Sports Illustrated Taps Model Who Is 56 And Stands 5-Foot-3 [PHOTOS]

By CHRIS PIZZELLO Associated Press

CALABASAS, Calif. (AP) — Kathy Jacobs says it's important not to discount people because of their age or height. She should know — the petite 56-year-old is a brand new Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue model.

Jacobs, from Calabasas, California and who stands 5-foot-3-inches, hopes her appearance in the issue will help change readers' views of beauty.

"I'm just like so grateful that they took like a chance on me," says Jacobs. "Two things you can't change about yourself are how old you are and how tall you are."

The 2020 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue is online and on newsstands Tuesday. The cover features a trio of models — Olivia Culpo, Jasmine Sanders and Kate Bock, who also each have individual covers.

THANK YOU SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIM SEARCH I am beyond grateful that you and everyone involved with this amazing search exists on this planet to showcase ALL TYPES OF BEAUTY!!!!!! The Sports Illustrayed Swimsuit issue is out on July 21st!!!!

A post shared by Kathy Jacobs (@ageisbeauty) on Jul 15, 2020 at 8:03am PDT

MADE IN THE SHADE. #siswimsearch is the BEST THING EVER. OMG someone please take me back to this shoot in Turks with @mj_day and the @si_swimsuit dream team!! I even had my own private shade courtesy of Ozzy! I don't know his ig or I would tag him!!! So grateful to show what us gals over 55 can do!! . . . . . . . #over55 #over55fitness #over55sowhat #over55andfabulous #over55community #over55style #over50andfabulous #over50 #over50style #over50fitness @si_swimsearch #imnottooold #imnottoooldforthisshit #imnottoooldyet #dontgiveup #dontgiveuponyourself #dontgiveuponyourdreams

A post shared by Kathy Jacobs (@ageisbeauty) on Jul 9, 2020 at 9:06am PDT

I had fun shooting this hot little number from @si_swimsuit new swimsuit collection with @veronicasams even if it was windy and cold! check out the other styles on the link in their bio. #ownyourconfidence

A post shared by Kathy Jacobs (@ageisbeauty) on Jun 22, 2020 at 10:41am PDT

The original swimsuit issue ran in 1964. It has been a launching pad for models such as Kathy Ireland, Christie Brinkley, Elle Macpherson, Kate Upton and Ashley Graham.

Over the years the issue has tried to stay fresh, with painted bikinis, plus-sized models, unedited photos, tiny swimsuits, amputee models, older models and the addition of professional athletes and celebrities in relationships.

"That's the great thing about Sports Illustrated is they just keep reinventing themselves and they keep reinventing what is your view of beauty," says Jacobs. "And they keep showing people that there's more than one kind of beauty out there."