By Jonathan Shanahan
While standards of beauty have changed over the centuries, one thing that hasn’t changed is society’s obsession with the most beautiful women of the day. While most of the women on this list existed long before the invention of cameras, we can still get a pretty good idea of what they would have looked like, based on paintings, sculptures, and descriptions in historical documents. In some cases, these figures were famous for their beauty alone, while in others their looks were incidental to the real reason they went down in history. In both cases, these are the most beautiful women in history.
Cleopatra
When you think of beautiful women from the distant past, there’s a good chance Cleopatra’s name is the first that springs to mind.
The Egyptian queen was renowned for her beauty, but she was also an astute ruler who Alexander the Great viewed as a trusted friend and confidante.
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette had a reputation as one of the most attractive women in Europe, but she apparently wasn’t so beautiful on the inside.
While there’s no evidence Antoinette ever actually uttered the infamous phrase “let them eat cake,” the queen certainly had a callous indifference to the lives of her subjects.
Helen of Troy
Little is known about Helen of Troy, and her life has been so heavily mythologized that scholars aren’t entirely sure what’s truth and what’s fiction.
However, one constant in all the writings about Helen is that (if she truly existed) she was widely considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world.
Lillie Langtry
Actress and socialite Lillie Langtry was a favorite subject of artists in the Aesthetic Movement, a 19th century style of painting that emphasized external beauty above all else.
Langtry was later recruited as the face of Pears Soaps, in what is likely the first example of a celebrity endorsement deal.
Nefertiti
Thanks to the work of the sculptor Thutmose, we have a pretty good idea of what Nefertiti looked like in real life.
Considered one of the most beautiful woman in Egyptian history, scholars believe that Nefertiti briefly served as acting ruler after the death of her husband, Pharaoh Akhenaten.
Xi Shi
One of the Four Beauties of Ancient China, Xi Shi was so stunning that, according to legends, she could hypnotize fish by leaning over a pond.
While we can safely assume that artistic liberties were taken with this particular tale, all the writings on Xi Shi agree that she was incredibly easy on the eyes.
Queen of Sheba
Mention of The Queen of Sheba (modern day Ethopia and Yemen) was first found in the Hebrew Bible, but historians have since found descriptions of her in other documents.
Although these documents contain precious few details about the queen’s reign, they consistently mention the fact that she was astonishingly beautiful.
Princess Samyukta
Princess Samyukta was one of the three wives of the Chauhan king Prithviraj Chauhan, and – according to writings – she was the most beautiful.
The princess’s beauty was so legendary that her name – which comes from the Sanskrit word for “united” – is still a popular name for girls in India.
Queen Esther
While the Book of Esther is considered a work of fiction, historians believe that it’s titular character was a real person.
If the book’s descriptions are to be believed, Esther – who became Queen of the Persian Empire – was one of the most beautiful women of antiquity.
Queen Alexandra
On January 22nd, 1901, Alexandra of Denmark married Edward VII, making her the Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Empress of India.
Aside from her impressive title, Alexandra was also an incredibly beautiful woman, and she was widely adored by her subjects.
Joan of Arc
Although Joan of Arc is predominantly known for leading the forces of France during the Hundred Years War, according to some sources she was also incredibly attractive.
This is especially impressive in light of the fact that Joan spent most of her time wearing armor – not exactly the most flattering of outfits.
Aspasia
After coming to Athens during the fourth century BC, Aspasia became the lover and confidante of the statesman and general Pericles.
In addition to her legendary beauty, Aspasia also possessed a fearsome intellect, earning her the respect of the philosopher Socrates.
Lucrezia Borgia
The daughter of Pope Alexander VI, Lucrezia Borgia was widely considered to be one of the most beautiful women alive in Italy during the 15th century.
Borgia was apparently well aware of her good looks, spending hours a day making sure her appearance was perfect.
Salome
According to the Bible, Salome was responsible for bearing the head of John the Baptist after Herod Antipas ordered his execution.
Aside from this gruesome footnote in history, Salome was a skilled dancer, and writings about her usually make note of her stunning looks.
