Top 10 Sexiest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Covers

since 1964 these images have been the

since 1964 these images have been the launching pad for female models all over

launching pad for female models all over

launching pad for female models all over the world welcome to watchmojo.com and

the world welcome to watchmojo.com and

the world welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for

today we’re counting down our picks for

today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 Sports Illustrated swimsuit

the top 10 Sports Illustrated swimsuit

the top 10 Sports Illustrated swimsuit covers I like me smiling usually but

covers I like me smiling usually but

covers I like me smiling usually but this time I was really happy because

this time I was really happy because

this time I was really happy because there wouldn’t be really sexy for this

there wouldn’t be really sexy for this

there wouldn’t be really sexy for this list we’re focusing on the most iconic

list we’re focusing on the most iconic

list we’re focusing on the most iconic cover shots of the SI swimsuit issue

cover shots of the SI swimsuit issue

cover shots of the SI swimsuit issue ranging from the first in 1964 to the

ranging from the first in 1964 to the

ranging from the first in 1964 to the present I love being on the beach I it

present I love being on the beach I it

present I love being on the beach I it was just simple I didn’t do anything to

was just simple I didn’t do anything to

was just simple I didn’t do anything to my hair I just put on that bikini number

my hair I just put on that bikini number

my hair I just put on that bikini number 10 Rebecca Romain as seen in the 1999

10 Rebecca Romain as seen in the 1999

10 Rebecca Romain as seen in the 1999 swimsuit special this American model has

swimsuit special this American model has

swimsuit special this American model has quite the personality and Rebecca

quite the personality and Rebecca

quite the personality and Rebecca remains playful relationship with the

remains playful relationship with the

remains playful relationship with the camera comes across loud and clear in

camera comes across loud and clear in

camera comes across loud and clear in her 1999 shoot for Sports Illustrated

her 1999 shoot for Sports Illustrated

her 1999 shoot for Sports Illustrated but threw one still moment photographer

but threw one still moment photographer

but threw one still moment photographer antoine de la captured a more elusive

antoine de la captured a more elusive

antoine de la captured a more elusive side of rebecca with the sapphire water

side of rebecca with the sapphire water

side of rebecca with the sapphire water of the virgin islands serving as the

of the virgin islands serving as the

of the virgin islands serving as the enlightening backdrop rebecca has the

enlightening backdrop rebecca has the

enlightening backdrop rebecca has the pose down pat and the swimsuit is just

pose down pat and the swimsuit is just

pose down pat and the swimsuit is just barely there yet this cover is all about

barely there yet this cover is all about

barely there yet this cover is all about the eyes remain sultry gaze conveys a

the eyes remain sultry gaze conveys a

the eyes remain sultry gaze conveys a sense of both sensuality and mystery I

sense of both sensuality and mystery I

sense of both sensuality and mystery I mean you know where else would I get the

mean you know where else would I get the

mean you know where else would I get the opportunity to see something like this

opportunity to see something like this

opportunity to see something like this number 9 Kate Upton one year after

number 9 Kate Upton one year after

number 9 Kate Upton one year after landing her first SI cover Kate Upton

landing her first SI cover Kate Upton

landing her first SI cover Kate Upton traded the Sun for a frigid shoot with

traded the Sun for a frigid shoot with

traded the Sun for a frigid shoot with photographer Derek Katella in Antarctica

photographer Derek Katella in Antarctica

photographer Derek Katella in Antarctica Antarctica was by far the most difficult

Antarctica was by far the most difficult

Antarctica was by far the most difficult shoot I’ve ever done I’m from Florida it

