Tyra Banks, 45, covers 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in tiny bikini

Talk about a comeback.

Tyra Banks came out of retirement from the modeling industry at the age of 45 to pose in a tiny yellow bikini on the cover of the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Back in 1997, the supermodel made history as the first black woman to be featured solo on the cover of the magazine, wearing a red bikini with pink polka dots. The previous year, she made her SI Swimsuit debut alongside model Valeria Mazza; this marks her third time covering the iconic issue.

“My first one was 23 years ago, how crazy is that,” Banks said on “Good Morning America,” where she revealed her new cover. “I’m like damn — I’m 45, dog!”

Photographed by Laretta Houston in Great Exuma, Bahamas, Banks showed off her signature smize in a yellow Andi Bagus string bikini ($55).

“Since Tyra’s first cover in 1996, she’s transformed herself into nothing less than a mogul, a cultural force and a supernova of inspiration and empowerment,” said SI Swimsuit Editor MJ Day in a statement. “She’s kind of the Swimsuit Issue ethos come to life, everything we know this franchise can be.”

Soccer player Alex Morgan and SI Swimsuit rookie (and Rob Gronkowski‘s girlfriend) Camille Kostek also snagged their own covers this year. Inside of the issue, on sale now, are famous faces like Victoria’s Secret model Barbara Palvin, Jasmine Sanders, Lindsey Vonn, Olivia Culpo, Simone Biles and Winnie Harlow.

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