She is well known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue first in 2011 and she was named Rookie of the Year

Again in 2012, she was announced as the cover model.

Photo Credit : Conde Nast Publications

Upton was born in St. Joseph, Michigan and raised in Melbourne, Florida.

She attended Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy.

Photo Credit : Hearst Corporation

Photo Credit : Sam Edelman

Kate is the star in an old Hollywood style black and white photoshoot for Sam Edelman shoes.

Her uncle is U.S. Representative Fred Upton.

Upton's great-grandfather, Frederick Upton, was co-founder of appliance manufacturer and marketer Whirlpool Corporation.

Photo Credit : Conde Nast Publications

As a young equestrian, Upton showed at the American Paint Horse Association and competed at a national level.

With her horse Roanie Pony, she won three APHA Reserve World Championships — 13 and Under Western Riding, 13 and Under Horsemanship, and 14–18 Western Riding.

Photo Credit : Conde Nast Publications

She was named the 13 and Under Reserve All-Around Champion, giving her a total of four reserve championships (2nd place).

In addition, Upton ended up third overall on the APHA youth Top Twenty.

Photo Credit : Conde Nast Publications

With a second horse, Zipped, she won 14–18 Western Riding and was included in the top 5 in 14–18 Horsemanship and 14–18 Western Pleasure in 2009.

Upton attended a casting call in Miami for Elite Model Management in 2008, She was signed by them the same day.

Photo Credit : Conde Nast Publications

She eventually moved to New York City, where she then signed with IMG Models.

Upton first modeled for Damien Haumpy Garage,

Photo Credit : Conde Nast Publications

She then modeled for Dooney & Bourke.

She was the 2010–2011 face of Guess.

Photo Credit : Conde Nast Publications

In 2011, Upton appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

She was featured in the body paint section and named Rookie of the Year for the issue.

Photo Credit : Hearst Corporation

Photo Credit : Sam Edelman

For the Sam Edelman photoshoot Kate strikes a seductive pose and oozes more than her share of sexuality in one shot

She has appeared in Complex and Esquire as "The Woman of the Summer"

Photo Credit : Conde Nast Publications

She has since modeled for Beach Bunny Swimwear and Victoria's Secret

In April 2011 an internet video of her doing the Dougie at a Los Angeles Clippers game went viral and served to increase her popularity

On April 30, 2012, a bikini-clad Upton performing the "Cat Daddy" by The Rej3ctz in a video directed by Terry Richardson also went viral, amassing almost 750,000 views in the first 24 hours.

Photo Credit : Hearst Corporation

Upton made an appearance in a June 2011 episode of Tosh.0, filmed in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, participating in a segment called "Knife or Banana", emulating a Japanese game show in which she is stabbed with a banana.

Upton played in the 2011 Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, in July 2011

Photo Credit : Conde Nast Publications

Upton's acting debut was in the film, Tower Heist, as Mr. Hightower’s Mistress.

She followed up with an appearance in The Three Stooges as Sister Bernice.

Photo Credit : Hearst Corporation

Upton appeared on the cover of the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, unveiled on February 13, 2012, on the Late Show with David Letterman.

Upton, who was previously considered a swimsuit model, has recently made her way into high-fashion magazines with editorials in American Vogue and Italian Vogue, both photographed by the legendary Steven Meisel.

Photo Credit : Times Newspapers Ltd

A recent accolade was landing the November 2012 cover of Italian Vogue.

In 2012 she was ranked the 5th sexiest model on MODELS.com's Top Sexiest Models

Photo Credit : Conde Nast Publications

She ranked #3 on the American publication of AskMen's Top 99 Women for 2013, behind only Jennifer Lawrence (#1) and Mila Kunis (#2).