Winter may as well be over, because as of right now things will be getting hot. Yes, that's right—the 2013 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is finally here, and in honor of Kate Upton's steamy cover, we look back at some of the hottest models ever to snag the coveted spot.
We look back at some of the hottest models ever to snag the coveted spot.
This Wonder from Down Under holds the record for appearing front and center five times. Her very first drool-worthy cover in 1986 catapulted her to fame and kept her coming back 4 more times (including 3 consecutive years in a row). Is it bad that we still dream of seeing more of Elle's Aussie assets?
In 1996, Tyra Banks broke barriers as the first African-American woman to be featured on the cover of the iconic swimsuit edition. And once we got our hands on it we realized that we'd been waiting much too long for her. Luckily Victoria's Secret came calling soon after and the rest was supermodel history.
Brooklyn may have only recently achieved cover model status with her 2010 appearance, but we haven't been able to stop thinking of her since...all we have to say is thank you veryvery much to whoever decided to untie her tiny, yellow bikini top that year.
Kate Upton rocked the side-boob so well last year, they brought her back for 2013 and men everywhere rejoiced. This year the 20-year old Florida native goes 'Polar Bare' according to the coverline as she poses in little more than a scarf and boots in icy-cold Antarctica.
Lady Bey was the first, and so far still the only, non-model to appear on the cover and it's not hard to see why. The 2009 edition put the singer/dancer/actress' bootylicious curves on display in the sand and we definitely did not mind.
If you hit puberty in the 70's you probably had a poster of this sexy swimsuit model hanging by your bed. Guys around the globe owe Cheryl big time for getting them through those awkward years and for changing the face (and the future) of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue—although she sported an odd long-sleeve sweater (WTF?!) in 1970, her second cover in 1975 flaunted more cleavage than any previous issue ever dared.
What could be better than a swimsuit cover model? How about a supersized version of her? This Israeli hottie's 2009 cover was so spectacular, they had to put it on a plane. Literally.
In 1989 Kathy Ireland's first cover (also the 25th anniversary of the swimsuit edition) became SI's best selling swimsuit issue. One look at her slicked back hair, shimmering wet body, and teeny yellow bikini and it's not too hard to see why.
While Shayk may not be a household name, this gorgeous Russian's voluptuous...lips (as well as some other voluptuous parts) from her 2011 cover will forever be engrained in our minds.
No swimsuit model story would be complete without a nod to "The Body". Klum's first cover appearance in 1998 paid extra special attention to her killer curves and got guys up-close with her Bavarian beauties. Not surprisingly the Project Runway star's career skyrocketed soon after.
Victoria's Secret's 10 Hottest Angels Ever
Page Title:
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Hottest Cover Models in Bikinis