Who’s the most successful Sports Illustrated swimsuit model?

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Kate Upton is the biggest thing going in modeling. With her appearance on the cover of this year's Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, countless television appearances and a burgeoning acting career, the 19-year-old supermodel seems destined for superstardom. Yet she still has a long way to go if she's to become the most successful SI cover model in recent history.

A list compiled by guyism.com ranks the seven most successful SI swimsuit models of the past 30 years. "Project Runway" host Heidi Klum is No. 4 with a net worth of $70 million, 1980s favorite Christie Brinkley lands at No. 3, Tyra Banks and her $90 million come in at No. 2, all well behind Kathy Ireland, the three-time cover model who has an estimated net worth of $150 million.

The same week Upton graced her first SI cover, Ireland was the subject of a cover profile in a different sort of periodical. She landed on the front of this week's issue of Forbes as part of a profile of her lucrative company, Kathy Ireland Worldwide.

In 1993, Ireland was approached by a marketer who wanted to put her name on a line of apparel. She agreed and took out a $50,000 loan later that year to begin the company. It's now turned into a home furnishing empire that sells over $2 billion worth of products per year.



Once known for its fashion line at Kmart, Kathy Ireland Worldwide now turns out kitchen candles, sofas, window dressings, jewelry, knives, chairs and countless other products for the home. Ireland has input on designs and direction but "happily delegates" the business aspects to a trusted team.

Ireland has her own advice for how Upton can succeed beyond the camera. "Don't let anyone put you in a box," she advises.