Irina Shayk Gained International Fameas the Cover Model For The 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

November 4, 2026

This article was last updated by Aditi Rai on October 23, 2026

Irina Shayk, a Russian fashion model who gained popularity for her work with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, is presently dating Tom Brady. Their relationship is thought to have started after Brady’s divorce from Gisele Bündchen in 2026.

Key Takeaways

Irina Shayk was born on January 6, 1986, in Yemanzhelinsk, in the Chelyabinsk Oblast region of the Soviet Union.
Her family had financial hardship after her father passed away when she was 14.
Shayk also had a daughter named Lea de Seine Shayk Cooper.

Since the NFL player was frequently spotted with Irina Shayk several times, it is presumed that the two are .

When Irina and Brady attended the wedding together in May 2026, it was the first indication that the couple was dating, which led to relationship rumors.

The two appeared to be out of a long-term relationship with their partners, which may have brought them closer. People believe they may have found support in one another during difficult times.

Despite the lack of public confirmation of their relationship or current situation, multiple reports have confirmed that they are together and maintain a low profile.

All About Irina Shayk, Tom Brady's Sweetheart

Tom Brady and Irina Shayk in October 2026, but according to recent news, they reconnected in January 2026 and have been together ever since.

Irina Shayk Was Born In Russia, And Her Father Was A Coal Worker

Irina Shayk was born on January 6, 1986, in Yemanzhelinsk, in the Chelyabinsk Oblast region of the Soviet Union.

Her mother, Olga, was a kindergarten music teacher, and her father, Valery Shaykhlislamov, was a coal worker.

Shayk has stated that she received her features from her father, who was a Volga Tatar, and that people often mistake her for being South American. On the other hand, her mother was ethnically Russian.

Her sister, Tatiana Petenkova, is the only sibling she has. In addition, she is Tatiana’s aunt to three of her children, one of whom is named “Irina” after her.

At age six, Shayk began playing the piano, and at age nine, she enrolled in a music school. Her family had financial hardship after her father passed away when she was 14.

After high school, she studied marketing, but she and her sister eventually enrolled at a beauty school, where her interest in modeling slowly inflated.

She Won The Title Of Miss Chelyabinsk In 2004

When a modeling agency saw her attractiveness, they urged her to enter the “Miss Chelyabinsk 2004” pageant. She claimed victory, saying it was not up to the level of beauty pageants in the US or Europe.

In 2007, Shayk replaced Ana Beatriz Barros as Intimissimi’s face and debuted in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She became the brand’s official ambassador in 2010.

Shayk modeled for Beach Bunny Swimwear, Guess, Victoria’s Secret, Lacoste, Cesare Paciotti, and Morellato in the same year. She signed with IMG Models in May 2009.

Following her swimsuit modeling for the Armani Exchange spring/summer 2010 campaign, Shayk gained notoriety. She appeared in Ocean Drive, GQ South Africa, and Kanye West’s “Power” as the lead.

With a feature in Spain’s Harper’s Bazaar and an appearance on the cover of Elle Spain in November 2010, she made the leap to high fashion. Likewise, Glamour Spain gave her the “Best International Model of 2010” award.

She served as the face of swimwear brand Luli Fama’s advertising campaign and the cover model for the 2011 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.

The model appeared on 14 Cosmopolitan spring covers internationally and in several magazines. Additionally, Shayk covered Vogue Spain, Second Issue, and Twelv Magazine.

She was six months pregnant with Lea de Seine Shayk Cooper when she participated in the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

In addition to being listed on Models.com’s list of the New Supers from August 2026 to February 2026, she was appointed the new L’Oréal Paris International Spokesperson in October 2015.

She made her film debut as Megara in the 2014 film Hercules, costarring with Dwayne Johnson, but she hasn’t done any acting since.

Irina Shayk Was Engaged To Portuguese Football Player Cristiano Ronaldo

The rising model met Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009 and began dating shortly after.

They were frequently seen out together, attending games and dining together.

Irina Shayk and Cristiano Ronaldo got engaged on Valentine’s Day 2011 when Ronaldo came to New York to propose to her.

After six years together, their relationship ended in January 2015. Later, Irina said he wasn’t the right man for him.

Then, following her breakup with the Portuguese footballer, she began dating American actor Bradley Cooper in the spring of 2015.

Moreover, Shayk had a daughter named Lea de Seine Shayk Cooper with him, who was born in Los Angeles on March 21, 2017.

The pair that were supposed to marry eventually called it quits in June 2019.

In Case You Didn’t Know

With over 23.6 million, Irina Shayk regularly posts updates about her life.
She is the official ambassador of the Pomogi charity in Russia, which helps children with disabilities.
Her real name is Irina Valeryevna Shaykhlislamova.

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Ritesh Thapa is a content writer focusing in the sports and entertainment industry. His enthusiasm for storytelling combined with his acute sense of trends allow him to create engaging content that appeals to a wide range of people. Aside from his professional life, Ritesh is an avid musician who writes and performs songs.

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