By 1994, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue wasn’t just a magazine – it was a cultural juggernaut, and that year it delivered one of its most unforgettable covers yet.
Enter the ultimate trio: Kathy Ireland, Rachel Hunter and Elle Macpherson – bronzed, bombshell and firmly at the top of their game as they slipped into matching black bikinis and earned the nickname the ‘Dream Team.’
Ireland, now 63, was already SI royalty by then, having graced the coveted cover three times – in 1989, 1992 and, of course, that iconic 1994 issue.
Hunter, 56, was no stranger to the spotlight either, landing two covers of her own and racking up an impressive eight appearances across the glossy’s golden era.
As for Macpherson, the 62-year-old stunner practically owned the club, scoring five covers, including a three-year run in the late ’80s, before returning for more.
But life after that legendary cover took a decidedly unexpected turn, with the three former swimsuit sirens swapping sandy shoots for wildly different paths – from business empires to spiritual journeys and even deep-sea adventures.
Kathy Ireland, Rachel Hunter and Elle Macpherson stunned on the 1994 cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
But life after that legendary cover took a decidedly unexpected turn, with the three former swimsuit sirens swapping sandy shoots for wildly different paths; (pictured 1994)
Ireland didn’t just rest on her supermodel status – she stacked up titles as an actress, author, entrepreneur, designer and philanthropist, even twirling onto season eight of Dancing with the Stars.
But her biggest power move came off-camera: she launched Kathy Ireland Worldwide back in 1993, quietly building a retail empire that would make her one of the wealthiest models on the planet.
By 2015, she was sitting on a reported $420 million fortune.
The numbers only kept climbing, with her brand pulling in a staggering $3.1 billion in retail sales in 2021 alone, spanning everything from home furnishings to fashion and beyond.
These days, however, the boardroom has some serious competition, with Ireland swapping business meetings for bait and nets as she heads out lobster fishing with her husband, physician Greg Olsen.
The pair tied the knot back in 1988 and share three children, Erik, Lily and Chloe.
Meanwhile, Hunter was carving out her own headline-making path after being discovered at just 16.
At 21, she fell for rock legend Rod Stewart, and the whirlwind romance saw them marry just three months later in Beverly Hills.
Ireland didn’t just rest on her supermodel status – she stacked up titles as an actress, author, entrepreneur, designer and philanthropist, even twirling onto season eight of Dancing with the Stars; (pictured 2025)
These days, however, the boardroom has some serious competition, with Ireland swapping business meetings for bait and nets as she heads out lobster fishing with her husband, physician Greg Olsen; (pictured 2025)
At 21, Hunter fell for rock legend Rod Stewart, marrying him just three months later in Beverly Hills and welcoming two children before their high-profile split in 2006; (pictured 2026)
These days, Hunter’s life looks a world away from red carpets, with the former model embracing spirituality, sharing reflective posts online and frequently traveling to India; (pictured 2025)
Aussie icon Macpherson still holds the all-time record for the most Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers, outpacing even Kate Upton, who has graced the cover four times; (pictured 2025)
Now, Macpherson has firmly stepped into her wellness era, fronting her supplements brand WelleCo and positioning herself as a lifestyle guru, describing herself online as a ‘goddess with guts’; (pictured 2025)
The couple welcomed two children before their high-profile split in 2006.
These days, Hunter’s life looks a world away from red carpets, with the former model embracing spirituality, sharing reflective posts online and frequently traveling to India.
As for Macpherson, she didn’t earn the nickname ‘The Body’ for nothing.
The Aussie icon still holds the all-time record for the most Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers, outpacing even Kate Upton, who has graced the cover four times.
She also sits ahead of a roster of fellow icons – Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum and Daniela Peštová – who have each landed three covers.
Her career stretched far beyond the beach, too. She appeared in films like Batman & Robin and The Edge, proving she was more than just a swimsuit staple.
She also had a memorable stint on Friends and even hosted Saturday Night Live.
Off-screen, her love life proved just as headline-grabbing.
From her early marriage to photographer Gilles Bensimon to a rollercoaster romance with billionaire developer Jeffrey Soffer, her relationships often made headlines.
Now, Macpherson has firmly stepped into her wellness era, fronting her supplements brand WelleCo and positioning herself as a lifestyle guru, describing herself online as a ‘goddess with guts’.
