Kate Upton will always be the bikini queen…

She took the modeling world by storm when she first appeared in the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue at just 18 years old. Born in Michigan in 1992, Kate grew up riding horses competitively. It was at an equestrian competition that a modeling scout first noticed Kate’s all-American beauty, fresh face, and athletic figure. This fateful discovery kicked off Kate’s rapid trajectory to the peak of modeling success.

Kate’s debut in the coveted pages of the annual Swimsuit Issue launched her career overnight. With her iconic curves and vibrant personality, Kate ushered in a new era of American beauty and was dubbed “The New Body of the Year.” She soon became a Sports Illustrated favorite, gracing the sizzling covers of back-to-back issues in 2012 and 2013—a feat unmatched by any other model at that young of an age.

Repping relatable beauty, Kate rose to fame astoundingly fast thanks to being featured wrapped in nothing but bikinis in those glossy Sports Illustrated spreads. Today, Kate continues to model and act while also competing in her first love of equestrian sports, proving she is beauty and brawn through and through. With girl-next-door charm and a bombshell body, Sports Illustrated and Kate Upton were a perfect match that sparked a modeling empire in the making.