"Sports Illustrated" Swimsuit Issue: The Very first issue, who sported the cover over the years, and why is it a good deal for the models

Irina Shayk  is on the 2011 issue of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition.  She was born in Russia.

Babette March was on the very first issue in 1964. She was born Barbara Marchlowitz in Berlin on 1941. She had lived in Brazil, Germany and Canada. Babette worked as a hairdresser in Toronto before she moved to NYC in 1962  to model.   In the 1960's, she was one of the highest paid models for her time earning a reported sum of 85,000 dollars per year. .  Eileen Ford had once stated that Babette was the very first elite model who had a gap between her teeth.  She lived on Park Ave in NYC and would hang out with Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol. By 1976 Ms. March retired from modeling and moved to a farm near Montreal. At one point she had owned; 40 sheep, a herd of cattle,chickens,  14 dogs and 18 cats. She since married an architect and moved to Halfway, Oregon.  She gained a reputation for popularizing the bed and breakfast. She also has an art gallery, and is known for her cooking skills.

Cheryl Tiegs modeled in 1978. The sheer fishnet fabric was forward for its time.

Kathy  Ireland modeled the 25th anniversary edition in 1989. Today, she has a billion dollar fashion and home furnishings business bearing her name on the merchandise.

Brooklyn Decker modeled the issue for 2010. She is currently acting, and her first feature was with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Anisten.

. 

The very first Sports Illustrated came out in 1964.  The idea was conceived by editor, Andre Laguerre who did it to boost sales during the winter.  It was clear that since there were fewer sports to write about that the magazine had to creative to keep the magazine interesting.  He had assigned fashion reporter, Julie Campbell to come up with a list of models who would be good for the cover of the magazine. Model Babette March was the very first model to sport cover of  the issue. The magazine also had a 5 page spread inside of the Babette March modeling.  Over the years, there have been many famous faces who were featured in the special issue.  Some of them are: Cheryl Tiegs in 1978, Christie Brinkley in 1979, 80, and 81.  Cathy Ireland was on the 25th anniversary issue in 1989.  Most of the models were very successful before being featured on the magazine cover and many had gone on to Hollywood such as Christie Brinkley, Kathy Ireland, and Brooklyn Decker.