Sports Illustrated's 50 Greatest Swimsuit Models (50-41)
This week, Sports Illustrated will be counting down its Top 50 all-time models, 10 per day, with the winner being revealed on Friday in conjunction with SI's Summer of Swim Event at Wynn Las Vegas. Check back all week as the list is revealed.
50. Genevieve Morton
Hometown: Benoni, South Africa
Years in Swimsuit issue: 5 (2010-13)
Social: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Morton had her coming out party with the Swimsuit issue in 2010 and has stayed on task for four consecutive years, emerging into one of SI’s most widely-adored models. She has also worked with GQ and Esquire and figures to continue her climb in the modeling profession over the coming years.
Random Fact: Morton’s hometown of Benoni, South Africa also produced world-renowned actress and model Charlize Theron.
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49. Babette March
Hometown: Berlin, Germany
Years in Swimsuit issue: 1 (1964)
The honorary cover girl for SI’s inaugural Swimsuit issue in 1964, March led a nomadic lifestyle. In the midst of traveling to different countries and states, she began her modeling career in 1962 when she was booked by Weekend Magazine. March soon grew into one of the world’s most famous models and was known for partying with all manner of famous public personas, including Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol.
Random Fact: A February 1989 SI feature on March deems her the “highest paid model of her day,” and claims she was “as ubiquitous as Beatle-mania.”
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48. Roshumba Williams
Hometown: Chicago
Years in Swimsuit issue: 5 (1990-92, 1994, 2004)
Social media: Twitter | Facebook
Following a successful modeling career in the ‘90s, Williams branched out into acting, writing and reality television. Along with appearing in several Swimsuit issues, Williams has done excellent work for Chanel, Christian Dior, Versace and Giorgio Armani, among others.
Random Fact: In 2007, Williams published The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Modeling, one of many volumes in Penguin Publishing USA’s well-read series.
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47. Cintia Dicker
Hometown: Campo Bom, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Years in Swimsuit issue: 5 (2009-13)
Social Media: Twitter | Facebook
With her trademark red hair and luscious lips, Dicker has starred on the covers of several notable magazines, including Marie Claire, D and Elle and has modeled for Victoria’s Secret, Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger and other prestigious brands. Dicker has been included in five consecutive Swimsuit issues.
Random Fact: Dicker only enters airplanes with her right foot.
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46. Laetitia Casta
Hometown: Pont Audemer, France
Years in Swimsuit issue: 5 (1997-2000, 2002)
Social media: Twitter | Facebook
A contract with acclaimed cosmetics company L’Oreal and a controversial if revealing shot on the cover of Rolling Stone’s 1998 “Hot” issue are some of the accolades that make Casta one of today’s more celebrated European models. Casta made her first Swimsuit appearance in 1997 and kept her place therein for four consecutive years.
Random Fact: Translated into Latin, Laetitia literally means “joy.”
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45. Hilary Rhoda
Hometown: Chevy Chase, Maryland
Years in Swimsuit issue: 3 (2009-11)
Social media: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Rhoda got her start with apparel brands like Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch before moving on to become the face of Estee Lauder in 2007. Rhoda’s work in recent Swimsuit issues has turned her into something close to a household name among the modeling cognoscenti.
Random Fact: Rhoda played field hockey and lacrosse for Academy of the Holy Cross, an all-female, Catholic high school.
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44. Noémie Lenoir
Hometown: Les Ulis, France
Years in Swimsuit issue: 6 (2000-01, 2003, 2004-06)
Social media: Twitter | Facebook
Since signing with L’Oréal in 1997, Lenoir’s modeling career has flourished. In addition to working with Gap, Victoria’s Secret and Next, Lenoir was the flagship of massive British retailer Marks & Spencer for four years in the mid-2000s and has made several Swimsuit issues over the past decade.
Random Fact: Lenoir’s success earned her a role in the music video of Usher’s 2009 hit single Hey Daddy.
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43. Yamila Diaz-Rahi
Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Years in Swimsuit issue: 9 (1999-2007)
Social media: Facebook
The new spokesperson for CoverGirl, and the first Latina to hold that title in the cosmetic brand’s illustrious history, Diaz has been featured in Victoria’s Secret and multiple Swimsuit issues, including cover shots in 2002 and 2006.
Random Fact: Diaz’s beauty transcends magazine covers and the runway; in 1999, she starred in Italian film Il Pesce Innamorato.
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42. Valeria Mazza
Hometown: Rosario, Argentina
Years in Swimsuit issue: 3 (1996-97, 2004)
Social media: Twitter
After debuting on the 1996 Swimsuit issue cover with Tyra Banks, Mazza instantly became a feted modeling entity for her bright blonde hair. She is believed to have lost some of her fans when, before several events, she died her hair dark. Later commenting on her hair color change, Mazza claimed, “no one recognized me.”
Random Fact: Mazza has often been mistaken for international modeling superstar Claudia Schiffer.
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41. Kelly Emberg
Hometown: Houston
Years in Swimsuit Issue: 5 (1981, 1983-84, 1986, 1989)
Social media: Twitter | Facebook
Emberg’s relationship and subsequent rocky break-up with Grammy-winning artist Rod Stewart is well-chronicled, but her modeling pedigree – which includes appearances in Glamour, Cosmopolitan and Vogue magazines, along with numerous captivating spreads in the Swimsuit issue – is arguably just as famous.
Random Fact: In the midst of a successful modeling career in New York City, Emberg discovered her love for gardening and has since developed and maintained an exquisite multi-acre plot in Rancho Santa Fe, California.
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