Lady Godiva
According to legend, Lady Godiva rode naked through the streets of Coventry in an attempt to convince her husband – Leofric, Earl of Mercia – to lower taxes.
Although this probably never happened, there are plenty of historical documents that attest to Godiva’s existence, many of which specifically note her beauty.
Guinevere
The details of King Arthur’s life are shrouded in mystery, and this extends to his wife, Queen Guinevere (assuming either of them ever truly existed).
Described as one of the most striking beauties in British history, Guinevere was lusted after by many, including, famously, Arthur’s trusted knight Lancelot.
Grace Kelly
A true icon of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Grace Kelly is considered one of the most beautiful actresses ever – and is among the few movie stars to become genuine royalty.
Kelly eventually left the lights of showbiz behind her, becoming the beloved Princess of Monaco after she married Prince Rainier III in 1956.
Isabella of Portugal
Isabella of Portugal became Queen of Spain in 1526, after an arranged marriage to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.
After Isabella passed away from an unknown complication during pregnancy, Charles was left bereft, mourning for the rest of his life and never marrying again.
Princess Margaret
The younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret frequently found herself embroiled in controversy throughout her life, although she remained popular with the public.
Many of Princess Margaret’s indiscretions were of the romantic variety, which her striking looks probably had something to do with.
Catherine of Aragon
The first of King Henry VIII’s six wives, Catherine of Aragon was reportedly one of the most beautiful women of her day.
While Henry eventually banished her so that he could pursue marriage with Anne Boleyn, Catherine did at least manage to avoid meeting the same grizzly fate as her replacement.
Zenobia
A descendant of the Queen of Sheba, Zenobia ruled over Palmyra in East Levant (now Syria). Zenobia was close friends with Cleopatra, and their beauty was said to be comparable.
They were both also defeated by the Romans, although – unlike Cleopatra – Zenobia managed to escape with her life.
Queen Amyitis
One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were built by King Nebuchadnezzar as a gift for his wife Amyitis.
While the wedding was arranged for political reasons, Nebuchadnezzar was reportedly awestruck by Amyitis’ beauty, with the couple falling deeply in love with each other.
Queen Jezebel
A queen of Israel during the eighth century BC, Jezebel supposedly used her hypnotic beauty to attain power and influence.
According to the Bible, Jezebel implemented a policy of child sacrifice throughout her kingdom to honor the demons Baal and Asherah, whom she apparently worshipped. Yikes!
Kriemhild
The last wife of Attila the Hun, Kriemhild appears to have been every bit as cunning, ambitious and bloodthirsty as she was beautiful.
According to some sources, Kriemhild personally stabbed Attila to death, possibly as revenge for his role in the deaths of her brothers.
Sappho
Although most of her work has been lost to history, Sappho is considered one of the greatest lyric poets to have ever lived.
In addition to her literary prowess, Sappho was reputedly stunning, and she is sometimes referred to as the “Tenth Muse.”
Hypatia
An astronomer, mathematician and astronomer who lived in the Ancient Egyptian city of Alexandria, Hypatia also had plenty of beauty to match her brains.
One of the most influential women of her time, Hypatia preached the importance of tolerance, and she was widely loved by people of all religious backgrounds.
Empress Theodora
Although she was likely born to peasants, Theodora became Empress of the Byzantine Empire in 527, after her husband Justinian I ascended to the throne.
In addition to her gorgeous looks, Theodora was also an astute politician, and she is credited with the advancement of women’s rights during her husband’s reign.
Yang Guifei
Another of the Four Beauties of Ancient China, Yang Guifei was the trusted consort of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang during the final years of his reign.
The emperor eventually condemned Guifei to death – albeit it reluctantly – due to the involvement of her family in the An Lushan rebellion.
Simonetta Vespucci
Supposedly the most beautiful woman in Italy during her lifetime, Simonetta Vespucci’s looks earned her the nickname “la bella Simonetta” or “the fair Simonetta”.
