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The Most Beautiful American Woman of All Time: Vote Now!

by Marissa Gold (Subscribe to Marissa Gold's posts)
Posted Jun 29th 2010 at 1:15PM  
241 Comments
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Left to Right: Jackie O, Jennifer Aniston, Jaclyn Smith, Grace Kelly; Jessica Biel, Faye Dunaway, Ava Gardner, Angelina Jolie. Photos: Corbis / Getty Images / FilmMagic

Through the years, America has had no shortage of great beauties. This July 4th we're looking to celebrate them.

Last week, Grace Kelly's son, Prince Albert, got engaged to South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock. When we opined that the young blonde bares a striking resemblance to Kelly, her would-be mother-in-law, many of your responded that no one -- and you mean, no one -- can compare with the iconic Princess of Monaco.

"Charlene is lovely but she's no Grace Kelly," one reader commented. Others echoed the sentiment with statements like "Come on now. Not even close" and "You're kidding right? Get some new glasses."

After we read through all 96 comments, it became clear that this topic needed further investigation.

Left to Right: Vanessa Williams, Farrah Fawcett, Veronica Lake, Scarlett Johansson; Marilyn Monroe, Beyonce, Jessica Alba, Julia Roberts. Photos: Getty Images / Corbis / WireImage / FilmMagic

Whether or not Charlene Wittstock is worthy of comparison to Grace Kelly, there are many other modern beauties who may be able to hold court. We polled our staff to see which women stood out in time as the most beautiful, and a hot debate between the decades ensued.

There was certainly a lost art of beauty that thrived back in Hollywood's golden years. Black and white images made delicate features look dramatic, and the signatures of each screen siren (Marilyn Monroe's perfectly coiffed locks, Jean Harlow's pencil-thin brows, Veronica Lake's flowing waves...) weren't just larger than life -- they were trailblazing trends that many had never seen before.

Left to Right: Jennifer Lopez, Tyra Banks, Jean Harlow, Halle Berry; Sandra Bullock, Rita Hayworth, Cindy Crawford, Jessica Lange. Photos: Getty Images / WireImage / AP

And yet, modern times have brought some positive changes, too. Advances in health and fitness have allowed stars like Jessica Biel and Jennifer Aniston to build gorgeously healthy physiques, and have helped set new standards of beauty -- from golden skin or bold eye brows to wrinkle-free foreheads -- that are a far cry from the icons of the '40s and '50s.

So, in the spirit of July 4th, we want to know: Who, in your eyes, is the greatest American beauty of all time? Whether it's a classic starlet like Grace Kelly or a modern belle like Halle Berry, here's your chance to cast your vote, below.

Have another choice? Leave a comment and let us know who you think deserves the top spot. But don't forget, this poll is celebrating American-born beauties only, so (though it pained us) we had to leave some otherwise beloved babes (like Israeli-born Natalie Portman and London-born Elizabeth Taylor) out.



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Filed under: Beauty, Celebrity, News, Celebrity Beauty, Celebrity Style
Tags: American Beauty, AmericanBeauty, Charlene Wittstock, CharleneWittstock, Grace Kelly, GraceKelly, july 4th, July4th, poll
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READER COMMENTS

(241)Add A Comment

George, 9-03-2010, 11:28AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
George

There will never be a woman to top Ava Gardner. These other women are only "also rans" and yesterday's news. Grace Kelly was a sell out of standard fare an icon for the sycophantic slow wits. Inconceivable.

Reply »

anna saxton, 6-30-2010, 2:25PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
anna saxton

i am a ava gardner fan,my grandmother was to kin to her and she looked like her too ,and all theses ladys are so lovely and faith hill should be on this list as well she has a grace kelly look her self and shania twain even though she is from another country,but its just what i think, dont hate on me ,just vote on who you would pick,and godbless

Reply »

Jeanne Whisnant, 6-30-2010, 3:18PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Jeanne Whisnant

Definitely Ava Gardner! No one comes close.

