SOME INFO:

Christie Brinkley - Perhaps the most famous SI girl, Christie was the first swimsuit issue model to have three consecutive covers ( 1979-81), before this feat was also achieved by Elle Macpherson and Kathy Ireland in later years. Christie's all-American girl appearance and curvy body has made her one of the most popular and best remembered SI models of all time. There's really not much else to say! She's Christie Brinkley!

Kathy Ireland - With her amazing body, girl-next-door persona and piercing crystal blue eyes, Kathy Ireland is held as the " most popular" of the SI swimsuit models. Kathy's first cover in 1989 remains the best selling Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue in the magazines history. Not only this, but the magazine's founder, Julie Campbell, often claimed that Kathy received the most fan mail out of any of the models and that, when Kathy was only briefly featured in the issue one year, the SI offices were flooded with complaints. Kathy graced the cover of SI for a fourth and final time in 1994, where she was able to hold her own against fellow cover models Elle " the body" Macpherson and Rachel Hunter despite being pregnant. Not bad.

Elle Macpherson - Elle Macpherson tops so many ' Greatest SI swimsuit model' lists it's almost dangerous to include her. The leggy Miss Macpherson is famed for her perfect physique, not to mention the fact that she has graced the cover of the SI swimsuit issue a total of five times, including three consecutive covers in 1986-88' and a more recent appearance in 2006 at the age of 42. As of 2009, Elle still possess more SI swimsuit covers than any other model, and it seems doubtful that this record will ever be topped.

Cheryl Tiegs - In the eyes of many, Tiegs is the original. An iconic poster from the 1970's of Cheryl in a pink bikini remains the highest grossing model poster of all time, and in 1978, her body in a legendary white cotton fishnet swimsuit created perhaps the most famous image to ever come out of the SI swimsuit issue. Cheryl first graced the cover of SI in 1970, with two following covers in 75' and 83'. Now 61, Cheryl continues modeling and has even jumped back into her swimsuit once or twice!

Paulina Porizkova - Paulina and SI just go together. In her day, Paulina was a SI staple, despite the fact that was an odd choice for a swimsuit magazine. Although incredibly beautiful, Paulina did not have the curves that many of her fellow SI models possessed. What made the difference was that Paulina could pose like no other, and so regardless of her slim frame she could give the illusion of a full figure, and she soon became well known and loved for her work in SI, landing her first SI swimsuit cover in 1984 ( can anyone forget that cover?), and again the following year.

P.S: I have tried to give pictures that are only from the SI swimsuit magazine. If I have included any images that are not from the magazine, please let me know and I'll replace them asap! Have fun voting! xx

ADD:Paulina Porizkova has been added as a voting option because I felt she should be on the list! xx

Elle x 3

Christie

Elle

Christie

they're all great though!

Elle Macpherson x3

elle x3

I don't see how any, "greatest" list could be complete without the inclusion of Daniela Pestova.

^ I will add her for you and put pictures, but I wont write a bio.

I hope everyone is okay with that add. xxXxx

EDIT: Not adding Daniela to this list because I just got a trojan on my PC looking for pictures of her. I will do another list later and put her in it. xx

I don't see how any, "greatest" list could be complete without the inclusion of Daniela Pestova.

Daniela is a 90's SI girl, I do not know why she should be with girls that mostly were 80's SI models??

I love Daniela but someone (not Kiki=) should start a pole with the 90's models of SI :

Daniela

Tyra

Josie

Veronica Varekova

Laetitia casta

Heidi Klum

and many more!

Paulina for the face

than Elle for the rest!

Christie x3

Face: Paulina

Body: Kathy

Overall: Kathy

Elle

Kathy

Elle

Christie and Elle... I chose Christie

Paulina Porizkova x3