Take me down to Estrogen City 

With bathing suits on 

Where the girls are pretty! 

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has been an iconic magazine classic since its debut in 1964.  Since I have so many of the cover girls (or featured models) in my collection, I thought they deserved their own section. 

In chronological order: 

(1970, 1975, 1983) – Cheryl Tiegs was the first repeat cover girl of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.  And coincidentally was known primarily to me as the “Cover Girl” model.  She was everywhere in ads on TV for Cover Girl cosmetics and when I was 13, I had her famous pink bikini poster.  Shown here (among the many autographs I have of Cheryl Tiegs) is my carefully trimmed portion of the poster and a Cover Girl ad from a magazine that I had sent to her to sign.  When I was 13, I had no concept or know-how to send a fully rolled poster for an autograph!  Hell, I didn’t even have an address for her.  But I had read a book called “How to Break into Motion Pictures, Television Commercials and Modeling” by an agent named Nina Blanchard (13-year-old goalz).  So, I sent HER (Nina Blanchard) a fan letter in 1980 and asked her for Cheryl’s address.  For me, Cheryl Tiegs was the FIRST “supermodel” that I was aware of.   

(1981-1989) – Kelly Emberg appeared IN the Swimsuit issues, but not on the cover, 5 times during this period.  She also had a daughter with Rod Stewart in 1987.  Rod had a thing for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models as you will see as you keep reading.  

(1982) – Carol Alt was the cover model in February of 1982.  I really don’t know much about her other than watching her on “Celebrity Apprentice” and seeing her in tons of magazine ads.  I DO know that she’s really good with fan mail and that the autographs shown here where Carol is fully legible are simply NOT the way she signs her name.  It’s eye opening as I go through my collection, scrutinize for authentication and see so many likely forgeries. 

(1984, 1985) – Paulina Porizkova appeared twice as the Swimsuit cover girl, but she caught MY eye from being on MTV heavy rotation in the “Drive” video by The Cars.  Rock stars seem to have used the Swimsuit issue as a wife shopping catalog.  Anyway … I love Paulina specifically for two things.  She was caring for Ric Ocasek when he died, but they were in the middle of a divorce and his will had cut her out.  Thirty years of marriage and caring for him during surgery recuperation and cut out of the will.  Oh, hell no!  She fought and won: "They gave me what is mine under New York state law, and we’re done." Additionally, I love that Paulina speaks out about ageism and often posts pictures on social media that are natural, not filtered through gauze, and she embraces her age.  AND she weathers the storm, holds her own and claps back against trolls. A strong woman. 

(1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 2006) – Elle “The Body” Macpherson holds the record for most appearances on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.  She dated Billy Joel, he wrote two songs about their relation and Elle “is believed to be part of the inspiration” for “Uptown Girl”.  That could very well be, but Christie Brinkley starred in the video and Billy’s wife from 1985-1994, so CHRISTIE is always the ”Uptown Girl” in my mind.  Christie was a Swimsuit cover girl as well, but I’ll cover her separately.  Billy Joel and Elle & Christie. Rod Stewart and Kelly and Rachel. Rick Ocasek & Paulina.  There’s a pattern here.  And speaking of patterns, you will note that Elle’s authentic signature is loopy, big lettered and appears to be signed quickly.  The two that are grouped together in a single photo (stars and stripes suit and arm covering her breasts) are most likely not authentic; small letters that are neatly written and clearly legible.  Nope. 

(1989, 1992, 1994 – all covers) – Ok, let’s just start with Kathy Ireland supposedly has a net worth of roughly 500 MILLION dollars.  That’s right.  The girl who primarily became famous for appearing on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers is a business mogul.  Kathy Ireland Worldwide is no joke. With friends like Warren Buffet and inspirations like Elizabeth Taylor, Kathy’s business is so broadly diverse, that I want to know why SHE is not on “Shark Tank”. Home furnishings, music label, clothes, housewares, books, etc. And she’s a philanthropist to boot.  PLUS, she answers her fan mail and still looks amazing. I believe she’s working with the Romanian government to free Andrew Tate since she’s richer and more powerful than him. J/K 

(1989 – covers in 1994 & 2006) – Rachel Hunter has been in – and on the cover- of the swimsuit issue many times.  One of everybody’s favorites, she caught Rod Stewart’s eye, less than two years after Rod had a baby with fellow swimsuit model, Kelly Emberg.  Rod (46) and Rachel (21) got married in 1989 and had two children together.  This was after Rachel had broken up with Kip Winger to be with Rod.  The same year that Winger had their second biggest hit “Headed for a Heartbreak”.  Coincidence or biographical songwriting. Regardless, being a rock star has its perks. As does being a supermodel.  

(1993) – Vendela (Kirseborn) was on the Swimsuit cover in 1993.  I really don’t know much about her, except that she was engaged to Jon Peters at one time.  Peters, (who was Barbra Streisand’s longtime partner and producer of her 1976 “A Star is Born”) seems to be on the extreme side when it comes to churning through women.  He’s been married 5 times - including wives Lesley Ann Warren and Pamela Anderson (annulled).  There must be some serious issues going on with him.  Sounds like a commitment-phobe who was also found guilty of sexual harassment.  I’m glad Vendela dodged that bullet! 

(1994) – I know Patricia Velasquez primarily from “The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns” and for coming out as a lesbian, pre-woke-era.  She was in a layout of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in 1994.  Shown here is a great autographed photo of her.  I love the kick-ass stare directly into the camera. 

(1997-1998) Niki Taylor was in in the pages of the SI Swimsuit issue in 1997 and 1998 – also a Swimsuit calendar and some Sports Illustrated Swimsuit videos.  But then again, Niki Taylor was in her prime at the time and appearing regularly on magazine covers.  She was derailed in 2001 with a 2 and a half month hospital stay, serious internal injuries, physical therapy and over 56 operations including 2 steel rods being inserted to hold her spine together.  Because her boyfriend, the driver of the car, was trying to answer his cell phone.  We see these crash scenes played out repeatedly in films and TV shows, yet people are willing to gamble their lives (and others) on the daily. 

(1998) – “One day you’re in; the next day, you’re out.”  Heidi Klum’s catchphrase when she was hosting “Project Runway” always made me laugh.  The February 1998 SI Swimsuit cover girl has had a colorful career, a strong presence in the media and such a beautifully forthright and modern attitude.  She just exudes disciplined, yet positive, natural vibes and I like watching her in just about anything because she seems so authentic.  Unlike the signed index card shown here.  Heidi’s autograph is often subject to forgeries and the dead giveaways on the index card are as follows: Her H’s always have a left to right “smile” curve (not an up-and-over from the lower left of the H).  Her i’s are always smaller in size than the preceding e and d. Her K is done in a singular stroke and looks more like a capital U, without an added lower line for the right leg of the k.  To all forgers, I say “Auf Wiedersehen”.