Bar Rafaeli : Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition Covergirl

What does Leonardo DiCaprio have that every red blooded male would like to have? Why, that would be his new girlfriend, Bar Rafaeli. This 23 year old beauty was born in Hod HaSharon, Israel.

Leonardo DeCaprio has found a new love after ending his three year relationship with yet another beautiful super model, Brazillian Gisele Bundchen. Seems like our Hollywood Hottie has a weak spot for the model type!

On February 9^th it was announced that Bar Rafaeli's photo, wearing nothing more than a multi colored string bikini, will grace the cover of the 2009 issue of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. It is a beautiful shot, taken on the beach of Canouan Island in the Grenadines. This beautiful and very private getaway place was a great backdrop for this years swim suit photo shoot.

Bar Rafaeli first entered the world of modeling at the ripe old age of 8 months. Taking time off to grow up, finish school and get through the years of braces, she emerged as the beauty we see in photos today. Modeling seriously since the age of 15 when she modeled with the firm Irene Marie Models, Rafaeli made her Sports Illustrated debut in 2007. She holds the honor of being the first model from Israel to be shot in Sports Illustrated. In the 2007 issue, her photo was taken with the band Aerosmith. Bar Rafaeli has been featured in many magazines, such as Elle and GQ. She was also representative of Subaru.

Rumor has it that, in order to escape Israel's mandated military service, she married a family friend, only to get a divorce a short time later. She made amends to the

Israeli Defense Force by visiting injured soldiers and helping to promote enlistment.

Southwest Airlines has painted a full body photo almost the entire length of the plane. Of course it is picture of Rafaeli in a reclining position, wearing a teeny bikini. Check out this story for the full story and a picture of the plane:The plane will carry the Swimsuit Beauty from place to place for publicity events. The name of this beautiful airplane? Why it is "S.I. One"...of course.

Jus one of many beautiful models to have been featured in the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, Bar Rafaeli can bee see along with all the others at the Sports Illustrated website. For excellent gallery poses of Rafaeli, visit Sports Illustrated; here.