The Most Beautiful Women Of All Time – Ranked

Published

3 years ago

July 20, 2021

Money + Investing Staff

No matter the point in history, women have always captured the attention of their peers with their illustrious looks and fashion-forward thinking. From being thought of as icons of lust, to embracing femininity and pushing boundaries in style, entertainment, and entrepreneurship, there’s a long list of fabulous women who paved the way for this generation.

And in the new age, the internet, and particularly social media, has opened the world to a new age of beauty – one that is particularly expansive and open to anyone from anywhere. Beauty comes in many forms, and these are the most beautiful women of the past, present and future.

50. Anna Kournikova

Anna Kournikova was one of the most-watched tennis players of her era, even though it took her a number of years until she begun to excel in the doubles format. That didn’t take away from her iconic image though, which garnered brand sponsorships and numerous marketing campaigns around the athlete. Some would say her career flopped, but many of us were winning just watching her on the court.

49. Jennifer Lopez

There’s nobody out there quite like J-Lo, and that’s because she can do it all. Act, sing, dance – you name it, she’ll excel and look fabulous doing it. She’s dated some of the biggest names in Hollywood, sold millions of records, and appeared in numerous films. She’s an icon, period.

48. Mila Kunis

Most people will know Mila Kunis for her role in the ever-popular That ‘70s Show, and what’s even more wholesome is her marriage to fellow co-star Ashton Kutcher. But that hasn’t stopped the actress from stunning fans in newer films, mainly her performance in Black Swan.

47. Brigitte Bardot

The fact that Bardot starred in a film called And God Created Women is all you need to know, considering the fact that it catapulted both her and the idea of what actresses could do in the new age of media. Hailing from France, her international appeal certainly caught many people’s attention.

46. Addison Rae

This up-and-coming Tik-Tok star has already amassed millions of followers across her social media platforms, and in just a short time, has begun rubbing elbows with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. No matter what she does in the future, you can bet she’ll be a mainstay in the limelight for years to come.

45. Alicia Silverstone

Alicia Silverstone burst onto the scene and became a household name very quickly after she starred in the movie Clueless. Instantly, she redefined the schoolgirl look and became the poster on every young man’s wall. That led to her appearing in Aerosmith videos, and well, you can imagine her fame skyrocketing from there.

44. Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba is instantly recognizable due to her exotic looks, and her typical roles in action movies made her one of the coolest girls you’d ever see on the big screen. Not only that, but she gained more notability for her comedic talents, which made her a dual threat nobody in Hollywood could deny.

43. Brooklyn Decker

Brooklyn Decker was instantly catapulted to fame after appearing in her stunning Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover, which is more often than not a nod to the spectacular beauty of an individual in a certain year. Then she started acting, and everyone who didn’t notice became aware of how gorgeous and talented she really was.

42. Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer is one of those women who’s so attractive, musicians reference her in songs to compare someone else too. Now that’s making your mark. She’s become a respected actress for her roles, and has been named to top beauty lists numerous times, so we’re not the only ones.

41. Aishwarya Rai

Despite never appearing in an American feature film, Aishwarya Rai is so popular, she still has a cult following in the U.S. That’s because the former Miss World pageant winner has captivated audiences around the world, from Bollywood to beyond. It’s no wonder though, as her piercing eyes and exotic looks continue to stun today.

40. Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields will always be best known for her participation in the Calvin Klein jeans advertisements of the ‘80s, but she’s continued to be a fashion icon in the years since. It also didn’t hurt that she married tennis great Andre Agassi for a bit, and appeared in the show Suddenly Susan, where she earned a couple of Golden Globe nods.

39. Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is known for having a voice so iconic, only she can hit some of the notes she sings. That, coupled with her stunning stage presence and iconic flowing hair, made her one of the biggest superstars at the turn of the century, revolutionizing the potential of the often misunderstood pop star.

