Katie Austin isn’t afraid to fangirl over one particular SI Swimsuit model who she really admires. The fitness influencer, who co-won the Swim Search open casting call in 2021, has always said that she loves Kathy Ireland.
“Ahead of the upcoming 60th anniversary of SI Swimsuit, who do you consider to be the most iconic model in it’s history?” Christen Harper asked her fellow brand star during Miami Swim Week. “I know who you’re going to say,” she almost immediately added.
“Ahhh… O.K., who do you think I’m going to say?” Austin, who was photographed by James Macari in the Dominican Republic for this year’s issue, responded.
The reigning co-Rookies of the Year then yelled “Kathy Ireland” in sync, while playing a Q&A-style game of Jenga at the W South Beach.
Ireland is best known for her 11 consecutive SI Swimsuit appearances and three cover girl moments in 1989, ’92 and ’94. She made her debut in Aruba with photographer Paolo Curto, and most recently was featured in SI Swimsuit’s iconic 50th anniversary issue in 2014 alongside other brand legends. The 60-year-old is also a famous author and philanthropist as well as the founder of her own brand brand licensing company, kathy ireland Worldwide. She shares three adult kids, Erik, Lily and Chloe, with her husband Greg Olson.
Ireland was named to the first-ever Forbes America’s 50 Richest Self-Made Women list. She also appeared in the publication’s most recent 50 Under 50 – Lifestyle list and was inducted into the Licensing Hall of Fame last year.