Reply »

luna, 6-30-2010, 4:40PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
luna

Some of the women you guys have on here are a complete joke, Tyra, Beyonce, please, give me a break, have you guys seem them hags without makeup? thank you.

Reply »

Stan Reid, 6-30-2010, 8:15PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Stan Reid

My vote is for Ava Gardner as the most beautiful actress of all time.

Reply »

kitty carchetti, 7-01-2010, 1:51AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
kitty carchetti

i think ava is the most beautiful.
kitty

Reply »

j, 6-30-2010, 10:34PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
j

Myrna Loy

Reply »

Dolores DiLiberti, 7-01-2010, 10:28AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Dolores DiLiberti

Ava was and is the most beautiful natural beauty

Reply »

Terry, 7-01-2010, 2:24PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Terry

My choice is Robin Meade. Please add her to your survey. Thank you kindly.

Reply »

Pamela Farmer, 7-01-2010, 6:59PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Pamela Farmer

Some of those candiates must be in serious need of glasses. They cannot compare to Ava on their best days.T

Reply »

Snitty snit snot, 7-01-2010, 2:57PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Snitty snit snot

Folks pay attention, zees leest is for Americain womain!!
Zat meens zat zay moost be or hav bean born in zee USA.
My choice eez the lovely Brittany Murphy. May she rest in
paz.Pleez donut try to argue with my choice. I will not
recant.

Reply »

robv, 7-01-2010, 3:15PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
robv

Has non one ever seen Raquel Welch????? By far the most beautiful woman, in her twenties.... and now approaching 70..

Reply »

Linnie, 7-01-2010, 4:43PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Linnie

Jacqueline Smith is by far the most beautiful woman. It's a known fact that any artist will tell you when painting her, she has the perfect symmetrical face there. Just perfect

Reply »

Linda, 7-01-2010, 4:54PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Linda

I also think that Audrey Hepburn should be on this list

Reply »

Matt, 7-01-2010, 6:04PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Matt

Raquel Welch was by far the most beautiful woman in the world during her prime. The race isn't even close.

Reply »

Sam750, 7-01-2010, 7:03PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Sam750

Lots of beauties but Sandra Bullock? Julia Roberts? Jessica Alba? Jennifer Lopez?
they don't even belong on the list! The list is outclassed by Raquel Welch who wasn't even on the list. Still very beautiful!!!

Reply »

carspiv, 7-01-2010, 7:18PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
carspiv

Jean Harlow? Ewwwww! What a dog! Jennifer Aniston and that trout on her face that she calls a nose? Farrah Fawcett was a cadaverous head with a lot of hair and teeth the size of bars of Ivory Soap. Jackie Kennedy??? Marilyn Monroe, who might just be the next biggest myth in history after Jackie Kennedy?

Where is Gene Tierney? Eva Longoria? Bo Derek? Madeline Stowe? Natalie Wood? Alana de la Garza? Janine Turner? Even that giant mole is beautiful on her! My wife? Jeez, the judges are blind!

Reply »

eye, 7-02-2010, 8:58AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
eye

Where's Maureen O'Hara?????

Reply »

jack, 7-02-2010, 12:02PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
jack

This is tough because most of the beauties listed here are also extremely famous, but I don't think that most of them are representative of the best of the American Beauties. I voted for Grace Kelly, but some others, who were not as famous but could or should have been on this list were the luminous Joi Lansing and possibly Carole Landis. In a different time Myrna Loy would definitely have been on this list. A couple of other non-native America beauties I'd like to at least mention (even though they can't make the list) are Sophia Loren and Hedy Lamarr.

Reply »

Jack, 7-02-2010, 12:02PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Jack

That is possibly the most unflattering photo of the beautiful Rita Hayworth I've ever seen! Linda Evangelista should have been on this list long before a lot of these other dogs and Plain Janes. Also, why wasn't Geena Davis? or Daryl Hannah? or Uma Thurman??

Reply »

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