About
Hannah Jeter (born May 5 1990, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands) is a model, television host, and occasional actress who shot to global fame as the face on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s 2015 Swimsuit Issue. Her sunny Caribbean upbringing, easygoing charm, and athletic poise helped her translate runway success into mainstream popularity, from walking for Ralph Lauren to fronting ad campaigns for American Eagle and other all-American labels. In recent years she has balanced selective fashion work with family life, stepping into public view for special projects—such as co-hosting Project Runway: Junior—while largely keeping day-to-day moments private.
Before Fame
Growing up on the island of St. Thomas, Hannah spent her childhood surfing, playing on local beaches, and polishing a strong backhand on the tennis court; she became a Caribbean tennis champion in her teens. Her first brush with modeling came after a family trip to the States, when a scout encouraged her to send photos to agencies in New York. Within a year she was booked for a 2006 Ralph Lauren fragrance campaign and started appearing in the brand’s ready-to-wear shows. The Virgin Islander’s relaxed confidence, shaped by island life and competitive sport, distinguished her from peers and quickly led to editorial spreads in Elle and Vogue before she turned 20.
Trivia
- Sports Illustrated firsts: Hannah’s 2015 “America the Beautiful” cover was shot not on a beach but on a farm in Tennessee, making her one of the few solo Swimsuit cover models photographed inland,
- Ad-star alter ego: Before her SI breakthrough, TV viewers recognized her as the mischievous “DirecTV Genie,” a playful role that mixed humor with glamour and proved she was as comfortable on set as on a catwalk.
- On-screen cameos: She popped up in the 2015 comedy Vacation and has guest-hosted shows ranging from Hollywood Game Night to Extra.
- Island hobbies: Hannah still credits paddleboarding and horseback riding—skills picked up on St. Thomas—with helping her stay grounded amid fashion-industry bustle.
- Philanthropy: Together with her husband, she quietly supports Turn 2 Foundation programs that encourage healthy lifestyles for youth, often dropping into children’s baseball clinics without fanfare.
Family Life
Hannah’s romance with baseball legend Derek Jeter began in 2012, blossomed away from headlines, and culminated in an elegant Napa Valley ceremony on July 9 2016. The celebration, attended by fewer than 100 guests, featured two custom Vera Wang gowns and a serenade by Boyz II Men.
The couple now share four children—Bella Raine (born 2017), Story Grey (2019), River Rose (2021), and their son Kaius Green (May 5 2023). Hannah and Derek purposefully limit their kids’ public exposure, preferring backyard baseball games and beach walks to red-carpet photo-ops. “Controlled chaos” is how Derek affectionately describes their bustling household, a phrase Hannah echoes with a laugh whenever she talks about juggling snack duty and school runs with occasional fashion shoots.
Associated With
- Derek Jeter: Beyond being her partner, the Hall-of-Famer is a frequent collaborator in charitable efforts, particularly through the Turn 2 Foundation.
- Tim Gunn and the Project Runway family: Hannah filled Heidi Klum’s hosting shoes on Project Runway: Junior, working closely with Tim Gunn and judges Christian Siriano, Kelly Osbourne, and Aya Kanai to encourage teenage designers.
- Sports Illustrated alumnae: Sharing cover-girl status with icons like Tyra Banks and Kate Upton connects her to a powerful network of mentors and peers; she often credits their advice for guiding her post-runway choices.
- Ralph Lauren: Early campaigns for the designer reinforced her classic American image and remain career touchstones she still references with pride.
- Island roots: Even after years in New York and Florida, Hannah frequently collaborates with USVI tourism boards, championing marine conservation and youth sports on the islands that shaped her outlook.
