Top 50 Most Popular Female Celebrities Of All Time

 

We all have our favorite actors, authors, singers, politicians, and sports personalities. These highly competitive professions have each been enriched by the historical presence of women from across the globe.

 

But, have you ever come across an all-inclusive compilation that aims to present some of the most famous women in the world to you? Well, here we are to do the honors!

 

We understand that the aforementioned fields have been privileged enough to welcome some of the greatest women to have ever walked the face of the earth. But, who amongst them is the most popular?

 

The ladies you’ll be getting acquainted with in our story today have all conquered various relentless challenges thrown at them by life to make it to the top of their respective areas of achievement.

 

Needless to say, some of them have not only gone on to make the world around them more beautiful but they’ve also been strong enough to not fall apart in the face of a life-changing crisis.

 

So, we are here to put things into perspective by attempting to cast a light on the enlightening journeys of these women who have cemented a place in the hearts of their most loyal supporters over the years.

 

 

 

1. Marilyn Monroe

 

 

Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, is quite possibly the most popular female celebrity to have ever lived.

 

Best known for playing comedic “blonde bombshell” characters, the movie star became a sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s and was one of the highest-paid actresses during the peak of her career.

 

Inspired by actors such as Jean Harlow and Lana Turner, Monroe had an awfully difficult childhood. However, she overcame all odds and fought the world in her relentless pursuit of love, adoration, and faith; three of the most important elements in life that not many are privileged to share and protect.

 

Needless to say, nobody could have initially imagined in their wildest of dreams that this girl with a breathy voice would go on to become the most relevant and famous Hollywood female star of all time; that too without majorly banking on her acting abilities.

 

Ranked sixth by the American Film Institute on their list of the greatest female screen legends from the Golden Age of Hollywood, Monroe is the only female celebrity from decades ago whose legend continues to grow with time.

 

The fact that several movies have been inspired by her life is a testament to the aforementioned statement. In fact, a project titled Blonde, starring the pretty Ana de Armas in the lead, was released in 2022 as well. 

 

Allegedly based on Monroe’s life, it premiered to extremely mixed reviews on Netflix.

 

 

 

2. Agatha Christie

 

 

Did you know that the world’s best-selling female author was not able to persuade anyone to publish her debut novel in the first four years of her career?

 

Hailed as the unbeatable “Queen of Crime” today, Agatha Christie’s books have sold over 2 billion copies worldwide to date.

 

She is credited with developing two iconic fictional detectives, namely Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. The Guinness Book of World Records has officially called her the best-selling fiction author to have ever lived.

 

For her incomparable contributions to literature, she was made a Dame (DBE) in 1971. Christie is best known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections.

 

However, not many are aware of the fact that the legendary writer had to face six consecutive rejections before things started to change after the publishing of The Mysterious Affair at Styles. It was, after all, the grand debut of detective Hercule Poirot.

 

 

 

3. Madonna

 

 

This singer, songwriter, and actress has been the OG in more ways than one. Known for her musical versatility and image reinventions, Madonna has been hailed as the “Queen of Pop” for as long as one can remember.

 

A lot many of her musical projects have carried themes of politics, sex, and religion. Needless to say, they have also gone on to generate a fair bit of controversy over the years.

 

Despite the fact that she is not as active today, Madonna continues to be one of the most significant and well-documented musical figures in history.

 

Her popularity can be gauged from the fact that there has been an academic sub-discipline (Madonna studies) dedicated to her name.

 

 

 

4. Beyoncé

 

 

One of the most popular singers of all time, Beyoncé first found fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of an acclaimed group called Destiny’s Child.

 

Also a songwriter, producer, and actress, she is known to have had a knack for performing in various singing and dancing competitions ever since she was a kid.

 

Today, Beyoncé is best known for being the first solo artist whose first six studio albums debuted at number one on the Billboard 200; a feat that might take a lot of time to find a worthy competition.

 

If the aforementioned information is not enough to understand why she is placed at this spot on our list, try to make peace with the fact that she is arguably the most decorated female singer to have ever held a mic in her hands.

 

Not only that but she also happens to be the most successful Black touring act to have walked the face of the earth. It is not surprising then that she has received the Pollstar Touring Artist of the Decade award in 2021.

