Tyra Banks Celebrates Swimsuit Edition’s 50th Anniversary With Bikini Pics

How else did you expect Tyra Banks to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition? The model shared a few bikini photos on Twitter today in honor of the magazine’s 50th birthday.

Banks landed her first Swimsuit Edition cover back in 1996 alongside Valeria Mazza. It was the first time that Sports Illustrated used a black woman on the cover.

My 1st ever @SI_Swimsuit cover. Wouldn’t be where I am now, if it weren’t 4 this cover. Grateful. Thankful. Blessed. pic.twitter.com/mH3Iv151l5

— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) February 4, 2014

Tyra earned another cover the following year. This time it was just her and an itsy bitsy teenie weenie red polka dot bikini.

She wore an itsy bitsy teenie weenie (RED) polka dot bikini on her 2nd @SI_Swimsuit! Happy 50th birthday SI Swim! pic.twitter.com/9USVYSFXY0

— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) February 4, 2014

Tyra Banks isn’t the only one celebrating Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition tonight. NBC is airing a special, 50 Years Of Beautiful, in honor of the magazine.

Only five women have been on the cover more than Tyra Banks. Christie Brinkley, Kathy Ireland, Cheryl Tiegs, and Daniela Pestova have all been on the cover three times. Elle Macpherson still leads the way with five Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition covers.