Bar Refaeli 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover

On February 9th, 2009 at the age of 23 it was announced that Bar Refaeli is the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model. This is Bar’s third year to brace the pages of the heated SI’s Swimsuit Issue and being a cover model, can be career-altering as it puts a model’s face in front of millions of eyeballs, appealing to both men and women. It’s the cover that matters most, says SI group editor Terry McDonell, but each model receives an equal shot at the cover. He went on to say, “The cover has to reflect the athleticism and sexiness of the culture. This photo is modern, her hair and swimsuit look natural. You see her freckles. Her body is amazing and she looks intelligent.” He also noted that the models have healthy, sometimes curvy, figures. “A skinny waif won’t work here.”

The cover photo shot was taken in the water on Canouan Island in the Grenadines. Refaeli told The Associated Press that she had the feeling that this particular shot of her was her chance to be on the front. Rafaeli said, “This is the one I felt the most comfortable with. You have the beach, blue water and a body. That’s it. I liked that the top of the suit was on.”

Bar Refaeli was born in 1985 in Hod HaSharon, Israel. She began a modeling career at the age of eight months, appearing in commercials. By the time Refaeli turned 15, she was featured in campaigns for the fashion brands Castro and Pilpel, and starred in a commercial for Milki. At the age of 15, Refaeli was represented by Irene Marie Models. In 2000 and 2001 she won the title “Model of The Year” in a beauty contest and was also chosen to be the home model of Renuar fashion network, appearing in their summer 2002 and winter 2003 catalogues. Refaeli has appeared in ELLE, Maxim, and GQ and debuted in the 2007 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, becoming the first Israeli model to appear in the magazine. She has been the spokesperson for fashion brand Luisa Cerano, modeled for Subaru, Accessorize, Brazilian clothing line, Besni, and Italian jewelry line Marco Bicego. Refaeli is signed to Storm Model Management in London, and 1/One Management in New York City. In 2008, Refaeli became the face of clothing line Hurley, and the new Diddy cologne, “I Am King.  In 2009, she will star in an English language film Session directed by Israeli Haim Bouzaglo. The film is a psychological thriller that tells the story of a manipulative psychiatrist, Josh Tellman, who becomes obsessed with a new young patient.

Click to view Bar Refaeli “In The Grenadines” 2009 Swimsuit Video!

Her on and off again relationship with Leonardo DiCaprio has helped her stand out over the recent year and the odds makers took notice. Refaeli posted 5-1 betting odds to make the swimsuit cover, which was the second favorite only behind Andy Roddick’s fiancee, Brooklyn Decker, the favorite with 3-2 odds. Last year’s cover model, Marisa Miller posted odds at 12-1. View our gallery of bikini models.