Kate Upton, born Katherine Elizabeth Upton on June 10, 1992, in St. Joseph, Michigan, is an American model and actress. Raised in a close-knit family, Upton's early life was deeply rooted in sports, and she actively participated in competitive equestrian events. Her love for horses and equestrian sports earned her several prestigious championships.

At the age of 16, Upton pursued a career in modeling after being discovered by a casting director at a horse show in Miami. She signed her first modeling contract with the renowned Elite Model Management in 2008. Upton's career took off quickly, and she gained recognition as the face of Guess in 2010-2011.

Upton's big break came in 2011 when she was featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Her captivating charm and stunning looks garnered her international attention and earned her the prestigious title of "Rookie of the Year." Upton went on to grace the cover of the Swimsuit Issue in 2012, 2013, and 2017.

Throughout her career, Upton has worked with numerous fashion brands and publications, including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Vanity Fair. She has also appeared in television commercials and has been the face of several ad campaigns for major brands such as Express, Bobbi Brown, and Sam Edelman.

In addition to her successful modeling career, Upton ventured into acting. She made her film debut in the 2011 film "Tower Heist" and later starred in "The Other Woman" (2014) alongside Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann. Upton's acting career further blossomed as she appeared in films such as "The Layover" (2017) and "Wild Man" (2017).

Kate Upton married Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander in November 2017, and the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Genevieve, in 2018. Beyond her professional life, Upton is a strong advocate for body positivity and has used her platform to promote self-love and acceptance.