38. Cindy Crawford

Cindy Crawford is another model who made waves thanks to an impressive career in modeling. Not only did she grace hundreds of magazine covers, but she also appeared in many brand name campaigns, notably the Pepsi Super Bowl commercial. She’s since moved on to other business opportunities, including her own line of home and lifestyle products.

37. Halle Berry

Halle Berry turned heads when she made the most of her acting opportunities to work her way into iconic franchises like Catwoman and X-men, but many forget she won Best Actress for her role in Monster’s Ball, becoming the first African American woman to do so. As if her beauty wasn’t iconic enough, that alone solidifies her in history.

36. Beyonce

It’s hard to understate Beyonce’s cultural influence, from her countless chart-topping hits with Destiny’s Child to her own solo work. Her marriage to Jay-Z, her fashion partnership with Adidas, and the fact that she’s one of the world’s greatest performers certainly enhances her credibility too. She’s arguably the biggest living female icon, and her millions of fans agree.

35. Penelope Cruz

Penelope Cruz has been a stunner since she first stepped into the scene, and her figure has been so long sought after, she was voted the number one celebrity women wanted to base their plastic surgery on. If that doesn’t tell you why she’s been cast in so many movies, nothing will. Her acting talents are pretty solid as well.

34. Farrah Fawcett

Farrah Fawcett gained superstardom for being the quintessential American Girl of her age, and many agreed because she quickly became known for her role as one of Charlie’s Angels. That led to millions of poster sales, appearances in magazines, and of course lots of more acting opportunities.

33. Charlie D’Amelio

In the age of the pandemic which saw Tik-Tok explode to the mainstream, Charlie D’Amelio quickly became one of the biggest stars on the app, known for her dance moves and charming smile. The young celebrity has already begun turning heads and gaining modeling and advertising campaigns, so it’s safe to say her future is bright.

32. Jayne Mansfield

Jayne Mansfield is easily one of the most powerful women in American entertainment history, having won over audiences with not only her looks, but also her intelligence. She could speak five languages, was a classically trained musician, and reportedly had an IQ of 163. She was certainly ahead of her time, and capitalized on the transfixing effect she had on men.

31. Ann-Margret

This Swedish actress is often forgotten, but she certainly wasn’t missed by the likes of Elvis, Steve McQueen or Jack Nicholson. Not only was she a stellar pop performer, but she had the looks and personality to back it up, and quickly became a regular box office star as well. Becoming a star when you hail from a foreign country is tough, but Marget did so with ease.

30. Kim Kardashian

So much can be said about Kim Kardashian and her role in modern popular culture, but no one can deny her stamp on fashion and trends. The model and daughter of the famed O.J. Simpson lawyer has stayed in the spotlight after getting there unconventionally, but her mark on style and beauty products has often been copied and looked up to. Truly, there’s only one Kim K.

29. Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor is often praised for being the one who changed the game completely, and it’s not just because she was arguably the most popular brunette of her time. She went from child star as Shirley Temple to being the highest paid actress for her role as Cleopatra – another world-famous beauty. Her affect wasn’t lost on anyone, especially her eight husbands.

28. Sommer Ray

No Instagram model gained more followers during the pandemic than Sommer Ray, and her risque beach shots and vigorous workout videos help tell why. And that’s also made her quite business savvy, since according to Business Insider, she makes a staggering $20,000 per instagram post.

27. Gisele Bundchen

So many people were introduced to Gisele when she married NFL legend Tom Brady, but Ms. Bundchen didn’t keep her own last name for nothing. The international supermodel was already one of the biggest names on the fashion runway, and now with more exposure in the western world, her influence on fashion is more prevalent than ever.

26. Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz has undeniably been one of the most sought after female stars in Hollywood over the last decade, and her acting skills are right up there with her stunning persona. She’s witty, versatile, and wows many on screen with her commanding presence. That’s certainly backed up by her box office numbers, as she’s grossed more than $7 billion worldwide from her films.

