It is 50 years since Babette Beatty was the first model to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue, following a photo shoot in Mexico.
Babette's beach —
It is 50 years since Babette Beatty was the first model to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue, following a photo shoot in Mexico.
Sports Illustrated/J.Frederick Smith
Now living in the mountains of Oregon, Beatty is a painter -- and her husband is a sculptor.
New life —
Now living in the mountains of Oregon, Beatty is a painter -- and her husband is a sculptor.
babette beatty
The 2012 and 2013 issues had the same cover model, American actress and model Kate Upton. The latter was partly shot in Antarctica.
American beauty —
The 2012 and 2013 issues had the same cover model, American actress and model Kate Upton. The latter was partly shot in Antarctica.
Bryan Steffy/Getty Images
No-one has graced the cover more times than Australian model Elle MacPherson, who made her first appearance in 1986 and her most recent 20 years later.
'The Body' —
No-one has graced the cover more times than Australian model Elle MacPherson, who made her first appearance in 1986 and her most recent 20 years later.
Florian Seefried/Getty Images
Sports Illustrated has used all manner of marketing ploys to sell the magazine, most notably last year with a 55,000-square-foot video screen on Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.
Stakes are high —
Sports Illustrated has used all manner of marketing ploys to sell the magazine, most notably last year with a 55,000-square-foot video screen on Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated
In 2009, Israeli model Bar Refaeli's bikini-clad image was emblazoned on a Boeing 737, which flew between New York and Las Vegas.
Sky's the limit —
In 2009, Israeli model Bar Refaeli's bikini-clad image was emblazoned on a Boeing 737, which flew between New York and Las Vegas.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
Czech model Petra Nemcova was the cover star back in 2003. The following year she suffered serious injuries in the December tsunami in Thailand, which claimed the life of her fiance.
Survivor —
Czech model Petra Nemcova was the cover star back in 2003. The following year she suffered serious injuries in the December tsunami in Thailand, which claimed the life of her fiance.
Evan Agostini/Getty Images
Argentina's 2002 and 2006 cover star Yamila Diaz-Rahi was first discovered as a model while holidaying in Uruguay.
Sultry South American —
Argentina's 2002 and 2006 cover star Yamila Diaz-Rahi was first discovered as a model while holidaying in Uruguay.
DOUG KANTER/AFP/Getty Images
The identity of the cover star is a closely-guarded secret and the magazine does the utmost to keep it secret until publication, as in the case of 2001's Mexican model Elsa Benitez.
Surprise! —
The identity of the cover star is a closely-guarded secret and the magazine does the utmost to keep it secret until publication, as in the case of 2001's Mexican model Elsa Benitez.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
The inside pages of the magazine have seen an increasing number of sporting appearances, among them Maria Sharapova, who according to Forbes is the world's highest-paid female athlete.
There's something about Maria... —
The inside pages of the magazine have seen an increasing number of sporting appearances, among them Maria Sharapova, who according to Forbes is the world's highest-paid female athlete.
Angela Weiss/Getty Images for Porsche
Singer Beyonce is another to have made it into the magazine, appearing on the cover of the 2007 issue in a yellow bikini. The magazine billed it as: "The dream girl as you've never seen her before."
Dreamgirl —
Singer Beyonce is another to have made it into the magazine, appearing on the cover of the 2007 issue in a yellow bikini. The magazine billed it as: "The dream girl as you've never seen her before."
Charley Gallay/Getty Images
Model Upton, who has twice graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, attended a Hollywood party earlier in January to celebrate the magazine's 50th anniversary.
Hollywood party —
Model Upton, who has twice graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, attended a Hollywood party earlier in January to celebrate the magazine's 50th anniversary.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler was also at the party. He is pictured here with model Marisa Miller.
Rock model —
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler was also at the party. He is pictured here with model Marisa Miller.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Another model at the party was Katherine Webb who appeared in the 2013 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue cover stars —
Another model at the party was Katherine Webb who appeared in the 2013 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Tyra Banks was the first African American woman on the cover of the swimsuit issue when she posed with Valeria Mazza in 1996.
Ground breaking —
Tyra Banks was the first African American woman on the cover of the swimsuit issue when she posed with Valeria Mazza in 1996.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images