 

 

5. Scarlett Johansson

 

 

Scarlett Johansson has got to be one of the most popular actors working anywhere in the world today. The world’s highest-paid actress in 2018 and 2019, movies starring her have gone on to gross over $14.3 billion globally, thus far.

 

Needless to say, this officially makes her one of the biggest box office stars in the history of motion pictures. A recipient of a Tony Award and a British Academy Film Award, she has been constantly hailed as one of the most attractive women in any field in the world over the years.

 

Even though Johansson’s sex symbol image was rapidly taking precedence during her initial years as a leading lady, credit has to be given to her for having been able to prove herself as a dependable actor as well.

 

The actress, who first appeared on stage in an off-Broadway play as a child actor, was seen in Wes Anderson’s comedy Asteroid City in 2023.

 

The critically acclaimed feature went on to become her second project to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. She was also seen in the Kristin Scott Thomas directorial venture North Star in the same year.

 

 

6. Lady Gaga

 

 

Lady Gaga is one of the only contemporary singers who has been killing it at being a screen performer as well. Known for her unmatched versatility and image reinventions, she is the true-blue example of a superstar.

 

She found fame after having recorded chartbusters such as “Poker Face”, “Bad Romance”, and “Telephone” at the beginning of her career.

 

Post the release of the aforementioned songs, there was no looking back for Gaga who went on to become one of the most followed female celebrities in years. She ventured into acting rather successfully as well.

 

After having delivered a praiseworthy performance in the miniseries American Horror Story: Hotel, Gaga went on to consolidate her position as an actor with the release of popular motion pictures such as A Star Is Born and House of Gucci.

 

 

7. Meryl Streep

 

 

Considered by many to be one of the best Hollywood actresses to have ever faced the camera, Meryl Streep is an icon whose credentials cannot be matched by any industry heavyweight in the near future.

 

Known for her accent adaptability and versatility, she has been nominated for a record 21 Academy Awards, winning three of them.

 

Streep has also been honored with the 2010 National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014.

 

An absolute darling of the film pundits, she has developed a cult following over the years courtesy of her capability of breathing life into the characters that she portrays on celluloid.

 

 

8. Audrey Hepburn

 

 

An actress, fashion icon, and humanitarian, Audrey Hepburn is one of the most loved mainstream performers in the history of motion pictures.

 

It is not surprising then that she was ranked third by the American Film Institute on their list of the Greatest Actresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

 

A star of several successful movies, she had also been inducted into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame.

 

Not many of our readers would be aware of the fact that her outstanding character projection in Roman Holiday helped her become the first actress to win an Oscar, a Golden Globe Award, and a BAFTA Award for a single performance.

 

The beloved screen star received the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of her work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

 

 

9. Julia Roberts

 

 

One of the most popular female stars in the history of Hollywood, Julia Roberts was one of the world’s highest-paid actresses for the major part of the 1990s, as well as the early 2000s.

 

The actor mesmerized one and all with her presence in several critical and commercial blockbusters such as Pretty Woman, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Notting Hill, Sleeping with the Enemy, and Erin Brockovich.

 

Named the most beautiful woman in the world a record five times by People magazine, films starring Roberts in a significant role have gone on to amass over $3.8 billion at the global box office.

 

 

10. Elizabeth Taylor

 

 

Elizabeth Taylor started her career as a child actress in the early 1940s and went on to become one of Hollywood’s most popular celebrities in the forthcoming decades.

 

The actress continued to be in the spotlight years after she passed her prime as well. This was probably because she had managed to reach the absolute peak during her best years within the industry.

 

One of the highest-paid screen performers in the world during the early 1960s, she was also one of the first movie stars to take part in HIV/AIDS activism.

 

Taylor was called the seventh-greatest female screen legend of Classic Hollywood cinema by the American Film Institute.

 

 

11. Taylor Swift

 

 

This singer-songwriter has been among the most popular female celebrities for well over a decade now. Her discography comprises songs that are inspired by her personal life. And, yes, her music has been appreciated by the vocal mainstream media and her fans alike.

 

The inherently talented and gorgeous Taylor Swift started to pursue a career in country music at the age of 14.

 

After having explored genres such as country pop, rock, and electronic, she went on to establish herself as a leading crossover artist.

 

Swift has sold over 200 million records globally to date. This makes her one of the best-selling and most popular musicians of all time.

 

That said, she is regarded as a pop icon also because she has been an advocate for artists’ rights and women’s empowerment.