shoot I’ve ever done I’m from Florida it

shoot I’ve ever done I’m from Florida it was freezing cold and while the natural

was freezing cold and while the natural

was freezing cold and while the natural blues of the setting worked beautifully

blues of the setting worked beautifully

blues of the setting worked beautifully with the white theme and loose-fitting

with the white theme and loose-fitting

with the white theme and loose-fitting parka it’s the central positioning that

parka it’s the central positioning that

parka it’s the central positioning that makes this image such a classic although

makes this image such a classic although

makes this image such a classic although you probably won’t see a woman dressed

you probably won’t see a woman dressed

you probably won’t see a woman dressed like this in real life

like this in real life

like this in real life there’s certainly a natural element that

there’s certainly a natural element that

there’s certainly a natural element that Kate exuse it’s an unforgettable

Kate exuse it’s an unforgettable

Kate exuse it’s an unforgettable follow-up to an already iconic debut and

follow-up to an already iconic debut and

follow-up to an already iconic debut and there’s a symmetrical quality as well

there’s a symmetrical quality as well

there’s a symmetrical quality as well blending even more power to the frame it

blending even more power to the frame it

blending even more power to the frame it made me smile and laugh and

made me smile and laugh and

made me smile and laugh and that’s why I kept going number eight

that’s why I kept going number eight

that’s why I kept going number eight Heidi Klum captured by photographer

Heidi Klum captured by photographer

Heidi Klum captured by photographer Robert Kirkman this cover image

Robert Kirkman this cover image

Robert Kirkman this cover image undoubtedly highlights the physicality

undoubtedly highlights the physicality

undoubtedly highlights the physicality of the focal subject sexy foamies a

of the focal subject sexy foamies a

of the focal subject sexy foamies a curvy woman it doesn’t have to be skinny

curvy woman it doesn’t have to be skinny

curvy woman it doesn’t have to be skinny which I hate anyway as Heidi Klum noted

which I hate anyway as Heidi Klum noted

which I hate anyway as Heidi Klum noted about the shoot the specific goal was to

about the shoot the specific goal was to

about the shoot the specific goal was to accentuate the shape of her form as a

accentuate the shape of her form as a

accentuate the shape of her form as a result heidi produces an

result heidi produces an

result heidi produces an up-close-and-personal pose with the

up-close-and-personal pose with the

up-close-and-personal pose with the image minimizing the location yet

image minimizing the location yet

image minimizing the location yet thriving by way of the contemplative

thriving by way of the contemplative

thriving by way of the contemplative facade and while the text hints at the

facade and while the text hints at the

facade and while the text hints at the general setting the selling point is

general setting the selling point is

general setting the selling point is undoubtedly the natural beauty and

undoubtedly the natural beauty and

undoubtedly the natural beauty and charisma that would eventually make

charisma that would eventually make

charisma that would eventually make heidi such an iconic figure Alain was

heidi such an iconic figure Alain was

heidi such an iconic figure Alain was yelling at me this is it does the cover

yelling at me this is it does the cover

yelling at me this is it does the cover this is the cover and Robert is like

this is the cover and Robert is like

this is the cover and Robert is like this is the cover this is the cover of

this is the cover this is the cover of

this is the cover this is the cover of me while I’m thinking they probably say

me while I’m thinking they probably say

me while I’m thinking they probably say that to every girl’s number seven Nina

that to every girl’s number seven Nina

that to every girl’s number seven Nina Agdal Lily Aldridge and Chrissy Teigen

Agdal Lily Aldridge and Chrissy Teigen

Agdal Lily Aldridge and Chrissy Teigen for the fiftieth anniversary cover

for the fiftieth anniversary cover

for the fiftieth anniversary cover Sports Illustrated went slightly off

Sports Illustrated went slightly off

Sports Illustrated went slightly off brand by featuring three models on the

brand by featuring three models on the

brand by featuring three models on the cover at the Cook Islands location

