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What model has the most Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers?

With the magazine’s future now under a cloud of uncertainty, here’s a look at one of its more famous publications and those who have graced its cover.

Paul Rudder
Paul RudderEnglish_AS
With the magazine’s future now under a cloud of uncertainty, here’s a look at one of its more famous publications and those who have graced its cover.
JEENAH MOONREUTERS

Without doubt, you would have seen Martha Stewart gracing the famed cover of Sports Illustrated back in May of 2023. The business mogul became the oldest model ever to appear on the cover while Kim Petras - a model who appeared alongside Stewart - became the first openly trans woman to do so. Yet, who has appeared on the magazine’s cover more than anybody else? Let’s find out.

The honor of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition cover

Regardless of where you stand on the topic, there is no overstating the importance and prestige that’s associated with being featured as the cover model for Sports Illustrated’s annual swimsuit edition. Indeed, there are magazines and websites dedicated to covering the topic. What began as a short photo spread featuring women in bathing suits in the early 1960s has since grown into one of the most prestigious fashion shoots in the world today, one that has is seen as THE fashion issue which the world’s top models and celebrities turn to for beachwear.

Who are the models that have been on the most covers?

As you can probably guess by now, the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition has been graced by some of the world’s most beautiful women, many of whom have been top models of their time. From Christie Brinkley to Tyra Banks, to Heidi Klum, and of course Elle Macpherson, Sports Illustrated has given a platform to some of the fashion world’s most commercially appealing women and has taken them to new heights. So, who reigns supreme among them all? That honor belongs to Elle Macpherson who appeared on the cover no less than five times (1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, and 2006). The Australian beauty is followed by a who is who of the world’s top models over the years. You can see the complete list of women who have appeared on multiple covers below:

Five Covers

  • Elle Macpherson - (1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, and 2006)

Three Covers

  • Cheryl Tiegs (1970, 1975, 1983)
  • Christie Brinkley (1979, 1980, 1981)
  • Kathy Ireland (1989, 1992, 1994)
  • Daniela Pestova (1995, 2000, 2006)
  • Kate Upton (2012, 2013, 2017).

Two Covers

  • Paulina Porizkova (1984, 1985)
  • Rachel Hunter (1994, 2006)
  • Tyra Banks (1996, 1997)
  • Rebecca Romijn (1999, 2006)
  • Elsa Benitez (2001, 2006)
  • Yamila Diaz-Rahi (2002, 2006)
  • Veronika Verekova (2004, 2006)
  • Carolyn Murphy (2005, 2006)