 

 

12. Oprah Winfrey

 

 

Since Oprah Winfrey has made her undeniable presence felt on television for over five decades now, it’s a given that she had to find a place in our story.

 

According to a report by Forbes magazine, the television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist is the richest Black woman on the planet.

 

She continues to be remembered for The Oprah Winfrey Show, which was the highest-rated television program of its kind that ran for over 25 years.

 

Having said that, Oprah has also been called one of the world’s most influential women and the undisputed “Queen of All Media.”

 

 

13. Katharine Hepburn

 

 

Katherine Hepburn, whose career as a Hollywood leading lady spanned over 60 years, is among the most popular actresses to have ever lived.

 

Even though she was known to be a versatile performer, it was her personality off-camera that actually preceded her.

 

She was not only outspoken and headstrong but the superstar actress was also known for carrying herself with a touch of intensity and sophistication.

 

Named the greatest female star of classic Hollywood cinema by the American Film Institute, she charmed her critics and viewers alike by participating in screwball comedies and literary dramas.

 

She has been a recipient of four Academy Awards for Best Actress – a record that no male or female performer has been able to match yet.

 

 

14. Ingrid Bergman

 

 

Ingrid Bergman was a classic Swedish beauty who established herself as one of the most successful Hollywood actors of the Golden Age.

 

Born with a talent for performing, she was a voracious reader who liked to flip through the work of legendary writers such as William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Percy Shelly, and Alexander Pushkin.

 

During the peak of her acting career, the actress stunned the world with her character play in feature films such as Casablanca, Notorious, Spellbound, and Under the Capricorn.

 

The American Film Institute has recognized her as the fourth greatest actress in Classic Hollywood Cinema.

 

 

15. Whitney Houston

 

 

One of the best-selling music artists of all time, Whitney Houston had sold over 200 million records worldwide. She was rightly dubbed “The Voice” at the zenith of her career.

 

Known for her super strong vocals and improvisational skills, she went on to inspire a generation of new singers to make it big within the entertainment industry.

 

Don’t be amazed to learn that she is, in fact, the only artist so far to have had seven consecutive number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100.

 

A recipient of numerous accolades, Houston’s music and public appearances did not only generate a ton of money but also a fair bit of controversy.

 

 

16. Ariana Grande

 

 

Ariana Grande is an actress and singer who first came into the limelight after having played the role of Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon TV series Victorious and its spin-off Sam & Cat.

 

While her personal life has always been in the news, the star has also received critical acclaim for her four-octave vocal range.

 

Grande has 27 Guinness World Records attributed to her name and has sold more than 85 million records worldwide.

 

The pop icon is also known to be the most streamed female artist of all time on platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify.

 

 

17. Emma Watson

 

 

If a list is being compiled solely based on an actor’s popularity, be rest assured that Emma Watson will make her presence felt on it.

 

One of the most popular actress among youngsters who stepped into the new millennium, she won hearts with her character projection in the beloved Harry Potter franchise.

 

She has been among the highest-paid female movie stars in the world in the 21st century so far.

 

Even though Watson will forever be remembered for her extraordinary portrayal of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies, she has delivered multiple strong performances across different genres as well.

 

A recipient of numerous accolades, she was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2015.

 

 

18. Kate Winslet

 

 

Known for her portrayal of headstrong and complicated women, Kate Winslet established herself as a major movie star by working in several period dramas over the years.

 

However, her exceptional performance in director James Cameron’s magnum opus Titanic is credited with making her a household name worldwide.

 

The decorated film star has been a recipient of an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, three BAFTA Awards, and five Golden Globe Awards, respectively.

 

She has also been included on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world both in 2009 and 2021.

 

The superstar reunited with James Cameron for the much-awaited second installment of the Avatar franchise. The film grossed over $2.3 billion at the global box office.

 

 

19. Angelina Jolie

 

 

Recipient of an Academy Award and three Golden Globe Awards, Angelina Jolie has been among the most popular Hollywood stars of the new millennium.

 

She made her screen debut as a child actor by appearing in the motion picture Lookin’ to Get Out in 1982.

 

More than a decade later, she established herself as a cine star by participating in projects such as George Wallace, Gia, and Girl, Interrupted. For her performance in the lattermost, she grabbed the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

 

She proved herself as a leading star after having played the titular role in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. One of the most gorgeous actresses to have graced the screens, Jolie has been named Hollywood’s highest-paid actress multiple times.

