Beauty Icon Bios

These were archived to help with fulfilling of Step 1 of GSUSA Outside the Mirror badge requirements.

Here’s a list of historical beauty icons. These are real people from the past who were admired for their appearance, style, and cultural influence.

These figures span different eras, backgrounds, and genders. They are a great starting point for scouts exploring how beauty standards have changed over time.

Ancient & Classical Figures

These figures shaped early ideals of beauty, power, and identity across empires and cultures. Admired in their time and reimagined through centuries of art and legend, they represent timeless expressions of elegance, influence, and defiance. From golden-haired warriors to gender-nonconforming emperors, their portrayals continue to inspire conversation around how beauty and legacy intertwine.

Alexander the Great – Macedonian ruler known for his golden hair, clean-shaven face, and heroic portrayal in classical art.
Antinous – Roman youth and companion of Emperor Hadrian, idealized in sculpture for his soft features and graceful form.
Cleopatra – Egyptian queen known for her charisma, intelligence, and iconic eye makeup.
Elagabalus – Roman emperor who reportedly identified with feminine presentation and was known for elaborate dress and makeup.
Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus – Often depicted with idealized facial symmetry and calm authority in Roman portraiture.
Nefertiti – Ancient Egyptian royal famous for her symmetrical features and elegant bust sculpture.
Wu Zetian – First female emperor of China, admired for her regal presence and beauty rituals.

Renaissance to 19th Century

From powdered wigs to poetic stares, this era saw beauty entwined with fashion, intellect, and rebellion. These icons challenged conventions, set trends, and sparked admiration across continents. Some reshaped gender norms, others defined elegance. Each left a lasting mark on how beauty could be expressed, performed, and politicized.

Joan of Arc – French heroine who wore male armor and short hair, defying gender expectations in both life and art.
Joséphine Bonaparte – Napoleon’s wife, admired for her grace and romantic style during the Empire era.
Leonardo da Vinci – Celebrated for his refined features and intellectual mystique; his self-portraits reflect introspective beauty.
Lola Montez – Dancer and actress who captivated European courts with her bold beauty and charm.
Lord Byron – Romantic poet admired for his pale skin, intense gaze, and brooding elegance.
Marie Antoinette – French queen known for extravagant hairstyles, powdered skin, and fashion influence.
Oscar Wilde – Known for his flamboyant fashion, sharp features, and aesthetic philosophy that challenged Victorian norms.
Prince Albert – Husband of Queen Victoria, admired for his polished style, grooming, and influence on men’s fashion.
Public Universal Friend – American preacher who renounced gendered pronouns and adopted androgynous clothing after a near-death experience.
Queen Elizabeth I – Known for her pale skin, red hair, and elaborate fashion that shaped Tudor beauty ideals.
Sarah Bernhardt – Celebrated French actress with dramatic features and theatrical elegance.

20th Century Icons

This century unleashed a kaleidoscope of beauty: from glamour to rebellion, from polished elegance to fierce self-expression. These figures broke barriers and defined style across music, film, and art. Whether challenging gender norms, celebrating cultural roots, or mesmerizing audiences with screen-worthy allure, they remind us that beauty in the 20th century was performed, questioned, and reinvented.

Audrey Hepburn – Admired for her slim frame, expressive eyes, and timeless elegance.
Billie Holiday – Jazz singer known for her signature flower accessory and graceful stage presence.
Billy Tipton – Jazz musician assigned female at birth who lived as a man and was admired for his suave style and musical talent.
Bruce Lee – Celebrated for his lean physique, intense presence, and cultural impact on global masculinity.
Cary Grant – Known for his suave demeanor, tailored suits, and timeless Hollywood charm.
Claude Cahun – French surrealist photographer known for self-portraits that blurred gender boundaries and celebrated androgyny.
David Bowie – Redefined beauty through androgyny, bold fashion, and expressive self-presentation.
Elizabeth Taylor – Famous for her violet eyes, glamorous style, and bold presence.
Frida Kahlo – Mexican artist who embraced natural features and used self-portraiture to express identity.
Grace Kelly – American actress turned princess, known for her refined beauty and poise.
James Dean – Symbol of rebellious youth, with tousled hair, brooding eyes, and effortless cool.
Josephine Baker – Performer who challenged racial beauty norms with her expressive style and confidence.
Marilyn Monroe – Hollywood star known for her platinum hair, red lips, and curvy figure.
Paul Newman – Admired for his piercing blue eyes, rugged elegance, and humanitarian legacy.
Prince – Musician who fused masculine and feminine fashion, makeup, and performance to redefine beauty and self-expression.
Veronica Lake – Actress with iconic peek-a-boo hairstyle and classic Hollywood glamour.

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Timeline Options

Option 1 – Chronological by Birth Year

Nefertiti, Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus, Antinous, Elagabalus, Wu Zetian, Joan of Arc, Queen Elizabeth I, Leonardo da Vinci, Public Universal Friend, Marie Antoinette, Joséphine Bonaparte, Lord Byron, Prince Albert, Lola Montez, Sarah Bernhardt, Oscar Wilde, Claude Cahun, Cary Grant, Frida Kahlo, Josephine Baker, Billy Tipton, Billie Holiday, Veronica Lake, Paul Newman, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, Bruce Lee, David Bowie, Prince.

Option 2 – Chronological by Year of Public Influence

Here is a chart of each figure’s first major public influence, whether through debut performances, published works, political roles, or public personas.

Name	First Public Influence	Type of Influence
Nefertiti	c. 1353 BCE	Became Queen of Egypt
Alexander the Great	336 BCE	Became king of Macedon
Cleopatra	51 BCE	Ascended as co-ruler of Egypt
Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus	44 BCE	Named heir of Julius Caesar
Antinous	c. 128 CE	Became Hadrian’s companion
Elagabalus	218 CE	Became Roman emperor
Wu Zetian	660 CE	Began ruling as empress consort
Joan of Arc	1429 CE	Led French troops at Orléans
Leonardo da Vinci	c. 1472 CE	Joined Florence painters’ guild
Queen Elizabeth I	1558 CE	Became Queen of England
Marie Antoinette	1774 CE	Became Queen of France
Public Universal Friend	1776 CE	Began preaching after illness
Joséphine Bonaparte	1795 CE	Parisian socialite and political connector
Lord Byron	1807 CE	Published first poetry collection
Prince Albert	1840 CE	Married Queen Victoria
Lola Montez	1843 CE	Debuted as dancer in London
Sarah Bernhardt	1862 CE	Joined Comédie-Française
Oscar Wilde	1881 CE	Published first poetry collection
Claude Cahun	1914 CE	Published first literary work
Josephine Baker	1925 CE	Debuted in Paris cabaret
Cary Grant	1932 CE	First Hollywood film appearance
Billie Holiday	1933 CE	First commercial recording
Billy Tipton	1936 CE	First jazz recordings
Frida Kahlo	1938 CE	First solo exhibition in NYC
Veronica Lake	1941 CE	Breakout role in I Wanted Wings
Elizabeth Taylor	1942 CE	Breakout role in Lassie Come Home
Marilyn Monroe	1946 CE	First film contract
Audrey Hepburn	1951 CE	First major film role
Grace Kelly	1951 CE	First film appearance
James Dean	1953 CE	First TV appearance
Paul Newman	1954 CE	Broadway debut
Bruce Lee	1966 CE	Starred as Kato in The Green Hornet TV series
David Bowie	1969 CE	Released Space Oddity
Prince	1978 CE	Debut album For You

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