cover at the Cook Islands location

cover at the Cook Islands location photographer James Macari chose a neon

photographer James Macari chose a neon

photographer James Macari chose a neon theme for the shoot in general yet the

theme for the shoot in general yet the

theme for the shoot in general yet the cover image demonstrates that bikini

cover image demonstrates that bikini

cover image demonstrates that bikini tops aren’t always part of the formula

tops aren’t always part of the formula

tops aren’t always part of the formula by focusing on a collective backside

by focusing on a collective backside

by focusing on a collective backside posed the image highlights a bond among

posed the image highlights a bond among

posed the image highlights a bond among the models while obviously showcasing

the models while obviously showcasing

the models while obviously showcasing their natural figures it also represents

their natural figures it also represents

their natural figures it also represents a departure from the norm for Si and

a departure from the norm for Si and

a departure from the norm for Si and it’s the positive vibes of Nina Lilly

it’s the positive vibes of Nina Lilly

it’s the positive vibes of Nina Lilly and Chrissy that truly bring life to the

and Chrissy that truly bring life to the

and Chrissy that truly bring life to the photograph it’s all about the energy

photograph it’s all about the energy

photograph it’s all about the energy that everybody comes to the shoot with

that everybody comes to the shoot with

that everybody comes to the shoot with and even though it is a lot of work a

and even though it is a lot of work a

and even though it is a lot of work a lot of early mornings we just go with it

lot of early mornings we just go with it

lot of early mornings we just go with it number six Kathy Ireland certainly one

number six Kathy Ireland certainly one

number six Kathy Ireland certainly one of the most accomplished models in SI

of the most accomplished models in SI

of the most accomplished models in SI swimsuit history Kathy Ireland doesn’t

swimsuit history Kathy Ireland doesn’t

swimsuit history Kathy Ireland doesn’t see the camera as well as it sees her

see the camera as well as it sees her

see the camera as well as it sees her even so photographer Robert huntzinger

even so photographer Robert huntzinger

even so photographer Robert huntzinger snapped a breathtaking image in 1992

snapped a breathtaking image in 1992

snapped a breathtaking image in 1992 featuring the exuberant model peering

featuring the exuberant model peering

featuring the exuberant model peering into the camera lens with a bold title

into the camera lens with a bold title

into the camera lens with a bold title that solidifies the location and a color

that solidifies the location and a color

that solidifies the location and a color palette that complements both Kathy and

palette that complements both Kathy and

palette that complements both Kathy and the lush background this image exudes of

the lush background this image exudes of

the lush background this image exudes of feeling of tranquility and grace and

feeling of tranquility and grace and

feeling of tranquility and grace and though Kathy’s 1989 debut has more of a

though Kathy’s 1989 debut has more of a

though Kathy’s 1989 debut has more of a daring feel the 1992 cover feels just a

daring feel the 1992 cover feels just a

daring feel the 1992 cover feels just a bit more natural and poignant if I

bit more natural and poignant if I

bit more natural and poignant if I really stopped and thought about it and

really stopped and thought about it and

really stopped and thought about it and I put my contact lenses in I’d probably

I put my contact lenses in I’d probably

I put my contact lenses in I’d probably run home number five the All Star past

run home number five the All Star past

run home number five the All Star past cover models issue for this cover image

cover models issue for this cover image

cover models issue for this cover image si offers a direct tease at the top for

si offers a direct tease at the top for

si offers a direct tease at the top for the one and only Heidi Klum yet it’s the

the one and only Heidi Klum yet it’s the

the one and only Heidi Klum yet it’s the site of eight topless supermodels that

site of eight topless supermodels that

site of eight topless supermodels that dominates the image photographer Raphael

dominates the image photographer Raphael

dominates the image photographer Raphael Mitsuko literally strips the models down