 

 

20. Rihanna

 

 

Rihanna is an award-winning singer, producer, songwriter, and actor who has also successfully established herself as a fashion influencer and businesswoman over the years.

 

Discovered by American record producer Evan Rogers, she started to rise within the entertainment industry following the release of her first two albums.

 

Besides helping her grow into the sex symbol of the music industry, her third album “Good Girl Gone Bad” and its chart-topping numbers fetched her numerous awards and global stardom.

 

Rihanna has sold over 250 million records worldwide to date. She is reportedly the second best-selling female musician of all time.

 

As of 2021, she was tipped to be the wealthiest female musician on the planet with an estimated net worth of $1.7 billion.

 

 

21. Lucille Ball

 

 

One of the most celebrated female celebrities of all time, Lucille Ball was also a comedienne and producer who was a recipient of several important accolades throughout her illustrious career and posthumously.

 

The actress received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; one for her contributions to the movies and the other for her contribution to the arts and sciences of television.

 

In 1964, “Lucy Day” was organized in her honor by the New York World’s Fair; an event that she graced with her second husband.

 

Ball was included in Time magazine’s list of the “100 Most Important People of the Century.” She even received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George H.W. Bush posthumously.

 

 

22. Mary Pickford

 

 

Described by many as the best-known woman to have walked the face of the earth during her prime, Mary Pickford was a pioneer in the United States film industry.

 

Not only is she credited with being a co-founder of Pickford–Fairbanks Studios and United Artists but she has also been one of the 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

 

There was no match to Mary’s popularity during the 1910s and early 1920s. It is not surprising then that she was called “America’s Sweetheart” during the silent era of movie-making.

 

Having said that, we’d also like to notify our readers that she was one of the earliest cine stars to be billed under her own name.

 

 

23. Sandra Bullock

 

 

The world’s highest-paid actress in both 2010 and 2014, Sandra Bullock has got to be among the most acclaimed Hollywood actresses of all time.

 

A recipient of an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, she was called one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2010 by Time magazine.

 

Often included (and rightly so) in the list of the most beautiful people in the world, Bullock has also been named the 58th best movie star of all time in Empire’s compilation of the top 100.

 

While she has been acknowledged as one of the most powerful women in entertainment by The Hollywood Reporter, she was also honored by People magazine as the “Woman of the Year” in 2010.

 

 

24. Jennifer Aniston

 

 

Those who have seen the blockbuster television sitcom Friends will never be able to forget Jennifer Aniston’s adorable character projection of Rachel Green in it.

 

A recipient of a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, she established herself as one of the highest-paid actresses in the world following her stint on Friends.

 

Aniston has found a place in numerous lists of the best-looking women on the planet throughout the years. Also, she has participated in movies that have gone on to rake in over $1.6 billion at the worldwide box office.

 

She is also one of the richest female celebrities in the world with an estimated net worth of $300 million.

 

 

25. Jennifer Lopez

 

 

Affectionately known as J.Lo, this international artist is a singer and dancer of the highest order. It is only helps that she ventured into acting quite early in her career.

 

While she continued to appear as a Fly Girl dancer on the sketch comedy television series In Living Color during the 1990s, her participation in the biographical musical drama film Selena helped her become the first Hispanic actress to earn over US$1 million for a movie.

 

Her performances in other popular features such as Anaconda and Out of Sight established her as the topmost Hispanic performer in Hollywood.

 

Lopez has not only been a part of film projects with a cumulative gross of over US$3.1 billion globally but she has also sold about 70 million records as a singer.

 

 

26. Shakira

 

 

Referred to as the undisputed “Queen of Latin Music”, the wonderful Shakira has been one of the most popular stage performers of the 21st century. She made her recording debut with Sony Music Colombia at the tender age of 13.

 

While she continued to rise in Latin America during the 1990s, her remarkable growth in the English-speaking markets with the dawn of the new millennium turned her into an international crossover artist.

 

Since she has been a true pioneer who widened the reach of Latino singers, it is not in the least bit surprising that Shakira happens to be the best-selling female Latin artist of all time.

 

Her popularity went beyond the roof following the release of “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” in 2010. The track took the world by storm and went on to become the most popular composition associated with any sporting event anywhere in the world.

