iconic women in history
iconic women in history. Many women are beautiful, but not all have achieved icon status. Some women just have "it" -- the attitude, the allure and the enchanting looks that make them unforgettable and endlessly fascinating. Meet the iconic beauties of yesterday and today that we just can't get enough of.
Lauren Bacall
Trademark looks: husky voice and The Look -- chin down, eyes up
Most known for: "The Big Sleep," "How to Marry a Millionaire"
Husbands: Humphrey Bogart, Jason Robards
Most known for: "The Big Sleep," "How to Marry a Millionaire"
Husbands: Humphrey Bogart, Jason Robards
Lucille Ball
Trademark looks: red hair, heart-shaped lips
Most known for: impeccable comedic timing, hit TV show "I Love Lucy"
Husbands: Desi Arnaz, standup comedian Gary Morton
Most known for: impeccable comedic timing, hit TV show "I Love Lucy"
Husbands: Desi Arnaz, standup comedian Gary Morton
Brigitte Bardot
Trademark looks: smoky eyes, pouty lips, the Bardot updo hairstyle
Most known for: popularizing the bikini, the original "sex kitten," many French films, animal rights activism
Husbands: Roger Vadim, Jacques Charrier, Gunter Sachs, Bernard d'Ormale
Most known for: popularizing the bikini, the original "sex kitten," many French films, animal rights activism
Husbands: Roger Vadim, Jacques Charrier, Gunter Sachs, Bernard d'Ormale
Ingrid Bergman
Trademark looks: Film critic Wanda Hale said of Ingrid: "She has a combination of rare beauty, freshness, vitality and ability that is as uncommon as a century plant in bloom."
Most known for: "Casablanca," "The Bells of St. Mary's"
Husbands: Petter Lindstrom, Roberto Rossellini, Lars Schmidt
Most known for: "Casablanca," "The Bells of St. Mary's"
Husbands: Petter Lindstrom, Roberto Rossellini, Lars Schmidt
Halle Berry
Trademark looks: beauty-queen looks and the official face of Revlon and Versace
Most known for: "Jungle Fever," "Monster's Ball," Bond girl, first African-American woman to win the Best Actress Oscar.
Husbands: baseball player David Justice, Eric Benet
Most known for: "Jungle Fever," "Monster's Ball," Bond girl, first African-American woman to win the Best Actress Oscar.
Husbands: baseball player David Justice, Eric Benet
Cyd Charisse
Trademark looks: great gams
Most known for: dancing with Gene Kelly in "Singin' in the Rain"
Husbands: Nico Charise, Tony Martin
Most known for: dancing with Gene Kelly in "Singin' in the Rain"
Husbands: Nico Charise, Tony Martin
Cleopatra
Trademark looks: Plutarch wrote of her: "what ultimately made Cleopatra attractive were her wit, charm and sweetness in the tones of her voice."