Mitsuko literally strips the models down

Mitsuko literally strips the models down as each of the eight all star beauties

as each of the eight all star beauties

as each of the eight all star beauties communicates a specific vibe to the

communicates a specific vibe to the

communicates a specific vibe to the camera it sparked fantasy in part

camera it sparked fantasy in part

camera it sparked fantasy in part naturalistic enhanced by the staging

naturalistic enhanced by the staging

naturalistic enhanced by the staging complete with a simple yet effective

complete with a simple yet effective

complete with a simple yet effective color scheme given the Assembly of the

color scheme given the Assembly of the

color scheme given the Assembly of the all-star models namely Veronica Vera

all-star models namely Veronica Vera

all-star models namely Veronica Vera Koba Elle Macpherson

Koba Elle Macpherson

Koba Elle Macpherson Rebecca Romain Rachel Hunter Daniela

Rebecca Romain Rachel Hunter Daniela

Rebecca Romain Rachel Hunter Daniela Petrova Elsa Benitez Carolyn Murphy and

Petrova Elsa Benitez Carolyn Murphy and

Petrova Elsa Benitez Carolyn Murphy and shamila Diaz the image has a certain

shamila Diaz the image has a certain

shamila Diaz the image has a certain energy and backstory that shines through

energy and backstory that shines through

energy and backstory that shines through and this iconic shot offers a

and this iconic shot offers a

and this iconic shot offers a breathtaking reminder of s i–‘s

breathtaking reminder of s i–‘s

breathtaking reminder of s i–‘s relationship with the modeling world

relationship with the modeling world

relationship with the modeling world like amazing film

like amazing film

like amazing film it all came Sherman came together number

it all came Sherman came together number

it all came Sherman came together number four

four

four Christie Brinkley before her a luring

Christie Brinkley before her a luring

Christie Brinkley before her a luring role in national lampoon’s vacation

role in national lampoon’s vacation

role in national lampoon’s vacation Christie Brinkley graced the SI swimsuit

Christie Brinkley graced the SI swimsuit

Christie Brinkley graced the SI swimsuit cover for three consecutive years while

cover for three consecutive years while

cover for three consecutive years while her 1980 shot is certainly a classic it

her 1980 shot is certainly a classic it

her 1980 shot is certainly a classic it was the first go-round that set the bar

was the first go-round that set the bar

was the first go-round that set the bar photographed by the now legendary Walter

photographed by the now legendary Walter

photographed by the now legendary Walter Yost jr. frankly thoroughly radiates a

Yost jr. frankly thoroughly radiates a

Yost jr. frankly thoroughly radiates a youthful and lively presence while

youthful and lively presence while

youthful and lively presence while showing little skin

showing little skin

showing little skin well comparatively speaking and though

well comparatively speaking and though

well comparatively speaking and though some images can feel contrived and

some images can feel contrived and

some images can feel contrived and staged this one gives the impression

staged this one gives the impression

staged this one gives the impression that Christie is simply having fun and

that Christie is simply having fun and

that Christie is simply having fun and someone just happened to take her

someone just happened to take her

someone just happened to take her picture of course her raised arms also

picture of course her raised arms also

picture of course her raised arms also create a symmetrical balance within the

create a symmetrical balance within the

create a symmetrical balance within the frame for the perfect shot almost every

frame for the perfect shot almost every

frame for the perfect shot almost every young model comes up imitates Christie’s

young model comes up imitates Christie’s

young model comes up imitates Christie’s clothes beautiful she’s got the classic

clothes beautiful she’s got the classic

clothes beautiful she’s got the classic pose number three Cheryl Tiegs a few

pose number three Cheryl Tiegs a few

pose number three Cheryl Tiegs a few years before Walter Yost jr.

years before Walter Yost jr.

