Valentina Sampaio made history on Friday, becoming the first transgender woman to be featured in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, the magazine said.
In a personal essay on the magazine’s website, Ms. Sampaio, a 23-year-old Brazilian model, said she was honored to be in the publication. “The team at SI has created yet another groundbreaking issue by bringing together a diverse set of multitalented, beautiful women in a creative and dignified way,” she wrote.
While Ms. Sampaio’s inclusion in this year’s swimsuit edition has earned headlines, it’s hardly a first for her: Last year, she became Victoria Secret’s first openly transgender model and was hired for catalog work for VS Pink, the company’s athletic line.