Top 10 Sex Icons of All Time
From Marilyn Monroe to Angelina Jolie, these female celebs have animal magnetism like you wouldn't believe.
- Carolyn French, BettyConfidential.com
Mankind has always been fascinated by stunningly attractive women. Tastes have obviously evolved over the years (petticoats and corsets have pretty much died off thankfully!) but the rule of thumb remains - if her face and her booty are bangin', you can be sure that straight males will flock to the cinema, max out their credit cards on erotic keepsakes, and make damn fools of themselves in an attempt to get up close and personal with their favorite starlets.
Read The Ultimate Sex Playlist
Here are 10 famous women who have perfected the art of the sex symbol…
Bettie Page
Fetish model Bettie Page was a breath of fresh air, to say the least, during the era of sexual repression. She was first discovered in 1950 by an aspiring photographer who asked her to pose after noticing the buxom babe hanging around Coney Island. Five years later, Bettie landed a shoot with Playboy, and her fate as a professional model was sealed.
Marilyn Monroe
It's a shame that loving Marilyn Monroe has become something of a cliché, because she truly was a one of a kind beauty. Marilyn, born Norma Jean Baker, paved the way for future stars (see: Christina Hendricks) who are most definitely not a size 2.
Read Marilyn Monroe's 10 Best Fashion Moments
Mae West
Daring '30s star Mae West, who will mostly be remembered for her naughty quotes "Is that a pistol in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me" and "I remember our date and have the splinters to prove it," penned three plays all revolving around sexuality. The first was simply titled Sex, which ran on Broadway for a couple of weeks before being axed for indecency. Mae's second production was called The Drag (about gay men) and her final attempt was The Pleasure Man. The last two were quickly banned from Broadway. Quite the achievement!
Madonna
'80s teens scared the hell out of their parents when they started rocking fishnets, rubber bracelets and knew all the words to controversial songs "Like a Virgin" and "Papa Don't Preach". Madonna was a force to be reckoned with, and at 52 she hasn't lost her touch for turning much younger dudes (aka Jesus Luz) into her willing servants.
Read Madonna Wants Lady Gaga Now!
Farrah Fawcett
The feathered hair, those sparkling eyes, Charlie's Angels star Farrah Fawcett did for red bathing suits what Paris Hilton did for purse pets. That infamous poster was featured on the walls of 8,000,000 American men. Yowza!
Pamela Anderson
Booby McBoobBoob, or Pamela Anderson, became the "It Girl" of the '90s after starring on popular TV shows Home Improvement and Baywatch. She has appeared in Playboy magazine a total of 19 times, so don't be too surprised when she lands yet another steamy centerfold or cover.
Read Pamela Anderson: Banned in Canada!
Kim Basinger
9 ½ Weeks … need we say more? Actually yes, Kim Basinger was also very fetching in L.A. Confidential. The blonde bombshell is still going strong, and recently appeared alongside cougar bait Zac Efron in Charlie St. Cloud. If we were Vanessa Hudgens, we would have spent a lot of time on that movie set!
Angelina Jolie
Lips, lips, lips! If you had to describe Angelina Jolie in one word, wouldn't that be it? The once unapproachable star now spends her days shuffling the kiddies from playdate to playdate and fighting for the less fortunate. However, Miss Mother Earth will always be a sex goddess underneath it all-and who knows what Brad and Angie have going in the bedroom?
Megan Fox
While she isn't known for thinking before she speaks, Megan Fox does have a few things going for her (and we don't really feel the need to point them out). She was awarded the title of #1 sexiest woman by FHM in 2008, ranked #2 in Maxim's Hot 100 of 2009, and on and on and on. This girl isn't going anywhere!
Read Exclusive Q&A on the Real Megan Fox
Britney Spears
Before she married K-Fed, stuffed tacos down her gizzard, shaved her head and stopped wearing bras, Britney Spears was one of the hottest pop stars to ever grace the cover of Rolling Stone. Guys went crazy for her, and every girl wanted to be her. Brit has cleaned up nicely since the whole hospital debacle - if you don't count the budget weave she's been sporting - and we will always be happy to croon along to her tunes on karaoke night.
Tell us: Who is your all-time favorite sex icon?
Carolyn French is an assistant editor at BettyConfidential.
To read more from BettyConfidential:
