Christie Brinkley appeared on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover for three consecutive years from 1979 to 1981.
Her run began with the 1979 issue and continued through the 1980 and 1981 editions, making her one of the publication’s most recognizable early cover stars. The achievement helped establish her as a major American model during the transition into the supermodel era.
Brinkley also became closely associated with CoverGirl cosmetics, signing a long-running contract with the brand. Her career included fashion, beauty advertising, television, and business ventures.
Elle Macpherson is another model strongly linked with Sports Illustrated, but her famous cover record was five appearances rather than Brinkley’s three consecutive covers. That distinction is a common source of confusion when comparing the magazine’s best-known swimsuit models.