Most known for: last pharaoh of Egypt, affair with Mark Antony, suicide by asp
Husbands: royal consorts, including Julius Caesar and Marc Antony
Most known for: last pharaoh of Egypt, affair with Mark Antony, suicide by asp
Husbands: royal consorts, including Julius Caesar and Marc Antony
Cindy Crawford
Trademark looks: mole above her upper lip, all-American girl
Most known for: supermodel status
Husbands: Richard Gere, Rande Gerber
Most known for: supermodel status
Husbands: Richard Gere, Rande Gerber
Dorothy Dandridge
Trademark looks: sultry, flirtatious style, dark eyes and beauty mark on her chin
Most known for: singer-dancer-actress, "Carmen Jones," "Porgy and Bess," first African-American woman to earn Academy Award nomination for Best Actress
Husbands: Harold Nicholas, Jack Denison
Most known for: singer-dancer-actress, "Carmen Jones," "Porgy and Bess," first African-American woman to earn Academy Award nomination for Best Actress
Husbands: Harold Nicholas, Jack Denison
Bette Davis
Trademark looks: those pretty peepers
Most known for: "Jezebel," "All About Eve," "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?," first female president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Husbands: Ham Nelson, Arthur Farnsworth, William Grant Sherry, Gary Merrill
Most known for: "Jezebel," "All About Eve," "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?," first female president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Husbands: Ham Nelson, Arthur Farnsworth, William Grant Sherry, Gary Merrill
Catherine Deneuve
Trademark looks: flawless Gallic features
Most known for: "Repulsion," "Belle de Jour"
Husband: British photographer David Bailey, relationship with Marcello Mastroianni produced a daughter
Most known for: "Repulsion," "Belle de Jour"
Husband: British photographer David Bailey, relationship with Marcello Mastroianni produced a daughter
Princess Diana
Trademark looks: short blond hair, shy demeanor, glamorous gowns
Most known for: fairy-tale wedding, two princely sons, charity work, international style icon, paparazzi frenzy, untimely death
Husband: Prince Charles
Most known for: fairy-tale wedding, two princely sons, charity work, international style icon, paparazzi frenzy, untimely death
Husband: Prince Charles
Marlene Dietrich
Trademark looks: blue eyes, arched eyebrows; her New York Times obituary observed that "Her masculinity appeals to women and her sexuality to men."
Most known for: "The Blue Angel" (German), "Morocco"
Husband: Rudolf Sieber
Most known for: "The Blue Angel" (German), "Morocco"
Husband: Rudolf Sieber
Greta Garbo
Trademark looks: A New York Times film critic once wrote of her: "Set in the face of classic structure were large, sad, luminous eyes that expressed a limited but intense emotional range."
Most known for: "Anna Karenina," "Anna Christie" and the nickname "Swedish Sphinx"
Husbands: none, though reportedly had liaisons with both men and women
Most known for: "Anna Karenina," "Anna Christie" and the nickname "Swedish Sphinx"
Husbands: none, though reportedly had liaisons with both men and women
Ava Gardner
Trademark looks: her "earthy femininity"
Most known for: "Mogambo," "The Barefoot Contessa"
Husbands: Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw, Frank Sinatra
Most known for: "Mogambo," "The Barefoot Contessa"
Husbands: Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw, Frank Sinatra
Jean Harlow
Trademark looks: platinum-blond hair, she was the "original blond bombshell"
Most known for: "Hell's Angels," "Dinner at Eight"
Husbands: Charles McGrew, Paul Bern, Harold Rosson, William Powell (she died before they wed)
Most known for: "Hell's Angels," "Dinner at Eight"
Husbands: Charles McGrew, Paul Bern, Harold Rosson, William Powell (she died before they wed)
Rita Hayworth
Trademark looks: Red hair
Most known for: dancing with Fred Astaire; the films "Gilda," "The Strawberry Blonde," "You'll Never Get Rich"
Husbands: Edward Charles Holmgren Judson, Orson Welles, Prince Aly Khan, Dick Haymes, James Hill
Most known for: dancing with Fred Astaire; the films "Gilda," "The Strawberry Blonde," "You'll Never Get Rich"
Husbands: Edward Charles Holmgren Judson, Orson Welles, Prince Aly Khan, Dick Haymes, James Hill
Helen of Troy
Trademark looks: the face that launched a thousand ships
Most known for: overwhelming beauty that triggered the Trojan War; daughter of Leda and Zeus
Husband: Menelaus
Most known for: overwhelming beauty that triggered the Trojan War; daughter of Leda and Zeus
Husband: Menelaus
Audrey Hepburn
Trademark looks: angelic face, poise, elegance
Most known for: Holly Golightly, "Roman Holiday," the little black dress, UNICEF ambassador
Husbands: Mel Ferrer, Andrea Dotti
Most known for: Holly Golightly, "Roman Holiday," the little black dress, UNICEF ambassador
Husbands: Mel Ferrer, Andrea Dotti
Katharine Hepburn
Trademark looks: "a lithe, horsey beauty with a haughty voice" (American Theater Guide)
Most known for: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," "The Lion in Winter," "African Queen," "The Philadelphia Story"
Husband: Ludlow Ogden Smith, lifelong affair with Spencer Tracy; romance with Howard Hughes
Most known for: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," "The Lion in Winter," "African Queen," "The Philadelphia Story"
Husband: Ludlow Ogden Smith, lifelong affair with Spencer Tracy; romance with Howard Hughes
Lena Horne
Trademark looks: sparkling smile, smooth-as-silk voice
Most known for: pioneering jazz singer and actress, career lasting six decades; signature song "Stormy Weather," triumphant Broadway show "Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music."