Vespucci posed for many of Italy’s greatest painters, including Sandro Botticelli and Piero di Cosimo. Tragically, she passed away the age of 22, with her death likely caused by tuberculosis.
Roxelana
Also known as Hürrem Sultan, Roxelana was the wife of the Ottoman Emperor Suleiman the Magnificent. An important figure in Ottoman history, Roxelana exerted immense influence over her husband.
Some scholars have even suggested that Roxelana was responsible for the majority of policy decisions Suleiman made, and she likely took a lead role in diplomacy with neighboring nations.
Queen Elizabeth I
Queen Elizabeth I inherited a kingdom gripped by chaos and upheaval, and historians have praised her as an effective leader who restored stability and peace.
Although her dazzling looks meant she was never short of suitors, Elizabeth never married or had children, meaning the crown passed to her cousin James VI.
Nzinga
The queen of the Ambundu Kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba, Nzinga was an incredibly capable ruler who successfully resisted Portuguese colonization in the 17th century.
A skillful military tactician and diplomat, Nzinga was also renowned for her great beauty, and she is remembered as one of the most important figures in African history.
Lola Montez
An Irish dancer and actress, Lola Montez’ alluring looks earned her the attention of many influential men, often with scandalous results.
Montez’ most controversial affair was with King Ludwig I of Bavaria, an incident which caused widespread political upheaval in the European kingdom.
Empress Elisabeth of Austria
Affectionately known as “Sisi” by her subjects, Empress Elisabeth of Austria was famed for her drop-dead gorgeous looks and extravagant fashion sense.
After the death of her only son in 1889, Elisabeth withdrew from public life and began traveling on her own, and in 1898 she was assassinated by an Italian anarchist.
Mata Hari
While living in Indonesia with her husband – a captain in the British military named Rudolf MacLeod – Mata Hari learned the local form of dance, soon becoming a famous exotic dancer.
Hari eventually became a spy for the Germans during WWI, using her powers of seduction to gain sensitive information, and she was executed by the French military in 1917.
Rani Padmini
According to historical texts, Rani Padmini was “an exceptionally beautiful princess of the Sinhalese kingdom” during the 14th century.
It’s difficult to parse the truth from the myths when it comes to Padmini’s life, but it’s believed that she ended her life after suffering a crushing military defeat.
Messalina
The third wife of the Roman emperor Claudius, Messalina was famous for three things: her cruelty, her beauty and her promiscuity.
Messalina met her end after it was discovered that she had been plotting Claudius’ downfall, with an officer of the Praetorian Guard stabbing her to death after she refused to end her life.
Agrippina the Younger
The sister of the Roman Emperor Caligula, Agrippina the Younger apparently shared her brother’s capacity for ruthlessness, although she was much more politically cunning.
Agrippina successfully leveraged her beauty to gain influence, marrying several prominent Romans throughout her life. Ultimately, Agrippa was assassinated on the orders of her own son, the Mad Emperor Nero.
Empress Zoe Porphyrogenita
Zoe Porphyrogenita served as empress consort to no less than two Byzantine emperors, before finally taking the throne herself in 1042.
Lauded as one of the most beautiful women in Byzantine history, Porphyrogenita was determined to stay that way, spending vast sums on a cosmetics lab inside her palace.
Marilyn Monroe
In the 20th century, there was arguably no woman who embodied the perceived ideal of feminine beauty and glamor like film actress and singer Marilyn Monroe.
Alas, though an all-time great screen icon, Marilyn’s dolled-up exterior and affected ‘dumb blonde’ persona masked deep personal problems that would ultimately lead to her tragic death by suicide.
Pocahontas
Born Matoaka, and later baptized into Christianity as Rebecca, Pocahontas passed into legend as the daughter of a Native American chief who married Englishman John Rolfe, helping bridge two worlds.
While Pocahontas is indeed said to have been been a great beauty, her heavily mythologized story is problematic today. She died in England in 1617, aged just 20 or 21.