25. Emily Ratajkowski

Blasting into fame thanks to the infamous Robin Thicke video for his song “Blurred Lines,” Emily Ratajkowski has since redefined the way people think about her, putting more effort into social causes and advocacy than her own image. But that hasn’t kept her from the spotlight, as she’s still a fashion figurehead who’s piercing eyes always grab your attention.

24. Carmen Electra

Also known as Tara Leigh Patrick, Carmen Electra is one of those avant-garde stars who evolved from club dancer to rubbing elbows with notable celebrities and ending up on the cast of Baywatch. She’s had a slew of notable husbands, and became a featured actress in some cult-style comedies and T.V. shows as well, while always remaining popular with the magazines.

23. Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek is one of the most famous Mexican actresses to ever make a mark in the States, and her debut alongside Antonio Banderas in Desperado granted her avenue to fame. She’s since played many important roles, including Frida Kahlo, and embraced basically any genre thrown her way. Who can blame a director for casting a woman of such versatility, though?

22. Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevigne became a two-time Model of the Year at the British Fashion awards in 2012 and 2014, which launched her fame on an international level. And while many people know her for her iconic eyebrows, she’s also since moved into acting, with rolls in movies like Paper Towns and Suicide Squad. She’ll definitely be around for years to come.

21. Sophia Loren

Sophia Loren is one of the most important actresses in film history, and she’s been on screen with the best of them, including Brando, Chaplin, and Gable. She won seven Golden Globes, an Oscar, and basically was swooned over by people around the world, as she originally hailed from Italy. As for her looks, she gave all the credit to her mother.

20. Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid is another modern model who stormed onto the scene in 2014 by making the top 50 models list, and then gracing numerous Vogue covers across the world. She’s teamed up with some huge brands like Maybelline and Reebok, and has become one of the most notable new names in high fashion. You can certainly thank her middle-eatern heritage for her originality.

19. Heidi Klum

Heidi Klum is perhaps the only modern model more famous than Gisele Bundchen, as she’s Married to Seal, hosts Project Runway, and even acts in all sorts of movies and TV. Her supermodel status and German origins make her a larger-than-life figure, and the fact she’s had three kids is almost unbelievable. She’s arguably the most famous supermodel of a generation.

18. Heather Locklear

Heather Locklear was an ‘80s star who wouldn’t be denied, appearing in numerous flicks such as Dynasty and Melrose Place, and seemingly everything she starred in became a hit. She had both the hair and glare that could capture an audience, and every young woman of her era wanted to desperately be her. Could you blame them?

17. Kendall Jenner

Daughter of the famous Kris and Caitlyn Jenner, Kendall rose to fame by starring alongside her family on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and with that, quickly became a rising star in the fashion industry, many thanks to her connections. She’s now one of America’s top-earning models, and has appeared in every magazine you can think of. She’s also brand ambassador for Estée Louder.

16. Cleopatra

This immensely popular and highly debated historical figure is often known for her legendary beauty, which is much in part thanks to her Macedonian and Greek background, which probably stunned the citizens of Egypt whom she ruled over. She’s long been revered for her majestic beauty, but her political prowess and staunch leadership was also something that’s been revered in the arts and historical accounts even today.

15. Shakira

With the turn of the century, Shakira became one of the most notable latinas to ever break into the radio charts, but once she did, she targeted world domination. She’s become one of the world’s top-selling artists, and with songs like “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Waka Waka,” which became the World Cup theme in 2010, it’s not hard to believe why her stunning stage presence and bubbly personality has made her arguably the most famous Colombian of all time.

14. Christie Brinkley

Christie Brinkley was a triple-time Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model, and found her way into more than 500 total magazine covers in her career, so it’s safe to say anyone from the ‘80s and ‘90s knows her. She had one of the most successful modeling careers of anyone, and go figure, she’s still at it today. The true mark of a legend.