Husbands: Louis Jordan Jones, songwriter Lennie Hayton
Most known for: pioneering jazz singer and actress, career lasting six decades; signature song "Stormy Weather," triumphant Broadway show "Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music."
Husbands: Louis Jordan Jones, songwriter Lennie Hayton
Angelina Jolie
Trademark looks: pouty lips, long brown hair, sultry eyes
Most known for: humanitarian work, her large family, films "Girl, Interrupted," "Mr. & Mrs. Smith"
Husbands: Jonny Lee Miller, Billy Bob Thornton, domestic partner Brad Pitt
Most known for: humanitarian work, her large family, films "Girl, Interrupted," "Mr. & Mrs. Smith"
Husbands: Jonny Lee Miller, Billy Bob Thornton, domestic partner Brad Pitt
Grace Kelly
Trademark looks: With her white gloves and string of pearls, this classic beauty was sometimes described as "virginal"
Most known for: "Dial M for Murder," "Rear Window," princess of Monaco, tragic death
Husband: Prince Rainier III of Monaco
Most known for: "Dial M for Murder," "Rear Window," princess of Monaco, tragic death
Husband: Prince Rainier III of Monaco
Vivien Leigh
Trademark looks: Catlike smile, raised right eyebrow
Most known for: "Gone With the Wind," "A Streetcar Named Desire"
Husbands: Herbert Leigh Holman, Lawrence Olivier
Most known for: "Gone With the Wind," "A Streetcar Named Desire"
Husbands: Herbert Leigh Holman, Lawrence Olivier
Sophia Loren
Trademark looks: voluptuous brunette, the "Italian Marilyn Monroe"
Most known for: "La Ciociara," "The Black Orchid," "It Started in Naples"
Husband: Carlo Ponti
Most known for: "La Ciociara," "The Black Orchid," "It Started in Naples"
Husband: Carlo Ponti
Jayne Mansfield
Trademark looks: ample cleavage, platinum-blond hair
Most known for: films "The Wayward Bus," "The Girl Can't Help It"; sexy pinup girl and first leading actress to pose nude in a mainstream film ("Promises! Promises!"); dying young
Husbands: Paul Mansfield, bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay, Matt Cimber
Most known for: films "The Wayward Bus," "The Girl Can't Help It"; sexy pinup girl and first leading actress to pose nude in a mainstream film ("Promises! Promises!"); dying young
Husbands: Paul Mansfield, bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay, Matt Cimber
Marilyn Monroe
Trademark looks: Platinum blond, buxom bombshell
Most known for: "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," "How to Marry a Millionaire," "Seven Year Itch," singing "Happy Birthday" to JFK
Husbands: James Dougherty, Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Miller
Most known for: "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," "How to Marry a Millionaire," "Seven Year Itch," singing "Happy Birthday" to JFK
Husbands: James Dougherty, Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Miller
Nefertiti
Trademark looks: long neck, delicate features
Most known for: Queen of Egypt, the limestone bust of her uncovered in a dig at Marna; a name meaning "the beautiful one has come"
Husband: Pharaoh Akhenaten
Most known for: Queen of Egypt, the limestone bust of her uncovered in a dig at Marna; a name meaning "the beautiful one has come"
Husband: Pharaoh Akhenaten
Kim Novak
Trademarks: Husky, seductive voice
Most known for: "The Man With the Golden Arm," "Vertigo"
Husbands: Richard Johnson, Robert Malloy
Most known for: "The Man With the Golden Arm," "Vertigo"
Husbands: Richard Johnson, Robert Malloy
Julia Roberts
