16 Iconic Beauties From the Early 20th Century
The dawn of the 20th century sparked a golden age of allure, with women whose captivating looks and vibrant personas enchanted the world.
These trailblazing figures didn’t merely draw attention—they reshaped culture, redefined style, and left enduring marks on entertainment and society.
Let’s celebrate these extraordinary women whose charm outlasted their time and continues to inspire.
1. Lillian Russell: America’s Diamond Diva
With an hourglass figure and golden voice, Lillian Russell, dubbed “The American Beauty,” dazzled 1890s audiences. Her fame as a singer and actress made her a trailblazing star, earning gifts of jewels and inspiring women to mimic her ornate hairstyles.
Russell’s sharp business sense secured her up to $3,000 weekly, equivalent to over $90,000 today.
2. Evelyn Nesbit: The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing
Evelyn Nesbit’s delicate features and auburn curls made her the most sought-after artist’s model of her day. Her youthful beauty launched countless product advertisements and inspired the “Gibson Girl” look that defined an era.
Fame turned tragic when she became entangled in the “Trial of the Century” after her millionaire husband shot her former lover. The ensuing scandal riveted America, transforming Nesbit from celebrated beauty to tabloid sensation overnight.
3. Mata Hari: The Exotic Enchantress
Born Margaretha Zelle, Mata Hari crafted a mystical persona as a Javanese dancer, captivating Europe with provocative performances.
Her dark eyes and olive skin bolstered her fabricated royal backstory. While her allure opened elite circles, her romantic ties to officers led to her downfall as a suspected spy.
4. Camille Clifford: The Original Hourglass
The Gibson Girl silhouette came to life in Camille Clifford’s corseted waist and S-curved frame. Her dramatic figure stunned theatergoers, setting Edwardian beauty standards.
Photographers vied for her image, with postcards selling thousands, as Clifford embraced her role as a style icon.
5. La Belle Otero: The Million-Dollar Courtesan
Carolina Otero, better known as La Belle Otero, possessed a magnetic allure that brought kings and princes to their knees. The Spanish dancer’s voluptuous figure and fiery performances at the Folies Bergère made her Paris’s most celebrated entertainer.
Men reportedly dueled over her affections! Her legendary jewelry collection, gifts from countless admirers, was valued at modern-day millions.
Unlike many beauties of her era who faded into poverty, clever Otero amassed a fortune that sustained her long after her dancing days ended.
6. Lily Elsie: The Edwardian Angel
After starring in The Merry Widow, Lily Elsie’s ethereal beauty, with her oval face and dark eyes, sparked a fashion craze. Her signature “Merry Widow hat” became a must-have.
Despite her shy nature, Elsie’s look inspired countless imitations, cementing her as an Edwardian trendsetter.
7. Cléo de Mérode: The First Photographic Icon
French ballerina Cléo de Mérode pioneered celebrity culture through photography. Her signature hairstyle, parted in the middle with hair covering her ears, sparked a global fashion craze that women still replicate today.
As photography became mainstream, de Mérode’s delicate features appeared on countless postcards and cigarette cards. She shrewdly controlled her image, working only with photographers who captured her best angles.
King Leopold II of Belgium became so obsessed with her beauty that rumors of their affair persisted despite her denials.
8. Aida Overton Walker: The Bronze Venus
Aida Overton Walker shattered racial barriers as the most celebrated Black performer of the early 1900s. Her refined beauty and exceptional dancing skills earned her the nickname “The Bronze Venus” from adoring audiences.
Walker revolutionized stage performance by blending traditional African movements with European dance forms. Beyond her stunning appearance, she fought tirelessly against stereotypes, insisting Black performers receive the same respect as their white counterparts.
9. Lina Cavalieri: The Face That Launched a Thousand Plates
Italian soprano Lina Cavalieri’s flawless features adorned over 500 decorative plates by artist Piero Fornasetti.
Her almond eyes and bow-shaped lips defined classical beauty, enchanting opera audiences from Milan to New York. Multiple marriages to wealthy suitors underscored her magnetic charm.
10. Consuelo Vanderbilt: The Dollar Princess
American heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt’s classical beauty came with America’s largest dowry. Her willowy figure, swan-like neck, and perfect posture epitomized aristocratic elegance, making her the most sought-after debutante of her generation.
Forced into marriage with the Duke of Marlborough to satisfy her mother’s social ambitions, Consuelo’s striking beauty graced England’s most exclusive drawing rooms. Her natural grace and kind heart won over British society despite initial skepticism about the “American invasion.”
11. Ethel Barrymore: The First Lady of American Theater
Ethel Barrymore’s commanding presence and distinctive profile made her American theater’s undisputed queen. Unlike the dainty beauties of her era, Barrymore’s strong features and intelligent gaze projected sophistication that audiences found irresistible.
Her expressive face launched the “Barrymore look”—slightly raised eyebrows suggesting both amusement and disdain. Men found her irresistible while women admired her independence.
As the matriarch of America’s greatest acting dynasty, Ethel combined classical beauty with formidable talent that kept her in the spotlight for over fifty years.
12. Polaire: The Wasp-Waisted Wonder
A 16-inch waist defined French performer Polaire’s striking silhouette, captivating Paris with her bold look. Her large eyes and arched brows created an almost surreal allure, dubbed “grotesquely beautiful.”
Dramatic makeup and a pet cheetah amplified her wild, theatrical performances.
13. Maude Fealy: The Postcard Darling
Maude Fealy’s delicate beauty made her America’s most photographed woman, with her image appearing on thousands of postcards. Her porcelain complexion, soulful eyes, and rosebud lips personified innocent beauty in an increasingly modern world.
Unlike many stage beauties who relied on heavy makeup, Fealy’s natural loveliness translated perfectly to early photography. Her face launched countless collecting frenzies as admirers worldwide sought her latest portraits.
14. Gladys Cooper: Britain’s Photographic Phenomenon
Gladys Cooper’s heart-shaped face launched her modeling career at just 16, establishing her as a rising beauty in Britain. Her perfect bone structure and luminous complexion made her a favorite subject for early postcard photographers.
During World War I, Cooper’s portraits became talismans for soldiers at the front, who carried her image as a reminder of the beauty they were fighting to protect.
Her career spanned an astonishing 70 years, proving her beauty was matched by remarkable talent and determination.
15. Lottie Collins: The High-Kicking Sensation
High kicks in her “Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay” dance shocked Victorian audiences, with Lottie Collins revealing glimpses of leg that defied norms. Her vibrant energy contrasted with era’s delicate ideals.
Packed theaters proved her bold charm was a winning formula.
16. Elisabeth of Bavaria: The Aging Empress
Even in her fifties, Empress Elisabeth, or Sisi, preserved her famed beauty through rigorous routines. Her waist-length hair and strict diets maintained her youthful figure.
While extreme, her efforts reflected a society fixated on eternal youth, even for royalty.