 

 

27. Britney Spears

 

 

This American singer and dancer is credited with reviving the teen pop culture during the late 1990s and early 2000s. In fact, her first two studio albums made her the fastest-selling teenage artist in music history.

 

Frequently referred to as the “Princess of Pop”, she has sold over 150 million records worldwide; fifty percent of which have been sold in the United States of America alone.

 

Therefore, one shouldn’t be shocked to learn that Spears was called the eighth-biggest musical artist of the 2000s by Billboard.

 

Even though the pop icon may not be very active today, she has already established herself as one of the world’s best-selling artists.

 

 

28. Diana, Princess of Wales

 

 

Arguably the most popular member of the British royal family, Princess Diana was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, who was the heir apparent to the British throne.

 

Her activism, beauty, and glamour made her far more popular than most actors and singers of her generation. An international icon, her turbulent personal life was often subjected to unprecedented public scrutiny.

 

Since she was the Princess of Wales, Diana took care of her royal duties and was often seen representing the Queen in matters of significance.

 

Even though she was known to be shy, her friendly and compassionate nature helped her build a tremendous fan following across the world.

 

 

29. J. K. Rowling

 

 

The author of the Harry Potter series of books has to be among the most popular women on the planet.

 

While the books have combined sold over 500 million copies to date, they have also been translated into 70 languages across the globe.

 

Add to that the fact that stories authored by Rowling have also paved the way for the enormously successful Harry Potter franchise of feature films, video games, and other merchandise related to the brand.

 

Courtesy of her services to literature and philanthropy, she has been appointed to the Order of the British Empire and made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour.

 

 

30. Adele

 

 

The mellow-voiced Adele is among the world’s best-selling music artists today. Known and adored for her incredibly strong vocals, the singer-songwriter has sold over 120 million records worldwide, thus far.

 

Her second studio album smashed all records and went on to cement its place as the world’s best-selling album of the 21st century. Titled “21”, it sold over 31 million copies.

 

While she soon became the first female artist in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to have three simultaneous top-ten singles as a lead performer, her album “21” also helped her make several entries into the dreamy Guinness Book of Records.

 

 

31. Bette Davis

 

 

An extraordinary actor and one of the greatest screen legends in the history of American motion pictures, Bette Davis preferred to play manipulators or killers in most of her promising projects in an era when women in mainstream cinema were shown to be soft and sympathetic.

 

She was one of the most significant actresses of her time; a fact that was acknowledged by the American Film Institute which ended up ranking her as the second greatest actress of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

 

What separated Davis from her contemporaries during the 1930s and 1940s was the fact that she could make a mediocre film come across as watchable merely because she happened to play an assertive part in it.

 

 

32. Joan Crawford

 

 

Voted the tenth greatest female star of the Golden Age of Hollywood by the American Film Institute, Joan Crawford was one of the most well-regarded film personalities of her time.

 

Even though she was initially worked up about not getting quality roles to play, she ended up being recognized as a flapper nationally by the fag of the 1920s.

 

Not long after having made her acting debut, Crawford established herself as one of the highest-paid women in all of America.

 

While she was a firm believer in self-publicity, her screen appearances in classic rags-to-riches stories were well received by the audience during the tough era of the Depression.

 

 

33. Miley Cyrus

 

 

Miley’s distinctive raspy voice and numerous chartbuster tracks ensured that she attained the most US Billboard 200 top-five albums in the 21st century by a female artist.

 

With a total of thirteen entries on the aforementioned list, she is widely regarded as one of the most eccentric and talked-about singers of the new millennium.

 

Cyrus had a great start to her career by being the face of Disney Channel’s billion-dollar franchise Hannah Montana. The show helped her transform into the ultimate “Teen Queen.” Today, she stands tall as one of the most popular multi-genre artists who has sold millions of records globally.

 

 

34. Selena Gomez

 

 

Besides being a terrific singer, Selena Gomez has also tried her hands at both acting and producing. The star began her screen career after having acted in the children’s television series Barney & Friends.

 

She he first rose to prominence after playing the lead role in the Disney Channel television series Wizards of Waverly Place and found further fame after making her successful transition to being a lead vocalist.

 

Named Billboard’s Woman of the Year in 2017, Gomez is known to have collaborated with many charitable organizations. In addition, she has also served as a UNICEF ambassador since the age of 17.

 

You can currently catch her playing one of the lead protagonists in Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building.