13. Jenny McCarthy

Jenny McCarthy has definitely worn many hats over the years, and whether it was model or sub-par actor, she’s always convinced producers with her image. She’s been a part of many movies and TV shows, most underwhelming from the quality standpoint, but you can’t blame Jenny for capitalizing on her fame.

12. Megan Fox

Megan Fox became known to everyone after appearing alongside Shia Labeouf in the original reboot of the Transformers series, and since then, she’s become a brunette icon whose edgy personality and nerdy interests have captivated fans despite her lack of exposure in pop culture these days. She still has a cult following, however, which isn’t limited to just men.

11. Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson rose to fame the old fashioned way, by excelling as a child actor who became Hollywood-ready at a young age. Once growing into her own, however, her looks led the way, and casting became inevitable and centered around her, which ultimately made her one of the most sought after female actresses. Her continued success and natural beauty is still revered today.

10. Grace Kelly

This Broadway star is long thought to be the original Hollywood Damsel, who basically used her skills and looks to not only navigate fame in the U.S., but literally becoming a princess by marrying Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. At the time, and still today, many considered her the most beautiful woman in the world. It’s a wonder to think how she’d fare in the modern age.

9. Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone took a more traditional route to stardom, as she won a beauty pageant, progressed into modeling, and later entered a more niche genre of films such as Total Recall and Basic Instinct. Her captivating looks and commanding nature on screen quickly made her a favorite, and she fit perfectly into what was a weird and wonderful ‘90s.

8. Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie is best known for being an absolute boss on screen, typically praised for her action roles and characters who define strong women, such as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider. However, she also worked with the United Nations in Africa, where she famously adopted some of her children and has earned humanitarian awards. However, her iconic look will always be distinguishable.

7. Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson is another Baywatch star that earned eternal fame after appearing on the show. She consequently has appeared in many magazines, mainly the lewd ones, but was also very famous for her relationship with Tommy Lee. But what you may not know is that Anderson also uses her fame for numerous advocacy campaigns, such as the ones she’s done for PETA.

6. Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn is perhaps the classiest woman on this whole list, and who can deny that intriguing look her eyes always gave when she appeared in films such as Breakfast at Tiffanys. She actually has earned the entire EGOT herself, and even at the end of her acting career, her modeling for Givenchy almost overshadowed her previous. Undeniably an icon on all fronts.

5. Bettie Page

Bettie Page is the original pin-up girl, and in the ‘50s, there had never been anyone like her before. Men obviously swooned over her for her darker persona, as it sort of defined what a “bad girl” looked like in popular culture. She also is credited with a number of modeling poses that weren’t around before her, many of which are still used today.

4. Madonna

There’s really not enough you can say about the legend we know as Madonna. Today we’re aware of her expressive nature, relentless boundary pushing, and inexplicable talent, but she was often a controversial figure in her rise to superstardom. Being a pop star isn’t always easy, but Madonna didn’t care – she was always going to do things her own way, and it worked in amazing fashion, as she’s wowed everyone in every cultural sector under the sun.

3. Raquel Welch

You never would’ve thought a weather forecaster from San Diego would dawn the world’s first bikini poster, but here we present you Raquel Welch, one of the most premier models of the new age. Blasting to fame in the ‘60s and ‘70s, she used her looks to become a notable actress, which over time saw her become a bit more modest, but no less of a heartthrob.

2. Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe may perhaps top this list if she had lived longer, but nonetheless, she’s obviously many people’s top choice as the most important beauty symbol of all time. Her modeling and fashion style is iconic, referenced to, and idolized by many still today, Monroe may have struggled personally, but if she knew how much her legacy would matter, perhaps even she’d have a hard time believing it.

1. Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston is everyone’s favorite quirky and beautiful actress. She seems like someone you’d want to be friends with, while also exemplifying talent and a multidimensional personality that most in Hollywood lack. She hardly looks to have aged a bit, and continues to be someone you can relate to, despite her incredible repertoire of films and connections she’s made by just being herself.

Money + Investing