Kate Upton Is Remarkable in These 5 SI Swimsuit Pics From Mexico

The model and brand legend landed the cover of the 60th anniversary magazine.
Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Mexico.
Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Mexico. / Yu Tsai /Sports Illustrated

Kate Upton is no stranger to being an SI Swimsuit Issue cover girl. The model landed two back-to-back covers in 2012 and ’13, followed by her third in 2017. With the publication of the 60th anniversary magazine, the 31-year-old model, mother and entrepreneur landed yet another front page feature, this time following her photo shoot in Mexico with Yu Tsai.

“After my first cover with [SI Swimsuit] in 2012, it really started this conversation about body positivity and inclusivity,” Upton stated of her history with the brand. “When I look back at my first cover, I see how young I was and I also can’t help but be taken back to that massive moment [when] that cover launched and that conversation of my body and what my body was.”

View her 2024 SI Swimsuit gallery here.

View her 2024 SI Swimsuit legends gallery here.

This year, Upton is back and more confident than ever. She’s grown a ton since she first stepped onto an SI Swimsuit set, and has a strong support system in her friends and family, including husband Justin Verlander and their young daughter, Genevieve.

“When I look back [at] my first cover in 2012, I was 19-years-old. And now I’m 31 and shooting [for] the 60th anniversary [issue] and so much in my life has changed,” she added. “Personally, I have a daughter, I have a great husband and a really full life, not just my career.”

We’re thrilled to welcome Upton back to the fold this year. In addition to her feature in Mexico, she also took part in a legends photo shoot in Hollywood, Fla. Check out a few of our favorite snaps from her beachside feature below.

Kate Upton
Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Mexico. Swimsuit by Eres. / Yu Tsai /Sports Illustrated
Kate Upton
Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Mexico. Swimsuit by Normaillot. / Yu Tsai /Sports Illustrated
Kate Upton
Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Mexico. Swimsuit by Tropic of C. Top by Sergio Hudson / Yu Tsai /Sports Illustrated
Kate Upton
Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Mexico. Swimsuit by Agent Provocateur. / Yu Tsai /Sports Illustrated
Kate Upton
Kate Upton was photographed by Yu Tsai in Mexico. Swimsuit by Moncler. / Yu Tsai /Sports Illustrated

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Cara O’Bleness

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.