The latest issue of the highly anticipated Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition was released this week with Kate Upton gracing the cover. The 19-year-old American model wears a red-string bikini and shows off her body on the 2012 SI cover.
The popular Swimsuit Edition has featured models, actresses, singers and sports stars for more than fifty years. The magazine often helps propel models to supermodel status. Many of the past cover girls, including Tyra Banks, Christine Brinkley and Cheryl Tiegs, became supermodels and sex symbols after gracing the magazine's cover.
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition is often credited with making the bikini, invented in 1964, a legitimate piece of swimwear. However, many of the Sports Illustrated issues from the 60s, 70s and 80s feature models wearing one-piece bathing suits, rather than bikinis.
Take a look at photos of the 20 hottest covers of all time. The hottest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Editions feature Kate Upton, Cheryl Tiegs, Christine Brinkley, Paulina Porizkova, Elle Macpherson, Vendela Kirsebom, Tyra Banks, Marisa Miller, Bar Refaeli, Brooklyn Decker, Irina Shayk, and more.
Daniela Pestova graced the cover of the 2000 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Pestova is a Czech model who has appeared on the covers of GQ, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Glamour and Elle. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdAmerican model Kate Upton is the cover girl for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition this year. The 19-year-old model was first featured in Sports Illustrated in 2011 when she was named Rookie of the Year.Sports IllustratedRussian supermodel Irina Shayk graced the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover. The 26 year old has been modeling in the SI Swimsuit editions since 2007. Sports IllustratedBrooklyn Decker graced the 2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover. The 24-year-old American fashion model and actress is married to tennis player Andy Roddick. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdBar Refaeli was the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition cover girl. The Israeli model is best known for her relationship with American actor Leonardo DiCaprio. She began modeling at the age of eight months old and has been featured in a range of publications including Maxim, GQ, Elle and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdSupermodel Marisa Miller was the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover girl in 2008. The 33-year-old model became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2007. In 2008, she was ranked #1 on Maxim's "Hot 100" list, the same year she graced the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover. Sports IllustratedCarolyn Murphy graced the 2005 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover. The 38-year-old American model and actress was named "Model of the Year" by VH1 and Vogue in 1998. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdVeronica Varekova graced the 2004 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover. The Czech model has worked for Victoria's Secret, NIVEA, Guess?, Chanel, Pantene and other companies. She has also been a cover girl for a number of publications, including Marie Claire, Harpers & Queen and Cosmopolitan. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdYamila Diaz was the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover girl in 2002. Diaz is an Argentinian model and has appeared on the covers of GQ, Glamor, Maxim, Elle and Shape. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdElsa Benitez graced the 2001 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover. The Mexican model has also appeared on the covers of Elle, Glamour, Mademoiselle, Harper's Bazaar and Marie Claire. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdThe first Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition came out in 1964 with Babette March gracing the cover. According to a Sports Illustrated retrospective, Babette March was the highest paid model of her time when she worked for Ford Models in the 1960s. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdTyra Banks graced the cover of the 1997 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Banks worked for Victoria's Secret as one of the original Angels. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdVendela Kirsebom graced the 1993 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover. Kirsebom is a Norwegian-Swedish model and actress. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdElle Macpherson graced the cover of the 1986 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Macpherson is an Australian model, actress and businesswoman. She gained the nickname "the body" after her 1980s SI Swimsuit Edition covers. She graced the cover in 1986, 1987 and 1988. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdPaulina Porizkova graced the cover of the 1985 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. She had previously modeled on the cover of the 1984 edition as well. Porizkova is a Czech-American model and was the first woman from Central Europe to grace SI's cover. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdIn a much sexier bikini, Christine Brinkely graced the cover of the 1980 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition as well. The American model was on the Swimsuit Edition's cover three times, including 1979, 1980 and 1981. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdChristine Brinkley graced the 1979 cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Although Brinkley wears a full piece on the cover, the cut of the suit makes it alluring and sexy. Most of the SI covers from the 60s and 70s include models wearing one piece suits. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdCheryl Tiegs graced the cover of the 1975 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. The 1975 cover was the first that showed significant cleavage. Tiegs' previous cover in 1970 had the American model wearing a cover-up, which showed no skin besides parts of her legs.Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdDayle Haddon graced the sexy cover of the 1973 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Haddon is a Canadian model and actress who appeared nude in the April 1973 issue of Playboy magazine. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit EdSunny Bippus graced the cover of the sexy 1966 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Ed
