Raquel Welch
It was certainly an uphill battle for Raquel Welch before the media and audiences began noticing her in films. She started out in various small roles, and rose to prominence after appearing in the movie ‘One Million Years B.C.’, where she wore her iconic fur bikini.
Things quickly picked up from there for the young actress, as she went on to appear in several more popular films, including 1967’s ‘Bedazzled’, 1968’s ‘Bandolero!’ and 1969’s ‘100 Rifles’. Welch’s legacy is mostly centered around popularizing the strong female character type and changing gender relations in Hollywood.
Jane Birkin
Jane Birkin rose to prominence thanks to her decade-long relationship with Serge Gainsbourg, one of the world's most popular and important French singers and songwriters. She also had a highly successful acting career in both British and French cinemas, and was often coached by Gainsbourg.
The actress is known for acting in various popular films and TV shows, including 'Death on the Nile', 'Evil Under the Sun', and 'A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries'. Birkin recently starred in the Academy Award-nominated short film 'La femme et le TGV', claiming it would be her final role.
Britt Ekland
Swedish actress and singer Britt Ekland appeared in many popular films in the 1960s and 1970s. Her most prominent films include 'The Night They Raided Minsky's', 'Get Carter', and others. Ekland even landed herself a lusted Bond girl role, when she appeared in 1974's 'The Man with the Golden Gun'.
In early 1964, Ekland met successful actor, comedian and singer Peter Sellers (most famous for starring as Chief Inspector Clouseau in 'The Pink Panther' series). Sellers proposed to her that very same week, and the two got married just 10 days later. Their marriage ended up lasting just four years.
Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth is best known as one of the most prominent sex symbols in Hollywood back in the '40s and '50s. She was described by the press as a "Love Goddess" and was the most featured pin-up girl for soldiers during World War II.
Hayworth’s most famous film role was in 1964's 'Gilda', where she played one of Hollywood's first "femme fatales". The model and actress faced various difficulties throughout her life, from alcoholism to Alzheimer’s disease. She passed away in the late ‘80s, but will always be remembered for her beauty and talents.
Catherine Deneuve
French actress Catherine Deneuve rose to prominence after her breakthrough roles in 'Les Parapluies de Cherbourg' and Roman Polanski’s 'Répulsion'. She is a 14-time César Award nominee, and worked as the occasional singer, model and producer. The actress is still active today and has appeared in over 100 movies.
Deneuve was also highly revered for her beauty, and was picked as the official face of Marianne, the French personification of liberty. The actress has always been involved in politics, and recently came out against the #MeToo movement, saying that it devolved into a witch-hunt at this point.