Trademark looks: megawatt smile, voluminous hair, her laugh
Most known for: "Pretty Woman," "Erin Brockovich"
Husbands: Lyle Lovett, Daniel Moder
Most known for: "Pretty Woman," "Erin Brockovich"
Husbands: Lyle Lovett, Daniel Moder
Jane Russell
Trademark looks: statuesque (aka busty) figure
Most known for: "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," World War II pinup girl, later in life was popular spokeswoman for Playtex full-figure bras
Husbands: high school sweetheart & NFL Hall of Famer Bob Waterfield, actor Roger Barrett, John Calvin Peoples
Most known for: "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," World War II pinup girl, later in life was popular spokeswoman for Playtex full-figure bras
Husbands: high school sweetheart & NFL Hall of Famer Bob Waterfield, actor Roger Barrett, John Calvin Peoples
Brooke Shields
Trademark looks: teenage model of virginal innocence
Most known for: "Nothing comes between me and my Calvins," "Suddenly Susan" TV show, speaking out about postpartum depression
Husbands: Andre Agassi, Chris Henchy
Most known for: "Nothing comes between me and my Calvins," "Suddenly Susan" TV show, speaking out about postpartum depression
Husbands: Andre Agassi, Chris Henchy
Elizabeth Taylor
Trademark looks: dark hair, dramatic eyebrows, porcelain skin
Most known for: "National Velvet," "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and befriending Michael Jackson
Husbands: Conrad Hilton Jr., Michael Wilding, Michael Todd, Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton (twice), John Warner, Larry Fortensky
Most known for: "National Velvet," "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and befriending Michael Jackson
Husbands: Conrad Hilton Jr., Michael Wilding, Michael Todd, Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton (twice), John Warner, Larry Fortensky
Gene Tierney
Trademark looks: green eyes and a slight overbite
Most known for: "Laura," "Leave Her to Heaven"
Husbands: Oleg Cassini, W. Howard Lee
Most known for: "Laura," "Leave Her to Heaven"
Husbands: Oleg Cassini, W. Howard Lee
Lana Turner
Trademark looks: "The Sweater Girl," WWII pinup
Most known for: "The Postman Always Rings Twice," "Peyton Place" and a stormy affair with a mobster who was stabbed and killed by Turner's daughter during an altercation
Husbands: Artie Shaw, Stephen Crane, Henry Topping, Lex Barker, Fred May, Robert Eaton, Ronald Dante
Most known for: "The Postman Always Rings Twice," "Peyton Place" and a stormy affair with a mobster who was stabbed and killed by Turner's daughter during an altercation
Husbands: Artie Shaw, Stephen Crane, Henry Topping, Lex Barker, Fred May, Robert Eaton, Ronald Dante
Twiggy
Trademark looks: doe eyes, boyish bob and waifish figure
Most known for: supermodel and icon of the "psychedelic '60s," movie "The Boy Friend"
Husbands: Michael Whitney, Leigh Lawson
Most known for: supermodel and icon of the "psychedelic '60s," movie "The Boy Friend"
Husbands: Michael Whitney, Leigh Lawson
Mae West
Trademark looks: 38-24-38
Most known for: "Night After Night," "She Done Him Wrong"
Husbands: Guido Deiro, Paul Novak
Most known for: "Night After Night," "She Done Him Wrong"
Husbands: Guido Deiro, Paul Novak
Natalie Wood
Trademark looks: Life magazine called her "The Most Beautiful Teenager in the World" in 1956Most known for: "Rebel Without a Cause," "Splendor in the Grass," mysterious death by drowning
Husbands: Robert Wagner (married twice), Richard Gregson
Source: msn