Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Unflip

1 2 ··· 10 11 12 ··· 19 20

Original poster

Just for balance: The Most Beautiful Women Ever

497 replies

AngleofRepose · 29/08/2026 22:55

In reference to The Most Beautiful Man thread,

Just for balance, I thought we ought to show the women as well...

Gong Li
Zhang Ziyi
Louise Brooks
Cyd Charisse

Just for balance: The Most Beautiful Women Ever

OP posts:

Thread gallery

213

JeanSimmons · 30/08/2026 13:28

Comtesse · 30/08/2026 12:52

Catherine Deneuve surely?

Indeed, and also her sister, Francoise Dorleac.

JeanSimmons · 30/08/2026 13:27

Gwenhwyfar · 30/08/2026 12:39

I'm no Royalist, but I think both Kate and Megan are beautiful and even more so in their youth.

Show quote history

I don't agree about either of them. They are just well groomed, not beautiful. Diana was the closest to a beauty the RF had IMO, and even she wasn't physically gorgeous, it was more her aura.

Evanah · 30/08/2026 13:20

Charlize Theron
Piper Parebo

Abhannmor · 30/08/2026 13:19

Julie Christie , who I once walked with on a CBD march. Very beautiful, sweet and tiny.

Fast800goingforit · 30/08/2026 13:18

IcedPurple · 30/08/2026 13:15

There is a resemblance. Ava Gardner does look quite 'modern' compared to other actress of the era.

I do think she is way more beautiful than Zendaya though. Zendaya has a model's height and great bone structure, but lacks Ava's sensuality and magnetism.

Show quote history

I agree - I think it's something about Ava's eyes that makes her more beautiful. In fact, beautiful eyes are often the key imho.

MozzarElla84 · 30/08/2026 13:17

Enko · 30/08/2026 08:27

Lupita Nyong'o is so gorgeous

As a child I thought queen Silvia of Sweeden was just the most beautiful woman ever

Ohh Yes Lupita Nyong'o is so beautiful!!

Echobelly · 30/08/2026 13:15

Grace Kelly
Michelle Pfeiffer
Lupita Nyong'o
Helena Bonham Carter
Iman

IcedPurple · 30/08/2026 13:15

Fast800goingforit · 30/08/2026 13:13

Zendaya is reminiscent of Ava Gardener in this photo.

Show quote history

There is a resemblance. Ava Gardner does look quite 'modern' compared to other actress of the era.

I do think she is way more beautiful than Zendaya though. Zendaya has a model's height and great bone structure, but lacks Ava's sensuality and magnetism.

Fast800goingforit · 30/08/2026 13:13

IcedPurple · 30/08/2026 12:58

Ava Gardner really was extraordinary. She had a sensuality and allure which even the most beautiful actresses of the era lacked.

Zendaya is reminiscent of Ava Gardener in this photo.

MozzarElla84 · 30/08/2026 13:13

Megsdaughter · 30/08/2026 12:58

Caitriona Balfe, in her mid forties and just getting more beautiful without any work done. Now an actress, but spent her late teens and 20's as a model.

Exactly this! i find her becoming even more beautiful as she's aging. She has the prettiest laugh lines ever!

Fast800goingforit · 30/08/2026 13:12

CharlesPetrescu · 30/08/2026 11:12

Nastassja Kinski
Gemma Arterton
Senta Berger

At last someone mentioned Natassja!

I do think there's a difference between beautiful and pretty and some of those women who have been named are not what I would call beautiful in terms of looks alone.

lifeisgoodrightnow · 30/08/2026 13:12

Mariska Hargitay

MozzarElla84 · 30/08/2026 13:11

This is actually an easier one than the beautiful men-thread 😆. I think women are generally way more interesting to look at!(And i'm not a lesbian) But some of my favorites are Rosalía, Caitriona Balfe and Alicia Vikander. All so talented and elegant and gorgeous 😍

Megsdaughter · 30/08/2026 12:58

Caitriona Balfe, in her mid forties and just getting more beautiful without any work done. Now an actress, but spent her late teens and 20's as a model.

IcedPurple · 30/08/2026 12:58

Ava Gardner really was extraordinary. She had a sensuality and allure which even the most beautiful actresses of the era lacked.

MayIDestroyYou · 30/08/2026 12:57

It does seem unfair that one human should contain so much beauty and actual genius …

Mintyt · 30/08/2026 12:54

Kelly Brook

IcedPurple · 30/08/2026 12:52

DY10DY11 · 30/08/2026 09:09

There's some left field choices here. Bit like the other thread, some women I'd say are pretty but not unusual looking as in you can go to any city and see pretty (often young) women about.

Absolutely agree with Kristen Scott Thomas. So elegant. And yes , Megan Markle is a very beautiful woman despite what anyone thinks of her. She is absolutely stunning in Suits!

For balance, Catherine Princess of Wales is beautiful too. Not a royalist, but she is lovely.

Julie Christie is another one. Have we mentioned her yet?

Brigitte Bardot ?

There's some left field choices here. Bit like the other thread, some women I'd say are pretty but not unusual looking as in you can go to any city and see pretty (often young) women about.

But I'd say the same about your choices! Both Kate and Meghan, imo, are attractive but definitely not beautiful. Many women could look as good with a whole team looking after them.

Kirsten Scott Thomas is elegant and alluring rather than beautiful.

Julie Christie and BB I agree with.

So yes it really is all in the eye of the beholder!

Comtesse · 30/08/2026 12:52

Catherine Deneuve surely?

TheKindnessProject · 30/08/2026 12:50

Aha, done!

Thatcannotberight · 30/08/2026 12:50

Alexandra Bastedo. Stunning.

TheKindnessProject · 30/08/2026 12:49

I can't seem to attach the picture I downloaded, but Michaela Coel. I have never seen such absolute breathtaking bone structure. Add in the luminous that skin, incredible eyes and lips. I would give some teeth to look like her. Maybe not teeth, maybe a child.

Gwenhwyfar · 30/08/2026 12:42

DY10DY11 · 30/08/2026 09:09

There's some left field choices here. Bit like the other thread, some women I'd say are pretty but not unusual looking as in you can go to any city and see pretty (often young) women about.

Absolutely agree with Kristen Scott Thomas. So elegant. And yes , Megan Markle is a very beautiful woman despite what anyone thinks of her. She is absolutely stunning in Suits!

For balance, Catherine Princess of Wales is beautiful too. Not a royalist, but she is lovely.

Julie Christie is another one. Have we mentioned her yet?

Brigitte Bardot ?

Yes, the young BB.

DY10DY11 · 30/08/2026 12:40

dietcokeandapizzaplease16 · 30/08/2026 11:45

I was unaware of her until recently, but yes, she is. She also seems refreshingly natural.

Show quote history

Amazing actress. Listen to her desert island discs episode. She's fantastic.

Gwenhwyfar · 30/08/2026 12:39

JeanSimmons · 30/08/2026 10:41

Kate? She's average. So are all the RF.

Show quote history

I'm no Royalist, but I think both Kate and Megan are beautiful and even more so in their youth.

Unflip

1 2 ··· 10 11 12 ··· 19 20