Like most industries, there are a variety of highlights that signals to your peers and outsiders that you are the real deal and have something to say. In modeling, some of those include appearing on the cover of major magazines, one of which is the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Appearing on the cover of the American magazine has become a fashion and status symbol, which has led to the question, what supermodel has the most Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue appearances?
It is a question that elevates the status of supermodels beyond the one-off appearances that several models have recorded throughout their career, a fascinating turn in the status of an issue that started only as a way for Sports Illustrated magazine to fill its space during the slow sports news period of the year.
So, without further ado, let us take a look at the supermodel who has been the most on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Who Has Appeared Most On Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover?
The answer to that question is Elle Macpherson, an Australian model, businesswoman, actress and TV host who achieved the impressive feat in the 2006 issue of the magazine.
The appearance on the cover was a culmination of a series of appearances on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue that began in 1986. She went on to appear on the cover of the issue over the next two years, achieving the rare feat of appearing on the cover consecutively. The achievement led to the creation of her famous nickname “The Body”, which was given to by Time Magazine in 1989.
After the end of her run in 1988, Elle Macpherson returned to the cover of the issue in 1994 before she achieved the feat over a decade later in 2006, when the cover was released on the 17th of February, 2006.
Becoming the supermodel who has been the most on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is not the only major achievement that Elle Macpherson holds in her career. She has been the executive producer of several fashion programs and reality shows, including Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model and Fashion Star.
Being a businesswoman, she has invested and partnered with several business ventures, such as her line of lingerie and skincare products named Elle Macpherson Intimates and The Body respectively.
As an actress, her filmography includes appearances in the movies The Mirror Has Two Faces, Batman and Robin, The Edge and on the show, Friends. She has also achieved the rare feat for a supermodel by hosting the iconic sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live.
As a model, Elle Macpherson’s status as the supermodel who has been the most on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is just one of many achievements she has to her name. She has appeared in several other major magazines such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Time, Maxim, GQ, Marie Claire, and several others. She has also appeared on the cover Elle magazine six consecutive times.
Aside from her appearances on the cover of magazines, she has also walked the runway for brands like Christian Dior, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors and several more and she has also been the face of advertising campaigns for Victoria’s Secret, H&M, Revlon, Escada and more.
Elle Macpherson long list of achievements also include being the first model to appear on a legal tender when she was honored by the twin-island of Antigua and Barbuda by making her the face of a series of postage stamps.
Combined with a series of successful business ventures, it is no wonder that the supermodel is worth an estimated $95 million.
Other Notable Records of the Magazine
While being the supermodel who has the most Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue appearance may be the Holy Grail of the magazine, some fascinating records have been held by other models.
Christie Brinkley holds the records for the first repeat cover model and also the first three-time cover model, Paulina Porizkova holds the record for the youngest Swimsuit Issue cover model. She appeared on the cover at the age of 18.
See Also: 12 Richest Models in The World Right Now and Their Net Worth
Others include Tyra Banks who was the first African-American cover model, a feat she achieved in 1996. In the following year, Tyra Banks also became the first African American solo cover model and the first with a dedicated special issue and Beyonce holds the record for the first non-model/non-athlete individual to appear on the cover on the illustrious magazine.
