Most Beautiful Women in the World

“If eyes were made for seeing, then Beauty is its own excuse for being.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is a slippery slope to take when it comes to identifying who is the most beautiful woman in the world. Before we go forward, here is a gentle reminder for some men, a woman who is your wife or girlfriend should top your list on who is the most beautiful woman.

We’ve heard the saying, “beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder,” this true, always. We can never agree. Since the beginning of time, the human race has been obsessed with the idea of beauty, physical beauty. Women have a foothold in the area of beauty. Kingdoms have risen and fallen because of women; men have killed each other and have gone to great lengths to woo the object of their affection in every possible way. There can never be an accurate list as to who is the most beautiful woman or women in the world. You cannot even set criteria as to how to define what true beauty is. Here are some of who have been at the top of many a list. Remember, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman…”

Audrey Hepburn

Born May 4, 1929 in Belgium, Audrey Hepburn lived a privileged life, her father a banker, and her mother, a Dutch baroness. Audrey lived through the difficulties of World War 2 while she and her mother lived in London after Hitler ransacked the city. After the war, she attended ballet school on scholarship which led to a career as a model.

She was discovered by a producer in 1948 in Europe. Without much success, she later went to America to find a more receptive audience. In 1953, her first movie for an American company was “Roman Holiday”. It not only brought her fame, she won an Oscar for Best Actress.

It wasn’t just her beauty that made her attractive to people, she had a wit, a sense of compassion, and great intelligence. After her final movie and before her death in 1993, Audrey Hepburn worked closely with UNICEF as the “goodwill ambassador.” She dedicated what remained of her life in helping children of some of the world’s poorest nations.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow had a good foundation to prepare her for a life in show business; both of her parents were, in the business. Born in Los Angeles, California on September 27, 1972, Gwyneth or Gwynnie went to school at UC Santa Barbara to study Art History. She immediately realized that her passion was acting. Her first movie was in 1991 with John Travolta in the film”Shout.”

She received an Oscar nomination in 1999 for the movie “Shakespeare in Love”. She had been considered for the leading lady role in “Titanic”; in 1996 she was chosen as the next Calvin Klein model. Gwynnie’s beauty can best be described as simple and graceful.

Angelina Jolie

One of the most recognized faces in the world. Angelina Jolie is no stranger to the film industry; her father is actor Jon Voigt of “Midnight Cowboy” and “Deliverance” fame. Born in Los Angeles, California to Marcheline Bertrand on June 4, 1975, AJ, as she is often known as, studied acting at the Lee Strasburg Theatre institute by age 11.

AJ’s most recent film, “SALT”, was another action packed thriller. She does not limit herself to action movies or any one specific type of role. Among the movies she has starred in include, “Girl Interrupted”, “The Good Shepherd”, “A Mighty Heart”, “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider”, and “Beowulf” just to name a few.

Her subtle and elegant good looks can probably be attributed to her ancestry of English, French-Canadian, Iroquois, and Czech. Her versatility as an actress along with her beauty makes her one of the most sought after actors.

Charlize Theron

Growing up in a farm in South Africa, Charlize Theron is an only child. She was born on August 7, 1975 to German and French parents. At the age of 16, Charlize won a modeling contest in her hometown. She had gone to New York and Europe to work as a model. She did not enjoy the world of modeling; she wanted to go back to her first love which was the ballet. However, an injury to her knee kept her from pursuing her dream.

In 1994 her mother, Gerda Theron, got her a one-way ticket to Los Angeles. As most actors who come to Hollywood learn, she experienced a period of difficulty getting noticed. An agent gave her his business card during one of her jaunts to a bank in Hollywood, and that was the start of something good for her. Later, she starred in movies like “Hollywood Confidential”, Mighty Joe Young”, “Cider House Rules”(nominated for Best Supporting Actress), “Italian Job”, “Monster” (academy award for best actress) and “Aeon Flux”.

English is a second language to Charlize and her first language is Afrikaans. Her face is one that you do not tire of looking at. There is a playful, sobering air when you first look at Charlize Theron.

Nicole Kidman

Born of Australian parents in Honolulu, Hawaii, Nicole Kidman is known to be one of the top imports from Australia in Hollywood. She is best known for films such as “Days of Thunder”, “Far and Away”, “Moulin Rouge”, and “Eyes Wide Shut”, just to name a few.

Like most actresses of her time, her first love is the ballet. She later learned mime and drama. Growing up, she used acting as an escape. She won an Australian Film Institute Award in 1987 in the mini-series”Vietnam”. This elegant redhead is all about family, growing up in Australia current events would be the topic of discussion at their dinner table.

Halle Berry

A former Miss Teen All American Winner in 1985 and in 1986 was first runner-up in the Miss USA contest, Halle Berry was born in Cleveland, Ohio on August 14, 1966. She gets her good looks from her African American Father Jerome Berry, and Caucasian mother Judith. Halle also has an older sister, Heidi. After the Miss USA pageant in 1986, Halle became a model that led to a role in 1989 in “Living Dolls”.

She is best known for her roles as Storm in the “X-Men” movie, and the starring role in “Catwoman”. She received an Oscar for her role in “Monster’s Ball” in 2001. She continues to be recognized as one of the most attractive women in the world.

Juliette Binoche

Juliette Binoche was born in Paris, France in March of 1964. Roger Ebert of ‘Siskel and Ebert’ fame, once spoke of the beauty of Juliette as “almost ethereal in her beauty and innocence”. Her movie career are few and far between one another. Among her most memorable films include “The English Patient” and “Chocolat”, for which she won an Oscar for “Best supporting actress.”

Her father, Jean-Marie Binoche, a director, actor, and sculptor; and her mother Monique Stalens, a teacher, director, and actress.

Grace Kelly

Princess Grace, as she would later be known later after her Hollywood stint was a recipient of an American Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Grace Kelly began her acting career through theatrical productions in New York at the age of 20 in 1950. She won an Oscar for the movie “The Country Girl.” Her beauty can only be described as Royal elegance. This became true later in her life.

While filming in the French Riviera she met Prince Ranier Grimaldi of Monaco. Following year, in 1956, they married. She retired from being an actress at the age of 26 and became a full time princess. Their wedding set the standard for Royal Wedding, especially since it was being covered by Hollywood. She has three children, Albert, Caroline, and Stephanie.

Monica Bellucci

Italian born actress Monica Bellucci did not start out in show business. She was intent on pursuing life in the legal profession. As most students, she needed to earn money to get through school, and so she got into modeling. She got involved with the fashion industry full time in 1988 when she moved to Milan, Europe’s main fashion center. She has been considered as one of the world’s top fashion models.

Monica’s beauty would certainly turn heads. The vibrant and mysterious looks of Monica landed her roles on TV in Italy by 1990. Among her American film credits include “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” and “Matrix – Reloaded and Revolutions”. Perhaps her most memorable role was that of Mary Magdalene in “The Passion of the Christ.

Natalie Imbruglia

Growing up on small beach called Berkleyvale in New South Wales, Australia, Natalie Jane Imbruglia began dancing at the age of 2. She was enrolled in a special school and was dancing six days a week, while the rest of time she was surfing. She was one of many Australia’s well known actresses.

She was named as one of the most “naturally beautiful” women in the world in 2004. As you can see, it is difficult to refute that claim. She has modeled for L’Oreal. Natalie is also an award winning singer and writer, which has garnered her recognition in the music industry both in Australia and the United States.