 

 

35. Betty White

 

 

A true pioneer of early television, Betty White was an outstanding screen actor whose career spanned more than seven strong decades.

 

One of the first few women within the entertainment industry to make her presence felt both in front of and behind the camera, she was reportedly the first woman to have ever produced a sitcom in the United States of America.

 

The highly decorated actor earned a Guinness World Record for having the “Longest TV career by an entertainer (female).” Therefore, we must stress that White was truly the first and the one true lady of television.

 

 

36. Grace Kelly

 

 

One of the most elegant actors to have ever graced the silver screen, Grace Kelly was truly the epitome of grace and sophistication.

 

While she continued to rise as a movie star during the 1950s, it was her wedding with Prince Rainier III that became a piece of news to savor for millions across the globe.

 

Officially the Princess of Monaco following her marriage, she bid her career goodbye to fulfill her duties as the beloved Princess.

 

Her charity, Princess Grace Foundation, was aimed at making the lives of children and local artisans better. Kelly was named the 13th greatest actress of Classic Hollywood Cinema by the American Film Institute.

 

 

37. Mary Tyler Moore

 

 

Actress, producer, and social advocate Mary Tyler Moore was best known for her character projection on The Dick Van Dyke Show between 1961 to 1966.

 

She was able to make a long-lasting impact through The Mary Tyler Moore Show; a sitcom often credited with defining a new perception of womanhood within the United States of America.

 

A vocal advocate of animal rights and vegetarianism, she had been a recipient of seven Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards.

 

She was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to the television industry.

 

 

38. Hedy Lamarr

 

 

This Austrian-born American film star was not only popular because she found herself scaling heights of success as a performer during the late 1930s and throughout the 1940s but also because many saw her as one of the most beautiful women on the planet at the time.

 

It is imperative to mention that along with composer George Antheil, she went on to develop a radio guidance system for Allied torpedoes during the Second World War.

 

The technology that Hedy helped evolve went on to form the basis for today’s WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth communication systems.

 

Needless to say, there are more reasons than one to call her one of the greatest female celebrities of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

 

 

39. Catherine Deneuve

 

 

One of the greatest European actresses to have ever faced the camera, Catherine Deneuve is known to have portrayed an icy and enigmatic beauty on celluloid for several renowned filmmakers.

 

She was honored with the opportunity of a lifetime to succeed Mireille Mathieu as the official face of Marianne, France’s national symbol of liberty, in 1985.

 

After she became the face of Chanel No. 5 in the late 1970s, the sale of perfumes soared rather dramatically in the United States of America.

 

This both fascinated and astonished the American media; members of which went on to call her the most elegant woman in the world.

 

 

40. Sophia Loren

 

 

Sophia Loren has been one of the only performers from cinema’s golden age who continues to be a remarkable illustration of beauty even today.

 

While her acting career and famed loveliness did help her amass a massive fan following during the peak of her career, she was also popular because she set new benchmarks in marketing.

 

The Italian sensation successfully branded herself and her name and, consequently, was the first noted celebrity to launch her own perfume.

 

Easily among the most popular actresses in the world during the 1960s, Loren won 22 international awards for her outstanding character play in the critically and commercially successful war drama Two Women.

 

 

41. Greta Garbo

 

 

This Swedish-American actress is still considered to be one of the finest mainstream female performers to have ever graced the silver screen.

 

Known for her somber persona and tragedy-driven performances, she was named the fifth greatest actress of the Golden Age of Hollywood by the American Film Institute.

 

Garbo’s performances in motion pictures such as Flesh and the Devil and A Woman of Affairs brought her international acclaim and turned her into a major box office star.

 

Even though her career started to wane with the onset of the 1940s, she remained the highest-paid actor at MGM for the better part of the decade.

 

In fact, Washington Post once reported years ago that Garbo was a virtual cult figure at the peak of her popularity.

 

 

42. Michelle Obama

 

 

Make way for arguably the most admired first lady in the history of the United States of America’s politics.

 

An advocate for women’s rights, poverty awareness, and physical health, Michelle Obama went on to become an inspiration to millions of women across the globe during her tenure as the first lady.

 

Also known for her polished and smart fashion sense, she topped Gallup’s poll of the most admired women in America for the third year running.

 

Obama has successfully delivered acclaimed speeches at the Democratic National Convention in 2012, 2016, and 2020, respectively. Her memoir, Becoming, was the best-selling book in the United States of America in 2018.