Gloria Steinem
To list Gloria Steinem among history’s most beautiful women may seem inappropriate, given how the feminist writer has spent her whole career pushing for gender equality.
Even so, Steinem made a name for herself in part using her looks, when she famously went undercover as a Playboy Bunny and published a warts-and-all exposé detailing her experiences.
Sacagawea
A Native American of the Shoshone tribe, Sacagawea attained iconic status in American history as the guide of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
According to historians, Sacagawea was also a very beautiful woman. However, like Pocahontas, her legacy is problematic, as her fictionalised representations served to exoticize Native American women.
Evelyn Nesbit
Born Christmas Day 1884, Evelyn Nesbit has been described as both the original supermodel and the original pin-up girl. The early 1900s saw her become New York’s most in-demand model.
Beloved by photographers, illustrators and sculptors, Nesbit’s beauty also drove men to madness: she was infamously embroiled in a murder trial when her obsessively jealous husband shot her former lover.
Boudica
The Celtic Queen who led a powerful resistance against would-be Roman conquerors, Boudica is considered a proto-feminist icon – and a woman whose beauty was matched by her ferociousness.
One historical description says Boudica “was very tall, the glance of her eye most fierce; her voice harsh. A great mass of the reddest hair fell down to her hips.”
Phyrne
As one of the oldest recorded practitioners of ‘the oldest profession,’ Phyrne might be frowned upon today by some – but she still became one of Ancient Greece’s wealthiest women.
Considered one of the great beauties of her time, famous (though probably fictitious) tale says Phyrne was acquitted when standing trial for impiety by exposing herself to the jury.
Farrah Fawcett
Born 1947 in Texas, Farrah Fawcett started out as a TV bit-part actress, but came to embody an ideal of 1970s feminine glamor, due largely to her distinctive, widely-imitated hairdo.
Fawcett’s legend was cemented by both her role on TV’s Charlie’s Angels, and a 1976 swimsuit poster which sold over 12 million copies. Unfortunately, the 80s saw her career stall.
Wang Zhaojun
The third of Ancient China’s Four Great Beauties, Wang Zhaojun was said to be so beautiful she made birds fall: under distraction, they forgot to flap their wings.
Made part of the Emperor Yuan of Han’s harem, she was given to Chanyu Huhanye of the Xiongnu Empire as a bride, and helped foster peace between the warring factions.
Dorothy Dandridge
Born in 1922, actress and singer Dorothy Dandridge wasn’t only of the great beauties of her time. Her success was a major step forward for African-American women in entertainment.
1954’s Carmen Jones saw Dandridge become the first black nominee for the Best Actress Oscar. Sadly her career stalled afterwards, and she died of an accidental overdose ten years later.
Gayatri Devi
Born in London in 1919, Gayatri Devi became the third Maharani consort of Jaipur from 1940 to 1949 after marrying Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II.
After India gained independence, she became a successful politician, as well as a beauty and fashion icon: Vogue magazine listed her amongst the world’s most beautiful women in the 60s.
Cindy Crawford
By the early 90s, the supermodels were a massive cultural phenomenon – and arguably no one supermodel was more renowned or admired than Cindy Crawford.
A near-constant presence on magazines, billboards, TV commercials and more for many years, Crawford’s beauty and on-camera charisma has netted her an estimated personal fortune of $225 million.
Anna Pavlova
The enduring image of ballet dancers as elegant, graceful and beautiful owes a lot to Anna Pavlova, the Russian ballerina who became a global superstar in the late 19th century.
Renowned for her skill as well as her beauty, Pavolva was the first ballerina to tour the world, most famous for originating iconic dance The Dying Swan.
Diana, Princess of Wales
For millions of people around the world back in the 80s, there was no moment more magical than the 1981 wedding of Britain’s Prince Charles and Diana Spencer.
Though divorce would ensue and Diana’s life would end under tragic circumstances, she would remain the ‘People’s Princess,’ famed for being as beautiful on the inside as she was outside.
Josephine Baker
Born in New Orleans but finding fame in France, Josephine Baker was among the most popular cabaret performers of the 1920s, elevated further by 1927 film Siren of the Tropics.
