Looking back, each decade in history has had its own distinct idea of beauty. We had heroine chic in the '90s, buxom blondes in the '50s, and boyish flappers in the Roaring Twenties. The 1960s was a fascinating time because we found ourselves coming to the end of the Golden Age of Hollywood and entering a time of liberation. Second-wave feminism saw women embrace their sexuality in a new way, but we still had some of the classic Hollywood beauty symbols at the forefront of popular culture.
Let's see which stars were considered the most beautiful women of the 1960s. Click through the gallery to get started.
Marilyn Monroe was the original blonde bombshell, rising to fame in the 1950s. Her reign of glory lasted into the 1960s, until she died tragically young in 1962. Some credit her as a catalyst for the sexual revolution of the '60s.
Jane Fonda is just as much an icon today as she was 60 years ago! In the '60s, she was known for playing the eponymous lead in the sexy sci-fi movie 'Barbarella' (1968).
Catherine Deneuve is another French actress famed for her beauty. She was often cast as mysterious and aloof, and worked with some of the greatest directors of her time.
Lesley Lawson, widely known by the nickname Twiggy, is a British model who ruled the mod scene of the 1960s. She was only a teen, but skyrocketed to fame with her iconic pixie haircut.
Goldie Hawn made her career playing loveable, girl-next-door characters in comedy movies in the 1960s. She has barely changed since then!
Raquel Welch only had a few lines in the movie 'One Million Years B.C.' (1966), but the image of her wearing that animal skin bikini made her an instant beauty symbol. Her posters became best sellers.
The gorgeous Ann-Margret is a Swedish-American actress, singer, and model. She's best known for her roles in movies like 'Bye Bye Birdie' (1963) and 'Viva Las Vegas' (1964).
Italian actress Claudia Cardinale was known all across Europe after starting out in beauty competitions. She's well known for her role in the 'The Pink Panther' (1963).
Angie Dickinson's career has spanned an incredible six decades! She rose to fame in the '60s with movies like the original 'Ocean's 11' (1960) and 'The Killers' (1964).
Barbara Eden is best known for her iconic role as Jeannie on the sitcom 'I Dream of Jeannie.' Her sexy outfit was a popular Halloween costume for decades, although few could pull it off like she did!
Late British actress Diana Rigg was a heartbreaker in the 1960s. She starred as a sexy spy in 'The Avengers', and more recently she played the role of the wily Olenna Tyrell in 'Game of Thrones.'
The world fell in love with a young Natalie Wood as Susan Walker in 'Miracle on 34th Street' (1947). By the 1960s, she had established herself as a successful actress and famous beauty.
Actress Julie Christie was one of the great London icons of the Swinging Sixties. On top of raking in numerous Oscars, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes, she was a total knockout!
French actress Brigitte Bardot had an immeasurable impact. Beyond her reputation as one of the most beautiful women alive, she was described by Simone de Beauvoir as a “locomotive of women’s history.” She was considered one of the most liberated women in post-war France.
Anita Ekberg was another curvaceous blonde who captured hearts in the 1950s and 1960s. She starred in Fellini's 'La Dolce Vita' in 1960. Some called her "Paramount’s Marilyn Monroe.”
Pamela Tiffin, with her famous bouffant, was a bright star in the 1960s, albeit for a short time. She was known for her roles in 'One, Two, Three' (1961) and 'Harper' (1966).
Tina Louise was best known for playing the character Ginger on the hit show 'Gilligan’s Island.' The character was aptly named for Louise's iconic red hair.
Romy Schneider was a German-French actress who played many sensual, intelligent leading ladies throughout the 1960s. She won two César Awards, and was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Actress for 'The Cardinal' (1963).
The dark and mysterious Katharine Ross starred in the Oscar-winning movie 'The Graduate' in 1967. In 1975, she was the beautiful star of 'The Stepford Wives.'
Alexandra Bastedo was a British actress who became a famous beauty symbol in the 1960s. She was best known for her role on the the espionage/sci-fi series 'The Champions.'
British actress Jacqueline Bisset had one of her first big roles opposite Frank Sinatra in 'The Detective' (1968). By 1977, she was starring in 'The Deep' and became famous for her wet t-shirt.
Michele Mercier was an iconic French actress of the 1960s, who worked with many of the greatest directors in Europe. She appeared in over 50 films.
Elizabeth Montgomery was known for playing the famous nose-twitching witch on the classic sitcom 'Bewitched.'
Lee Remick was an American starlet of the 1960s who was often cast as a sensual female lead in crisis. She was known for films like 'Days of Wine and Roses' (1962) and 'The Omen' (1976).
Yvonne Craig was an American actress and ballet dancer who was best known for her role as Barbara Gordon, or Batgirl, in the 1960s TV series 'Batman.' Needless to say, the purple spandex was a big hit!
Sources: (Ranker) (Groovy History)
See also: The most stunning female celebs of the 1970s
Who were the most beautiful women of the 1960s?
Standards of beauty have changed, but these women are timeless
CELEBRITY Vintage
Looking back, each decade in history has had its own distinct idea of beauty. We had heroine chic in the '90s, buxom blondes in the '50s, and boyish flappers in the Roaring Twenties. The 1960s was a fascinating time because we found ourselves coming to the end of the Golden Age of Hollywood and entering a time of liberation. Second-wave feminism saw women embrace their sexuality in a new way, but we still had some of the classic Hollywood beauty symbols at the forefront of popular culture.
Let's see which stars were considered the most beautiful women of the 1960s. Click through the gallery to get started.