 

 

43. Lana Del Rey

 

 

Easily one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 21st century, Lana Del Rey’s music is known for its cinematic quality, melancholia, and references to the popular culture of the 1950s and 1960s Americana.

 

A recipient of various accolades, her contributions to the music industry and popular culture of the 2010s cannot be refuted.

 

Needless to say, she has been an inspiration to not only her peers but also to aspiring musicians who have followed her for her solid personality.

 

Lana was the only musician to have featured on The Washington Post’s “Decade of Influence” list. It is not surprising then that her YouTube and Vevo pages reportedly have combined views of over four billion.

 

 

44. Ellen DeGeneres

 

 

This comedian, television host, actress, writer, and producer rose to prominence after having participated in the sitcom Ellen from 1994 to 1998; grabbing a Primetime Emmy Award for “The Puppy Episode”.

 

However, it’s been her remarkable stint as the host of the syndicated television talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, that truly made her as popular as she is today.

 

DeGeneres has received 33 Daytime Emmy Awards for the aforementioned show. She has also been the host of the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, and the Primetime Emmys, respectively.

 

She was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.

 

 

45. Cher

 

 

Cher rose to prominence among her fans and the mainstream media for symbolizing female autonomy in an industry that was dominated by men. She has been referred to as the “Goddess of Pop” by many who have followed her work religiously.

 

In order to appeal to fans of the newer generations, she has been aware enough to change her appearances and style throughout her six-decade-long and successful career.

 

The artist has sold more than 100 million records to date and is, in fact, the only musician to have had a number-one single on a Billboard chart for six consecutive decades.

 

 

46. Vivien Leigh

 

 

Idolized as one of the most beautiful screen performers in the world during her heyday, Vivien Leigh’s early cinematic endeavors helped her gain fame in Britain.

 

However, she became an internationally recognized actor after having played the main lead in the biggest box office hit at the time: Gone with the Wind.

 

While some were hell-bent on stereotyping Leigh as a beautiful lady who didn’t perhaps need to act to turn heads, she did go on to deliver another sensational performance in A Streetcar Named Desire.

 

She received a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway musical version of Tovarich.

 

 

47. Sridevi

 

 

Cited as the “First Female Superstar” of Indian cinema, Sridevi was an actor par excellence who went on to establish herself as the biggest female star in several film industries within the Indian subcontinent.

 

Known for her reticent personality, she set the screen ablaze by playing iconic characters in several noteworthy slapstick comedies and epic drama films throughout the course of her five-decade-long career.

 

She was the highest-paid Indian actress throughout the 1980s and till, at least, the first half of the early 1990s.

 

Honored with India’s fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, Sridevi has been called ‘India’s Greatest Actress in 100 Years’ in a CNN-IBN national poll conducted in 2013.

 

 

48. Kim Kardashian

 

 

Kim Kardashian, aside from being a stylist and a model, has also been a popular media personality and businesswoman.

 

Even though she first gained fame for being a close aide and stylist of Paris Hilton, it was her infamous sex tape that made her famous among the masses.

 

Kim and her family are also popular for coming up with the reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians. The success of the show also led to a handful of spin-off series.

 

Kardashian, who has hundreds of millions of followers across various social media platforms, has also released several products that are tied to her name.

 

 

49. Malala Yousafzai

 

 

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for female education and one of the most influential personalities to make it to our story on the most popular women in the world.

 

The world’s youngest Nobel Prize laureate, she is known for her advocacy of human rights and her fight for the education of women.

 

Even though the campaign started by Malala had an awfully painful beginning, it went on to become an international movement in due course of time.

 

Unquestionably the most prominent and recognized citizen of Pakistan in the world today, Yousafzai has received several honors both within her home country and beyond.

 

 

50. Serena Williams

 

 

Arguably the greatest female Tennis player of all time, Serena Williams has been ranked singles world No. 1 by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for 319 weeks in total.

 

She is the winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles, which happens to be the most by any player in the Open Era.

 

Serena and her older sister Venus have also won 14 major women’s doubles titles; therefore, establishing themselves as the most formidable Tennis duo in modern history.

 

The pair continues to remain unbeaten in the Grand Slam doubles finals. That said, Serena is considered to be a role model for youngsters across the globe; especially the ones who share her love for Tennis.