17 Most Beautiful Women Who Defined The 1940s
Beauty in the 1940s carried a glow shaped by resilience, elegance, and unmistakable Hollywood glamour.
On screen and in print, certain women became symbols of the era, their poise and presence offering both escape and inspiration during a turbulent decade.
Soft waves, bold lips, confident silhouettes, and a quiet strength defined their appeal, creating icons whose influence still lingers in fashion and film today.
Disclaimer: This article reflects subjective editorial impressions of 1940s cultural figures and should not be interpreted as definitive fact or universal judgment.
1. Rita Hayworth
Often called The Love Goddess, Rita Hayworth set hearts racing with her fiery red locks and stunning presence.
Her role in Gilda became legendary, featuring that iconic glove-peeling scene that defined sensuality for a generation.
Beyond her looks, she brought depth and vulnerability to every character she played.
2. Ingrid Bergman
Swedish-born Ingrid Bergman possessed a natural beauty that needed no Hollywood tricks or heavy makeup.
Her luminous complexion and expressive eyes made her perfect for romantic dramas like Casablanca.
She won three Academy Awards throughout her career, proving talent matched her stunning appearance.
Critics praised her authenticity, noting she brought genuine emotion to every scene she graced.
3. Lauren Bacall
That husky voice and smoldering gaze made Lauren Bacall the ultimate femme fatale of film noir.
She was only nineteen when she starred opposite Humphrey Bogart in To Have and Have Not.
Her confident, almost defiant beauty broke the mold of passive Hollywood starlets.
The chemistry between her and Bogart was so electric they married in real life!
4. Gene Tierney
Those haunting green eyes and porcelain complexion made Gene Tierney absolutely unforgettable on screen.
Her role in Laura showcased both her beauty and her ability to portray complex characters.
She earned an Oscar nomination for Leave Her to Heaven, playing a dangerously obsessive woman.
Many consider her one of the most beautiful women ever to grace Hollywood films.
5. Hedy Lamarr
Beauty and brains rarely combined like they did in Hedy Lamarr, the Austrian-born Hollywood sensation.
Her exotic features captivated audiences in biblical epics like Samson and Delilah.
However, she was also a brilliant inventor who co-developed frequency-hopping technology used in modern WiFi!
Talk about breaking stereotypes – she proved gorgeous actresses could be scientific geniuses too.
6. Lana Turner
Platinum blonde Lana Turner embodied the American dream, discovered at a soda fountain as a teenager.
Her tight sweaters earned her the nickname The Sweater Girl during World War II.
She starred in The Postman Always Rings Twice, delivering a performance dripping with dangerous allure.
Soldiers overseas pinned her photos in their lockers for inspiration and comfort.
7. Veronica Lake
Veronica Lake’s signature peek-a-boo hairstyle became so popular that women everywhere copied it obsessively.
Her petite frame and mysterious blonde beauty made her perfect for noir thrillers.
During wartime, she actually changed her hairstyle because factory workers kept catching their hair in machinery!
She proved that sometimes fashion trends need practical adjustments for safety.
8. Vivien Leigh
British beauty Vivien Leigh captivated the world as Scarlett O’Hara, though that was technically 1939.
Throughout the 1940s, she continued enchanting audiences with her delicate features and powerful performances.
Her porcelain skin and expressive eyes conveyed emotions that words sometimes couldn’t capture.
She battled personal demons privately while maintaining grace and elegance publicly throughout her career.
9. Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn’s unconventional beauty and fierce independence set her apart from typical Hollywood starlets.
She wore pants when other actresses stuck to dresses, challenging gender norms everywhere.
Her sharp cheekbones and commanding presence made her unforgettable in romantic comedies.
She won multiple Oscars, proving substance always beats surface-level prettiness in the long run.
10. Betty Grable
Her million-dollar legs became the most famous in Hollywood, so iconic that the studio behind her career even insured them for a fortune.
Her pin-up photos decorated military barracks worldwide, boosting soldier morale during difficult times.
She starred in colorful musicals that provided escapism when audiences desperately needed cheerful entertainment.
Her girl-next-door charm made her relatable despite her incredible beauty and success.
11. Ginger Rogers
The old saying goes that Ginger Rogers matched Fred Astaire step for step, only she did it backwards and in high heels.
Her graceful movements and radiant smile lit up musical numbers throughout the decade.
She won an Oscar for dramatic acting, proving she wasn’t just a pretty face who danced.
Her versatility and charm made her one of the era’s highest-paid and most beloved stars.
12. Joan Crawford
A commanding aura and striking, dramatic features made Joan Crawford the very picture of sophisticated glamour throughout the 1940s.
Her perfectly sculpted eyebrows and bold lips became her signature look that fans adored.
She won her only Oscar for Mildred Pierce in 1945, playing a determined working mother.
Her career longevity proved that reinvention and determination could overcome Hollywood’s age bias.
13. Judy Garland
Judy Garland’s expressive eyes could convey heartbreak and joy within seconds of each other.
Though she started as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, the 1940s showcased her mature talent.
Her powerful voice and emotional depth made her one of cinema’s most beloved performers.
Behind her radiant smile lay struggles that sadly plagued her throughout her too-short life.
14. Carole Landis
No actress threw herself into entertaining World War II troops with more dedication than Carole Landis.
Her blonde beauty and genuine warmth made soldiers feel remembered and appreciated during dark times.
She performed in dangerous war zones, showing courage that matched her stunning appearance.
Tragically, she died young in 1948, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and selfless service.
15. Ann Sheridan
Studios nicknamed Ann Sheridan The Oomph Girl, though she reportedly hated that silly title.
Her auburn hair and vivacious personality made her a favorite in both comedies and dramas.
She brought intelligence and wit to roles that might have been one-dimensional with lesser actresses.
Her down-to-earth nature endeared her to co-stars who appreciated her lack of Hollywood pretension.
16. Olivia de Havilland
Her delicate beauty hid a fierce resolve, and Olivia de Havilland used it to help reshape Hollywood contract law for good.
She fought her studio in court and won, freeing actors from unfair long-term contracts.
Her performances in The Heiress and other 1940s films earned critical acclaim and awards.
She proved that pretty faces could possess sharp minds and even sharper courage when necessary.
17. Maureen O’Hara
Maureen O’Hara’s fiery red hair and spirited personality made her perfect for adventurous Technicolor films.
Her Irish heritage gave her a unique beauty that stood out among typical Hollywood blondes.
She performed her own stunts, refusing to let her glamorous image limit her physical capabilities.
Her partnership with director John Ford created some of cinema’s most memorable strong female characters.