years before Walter Yost jr. photographed the up-and-coming Christie

photographed the up-and-coming Christie

photographed the up-and-coming Christie Brinkley he inadvertently made Cheryl

Brinkley he inadvertently made Cheryl

Brinkley he inadvertently made Cheryl Tiegs a household name god I even took

Tiegs a household name god I even took

Tiegs a household name god I even took the picture

the picture

the picture they ran small probably the weakest

they ran small probably the weakest

they ran small probably the weakest picture in the whole story and a made

picture in the whole story and a made

picture in the whole story and a made her famous but while that particular

her famous but while that particular

her famous but while that particular image leaves little to the imagination

image leaves little to the imagination

image leaves little to the imagination the 1975 SI swimsuit cover is less

the 1975 SI swimsuit cover is less

the 1975 SI swimsuit cover is less blatant yet still seductive all the same

blatant yet still seductive all the same

blatant yet still seductive all the same splashing in the water of Cancun Mexico

splashing in the water of Cancun Mexico

splashing in the water of Cancun Mexico Teague’s exemplifies a more ethereal

Teague’s exemplifies a more ethereal

Teague’s exemplifies a more ethereal presence and like Kathy Ireland’s 1992

presence and like Kathy Ireland’s 1992

presence and like Kathy Ireland’s 1992 cover the frame is enriched with colors

cover the frame is enriched with colors

cover the frame is enriched with colors that accentuate the subject as such it

that accentuate the subject as such it

that accentuate the subject as such it creates a down-to-earth quality as

creates a down-to-earth quality as

creates a down-to-earth quality as Teague’s connects her body and mind with

Teague’s connects her body and mind with

Teague’s connects her body and mind with the location it’s similar to Cheryl’s

the location it’s similar to Cheryl’s

the location it’s similar to Cheryl’s 1983 cover also taken by yose but just a

1983 cover also taken by yose but just a

1983 cover also taken by yose but just a little more affecting number two Tyra

little more affecting number two Tyra

little more affecting number two Tyra Banks and Valerio masa yet another SI

Banks and Valerio masa yet another SI

Banks and Valerio masa yet another SI swimsuit cover photographed by Walter

swimsuit cover photographed by Walter

swimsuit cover photographed by Walter Yost jr. this one has special

Yost jr. this one has special

Yost jr. this one has special significance as a businesswoman Tyra

significance as a businesswoman Tyra

significance as a businesswoman Tyra Banks would later establish a legacy

Banks would later establish a legacy

Banks would later establish a legacy through America’s Next Top Model but in

through America’s Next Top Model but in

through America’s Next Top Model but in 1996 she became the first black woman

1996 she became the first black woman

1996 she became the first black woman featured on the cover of the Sports

featured on the cover of the Sports

featured on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue especially

Illustrated Swimsuit Issue especially

Illustrated Swimsuit Issue especially african-american woman and being so

african-american woman and being so

african-american woman and being so lucky and seeing so many of my kind

lucky and seeing so many of my kind

lucky and seeing so many of my kind struggling so much what’s also unique is

struggling so much what’s also unique is

struggling so much what’s also unique is the staging of banks and Valeria Mazza

the staging of banks and Valeria Mazza

the staging of banks and Valeria Mazza as the image acknowledges the obvious

as the image acknowledges the obvious

as the image acknowledges the obvious difference in skin color but also

difference in skin color but also

difference in skin color but also contains an earthly quality given the

contains an earthly quality given the

contains an earthly quality given the heavy amount of natural blue and the

heavy amount of natural blue and the

heavy amount of natural blue and the following year Tyra got the cover all to

following year Tyra got the cover all to

following year Tyra got the cover all to herself

herself

herself before we unveil our number one pick

before we unveil our number one pick

before we unveil our number one pick here are some honorable mentions

number one Elle McPherson after two

number one Elle McPherson after two consecutive years is the SI swimsuit

consecutive years is the SI swimsuit

consecutive years is the SI swimsuit cover model Elle McPherson emerged as a

cover model Elle McPherson emerged as a

cover model Elle McPherson emerged as a different kind of cover girl in 1988

different kind of cover girl in 1988

different kind of cover girl in 1988 captured by photographer Malky spout

captured by photographer Malky spout

captured by photographer Malky spout this image is vastly different from the

this image is vastly different from the

this image is vastly different from the more playful cover images of years past

more playful cover images of years past

more playful cover images of years past as the combination of Elle’s posture and

as the combination of Elle’s posture and

as the combination of Elle’s posture and facial expression creates a dominating

facial expression creates a dominating

facial expression creates a dominating effect it’s given me a lot more

effect it’s given me a lot more

effect it’s given me a lot more confidence in myself I can now look at

confidence in myself I can now look at

confidence in myself I can now look at the camera and be able to have a

the camera and be able to have a

the camera and be able to have a relationship with the camera the color

relationship with the camera the color

relationship with the camera the color tone adds to the bold aesthetic which

tone adds to the bold aesthetic which

tone adds to the bold aesthetic which only strengthens the penetrating eyes of

only strengthens the penetrating eyes of

only strengthens the penetrating eyes of the supermodel in retrospect the image

the supermodel in retrospect the image

the supermodel in retrospect the image proceeds a more liberal direction for

proceeds a more liberal direction for

proceeds a more liberal direction for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue yet it also stands alone as an

yet it also stands alone as an

yet it also stands alone as an undeniable SI swimsuit classic featuring

undeniable SI swimsuit classic featuring

undeniable SI swimsuit classic featuring a model in full command of her craft you

a model in full command of her craft you

a model in full command of her craft you know it’s that’s a blessing I’m

know it’s that’s a blessing I’m

know it’s that’s a blessing I’m eternally grateful do you agree with our

eternally grateful do you agree with our

eternally grateful do you agree with our list what’s your favorite Sports

list what’s your favorite Sports

list what’s your favorite Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover because it’s

Illustrated swimsuit cover because it’s

Illustrated swimsuit cover because it’s wonderful oh no thighs I’m trying to

wonderful oh no thighs I’m trying to

wonderful oh no thighs I’m trying to catch for more sexy top 10s published

catch for more sexy top 10s published

catch for more sexy top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to

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