

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Today, thousands of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models are gracing the sports industry. Some of them take roles both in the industry and away from it. These models endorse sports like basketball, the national football league, soccer, and many others.

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.