As well as being a great beauty and fashion icon, Baker was among the few black stars of the time, and was later prominently involved in the civil rights movement.
Sophia Loren
Born Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone in Rome, Sophia Loren broke into film acting in the early 50s, and soon became a global celebrity and major sex symbol.
While widely admired for her beauty, Loren’s dramatic skill could not be overlooked: 1961’s Two Women saw her become the first Best Actress Oscar winner for a non-English language film.
Diaochan
The fourth of Ancient China’s Great Beauties, Diaochan is also known to be the most heavily fictionalised of these figures, but is nonetheless based in part on a real person.
The novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms shows Diaochan having an affair with the great warrior Lü Bu, leading him to overthrow his tyrannical warlord foster father Dong Zhuo.
Audrey Hepburn
Born in Belgium and raised in both Britain and the Netherlands, Audrey Hepburn is widely considered one of the most beautiful and elegant film actresses of the 20th century.
A Best Actress Oscar winner for 1953’s Roman Holiday, Hepburn became a major fashion icon, and later in life concentrated her efforts on humanitarianism, largely with UNICEF.
Berenice of Cilicia
Daughter of King Herod Agrippa, Berenice of Cilicia (aka Julia Berenice, or Bernice) became a client queen of the Roman Empire in the First Century AD.
Centuries after her death, Berenice became a popular figure in Renaissance art, in large part due to her reported beauty and her eventful, frequently scandalous love life.
Raquel Welch
While the 1966 British fantasy film One Million Years B.C. isn’t necessarily considered a classic, leading lady Raquel Welch as a cavewoman in a fur bikini became an iconic image.
The role made Welch a huge celebrity, and she went on to enjoy a long acting career, appearing mainly in roles that hinged on her good looks.
Jodie Comer
It probably seems premature to call British actress Jodie Comer, who found fame in TV’s Killing Eve in 2018, one of the all-time great beauties – but science disagrees.
A study conducted in 2022 by cosmetic surgeon Julian De Silva declared that the proportions of Comer’s face are 94.5% perfect, based on the principles of the Euclidian Golden Ratio.
Cornelia Africana
Daughter of the Roman General Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, Cornelia Africana was considered the embodiment of the feminine ideal in Ancient Rome, where she was widely venerated.
Unusually by Roman standards, Cornelia’s marriage to Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus was both fruitful and happy. She had twelve children by him, hence she was known as Mother of the Gracchi.
Halle Berry
As she first came to prominence as a runner-up for Miss America, it’s no wonder that movie star Halle Berry has always been famous for being beautiful.
However, the Ohio-born actress really made history in 2002 as the first (and to date only) black woman to win the Best Actress Oscar, for her performance in Monster’s Ball.
Salma Hayek
Since breaking through as a movie star in the early 1990s, Salma Hayek has helped break new ground for Hispanic women in Hollywood, both as actress and producer.
And, of course, she’s widely regarded one of the most beautiful women alive today, noted for looking just as stunning in her late 50s as she did 30 years earlier.
Delilah
On top of having her story in the Bible, Delilah is also well-remembered thanks to the Tom Jones song – yet as mythologized as she might be, Delilah really existed.
As the Philistine who duplicitously seduced and then emasculated the mighty warrior Samson, Delilah is sometimes considered the original ‘femme fatale.’
Madhubala
Born Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi in Dehli on Valentine’s Day 1933, Madhubala became one of the biggest stars in her native India, just as the Bombay film industry took off.
Renowned as a great performer and a great beauty, Madhubala’s legend also owes much to her sad, early demise, dying from a ventricular septal defect in 1969, aged just 36.
Nur Jahan
Born Mehr-un-Nissa in 1577 in Kandahar (now Afghanistan), Nur Jahan’s name literally translates as ‘light of the world,’ which speaks volumes as to how she was considered.
She was twentieth wife and chief consort of Mughal emperor Jahangir, and historians state she did more to run the Empire than her husband – plus, her loveliness was legendary.
