Swimsuit

Two-Time Cover Model Elsa Benitez Is a Star in These 8 Vintage SI Swim Photos

The legend was featured in the magazine six times and landed on the front in 2001 and ’06.

Ananya Panchal

Elsa Benitez.

Elsa Benitez.

SI Swimsuit supermodel Elsa Benitez just made her fabulous return to the runway nearly a decade after she last worked with the brand for the 50th anniversary issue in 2014. She walked SI Swimsuit’s Runway Show at Miami Swim Week on Friday.

The six-time brand model landed the cover in 2001 after she was photographed by Stewart Shining in Tunisia, just one year after her debut in Malaysia with Robert Erdmann. She also landed on the front of the 2006 issue following her photoshoot in the Bahamas.

Benitez, 45, shares a 20-year-old daughter, Mila, with her ex-husband, former basketball player Rony Seikaly. The Mexico native has appeared in campaigns for notable brands including Chanel, Christian Dior and Oscar de la Renta. She also served a stint as a TV presenter.

Below are eight iconic throwback photos of Benitez from the early 2000s.

2000

Elsa Benitez was photographed by Robert Erdmann in Malaysia.

Elsa Benitez was photographed by Robert Erdmann in Malaysia.

Elsa Benitez was photographed by Robert Erdmann in Malaysia.

Elsa Benitez was photographed by Robert Erdmann in Malaysia.

Elsa Benitez was photographed by Robert Erdmann in Malaysia.

2001

Elsa Benitez was photographed by Stewart Shining in Tunisia.

Elsa Benitez was photographed by Stewart Shining in Tunisia.

Elsa Benitez was photographed by Stewart Shining in Tunisia.

Elsa Benitez was photographed by Stewart Shining in Tunisia.

Elsa Benitez was photographed by Stewart Shining in Tunisia.

Elsa Benitez was photographed by Stewart Shining in Tunisia.

Elsa Benitez was photographed by Stewart Shining in Tunisia.

2004

Elsa Benitez was photographed by Walter Iooss Jr. in Montauk, N.Y.

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Ananya Panchal
ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When she is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, Panchal can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. Panchal has a bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Boston University.

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