Jang Ok-jeong
As royal consort during Korea’s ancient Joseon period, Jang Ok-jeong was so beautiful that records of her beauty were even recorded into the history books.
It’s even believed that if young, single women visit Jang Ok-jeong’s gravesite, they will soon meet a boyfriend or partner due to the strength of Jang’s beautiful energy.
Bella Hadid
According to a study by plastic surgeon Julian De Silva, supermodel Bella Hadid’s face fits perfectly into the ‘Golden Ratio’ of symmetry.
Allegedly, Hadid’s facial proportions are 94.35% ‘perfect’ by this standard, meaning Hadid would likely have been considered a work of art in Ancient Greece.
Lisa del Giocondo
While the name Lisa del Giocondo may not immediately ring a bell, you’ve definitely certainly heard of the Mona Lisa, which the Italian noblewoman is believed to have posed for.
While there’s no conclusive proof she was the subject of the legendary painting, it’s known that her husband commissioned Leonard da Vinci to do her portrait around the same time.
Zheng Yi Sao
She was variously known as Shi Xianggu, Shek Yeung and Ching Shih – but under any name, Zheng Yi Sao was the most formidable (and beautiful) pirate in world history.
It was no mean feat for a Chinese woman in the early 19th century to rise from working at a brothel to commanding the single largest pirate fleet on record.
Bathsheba
Sometimes known as Bat-Sheva (her name literally meaning ‘daughter of Sheba’), Bathsheba is a Biblical figure whose great beauty captured the attention of King David.
According to the story, Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite, but was desired by David after he saw her bathing. He later made her his wife.
Takeko Kujō
Born in 1887, educator and poet Takeko Kujō was considered one of Japan’s ‘three beauties’, beloved for her kind heart and fair appearance.
She was also incredibly intelligent and spiritual, helping to co-found the Buddhist Women’s Association.
Kim Jisoo
When ranking the great beauties of any era, public opinion must be taken into account – and a 2023 poll saw Kim Jisoo named the world’s most beautiful woman.
The South Korean singer from girl group Blackpink came out on top of a poll held by Nubia Magazine, garnering over 200,000 votes from 86 countries worldwide.
Naomi Campbell
At 53 years old, supermodel Naomi Campbell looks just as stunning as she did when she was queen of the runway in the 1990s.
Her beautiful skin and long legs are the envy of many, and you only have to watch her walk to see why she’s still one of the best.
Draupadi
Empress Draupadi of the Hindu epic Mahabharata is worshipped as a deity by some sects of the ancient religion.
In the text she is described as having a “dark complexion, lotus-like eyes, beautiful copper nails, dark curly hair and an enchanting fragrance like that of a blue lotus.”
Barbara Villiers
As one of many mistresses of England’s King Charles II, Villiers, who would become Barbara Palmer, 1st Duchess of Cleveland, was famous for her beauty and promiscuity.
She is described as being “tall, voluptuous, with masses of brunette hair, slanting, heavy-lidded violet eyes, alabaster skin, and a sensuous, sulky mouth.”
Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr, a star of Hollywood’s Golden Age, had brains and beauty, so much so that MGM president Louis B. Mayer described her as the ‘world’s most beautiful woman’.
Lamarr was also a keen inventor and, during WWII, invented a technology that would form the basis for the WiFi and GPS technology of today.
Iman
Model and actress Iman is simply breathtaking. With her graceful figure and flawless skin, it’s easy to see why legendary musician David Bowie fell for her.
The beauty also has brains too, and is fluent in five languages as well as launching her own makeup and clothing brands.
Anna Held
Polish-French performer Anna Held was a Broadway star with a vivacious, flirty personality that made her beloved by many men.
She allegedly used to bathe in 40 gallons of milk every day to preserve her pure complexion and soft skin.
Brigitte Bardot
French actress Brigitte Bardot might be known for controversy these days, but in the 1960s she was the epitome of bombshell beauty.
Her blonde locks, voluptuous figure and preference for playing sexually liberated characters earned her a whole world of male fans.