Ten years ago, Madonna turned 40. It was, of course, a huge affair, as Madonna was (and still is) synonymous with celebrity, and cantankerous pop culture theorists found it a staggering victory on her part that she still managed to be relevant at such an age. Everywhere, the news of her birthday was upon us. It was almost akin to the Y2K countdown.
This was 1998, before reality TV had killed the video star. VH1 made sure its viewers stayed well aware of the impending milestone by flickering "Madonna Turns 40 in _____ Hours!" across younger incarnations of the singer wriggling onscreen. Then she turned 40, and--to the shock of the entertainment world--it didn't seem to change anything.
Things have changed. In August 2008, Madonna turned 50, and while the paparazzi managed to get plenty of shots of her entering and exiting her London party, this birthday didn't seem such a big deal.
Perhaps it's because there are now so many beautiful women who are breaking barriers in a formerly youth-obsessed industry. Sure, cynics may credit plastic surgery for the staying power of these women, but they're overlooking the fact that surgeried or not, these women are fascinating to watch. Some we've loved for decades, while others hit their strides later in life. All are alluringly mature, and all are sexy.
The youth-obsessed style and entertainment industries may have convinced you that women don't age well, and that you can't have serious sex appeal once you've lived half a century. To put it simply: they're wrong. Here's our list of the sexiest women over 50. You may not agree with all our picks, but read through to find out why we think they sizzle.
The youth-obsessed style and entertainment industries may have convinced you that women don't age well, and that you can't have serious sex appeal once you've lived half a century. To put it simply: they're wrong. Here's our list of the sexiest women over 50. You may not agree with all our picks, but read through to find out why we think they sizzle.
See the fifty lovely ladies from the top...
Zimbio's 50 Sexiest Women Over 50:
Zimbio's 50 Sexiest Women Over 50:
50. Katey Sagal
49 Jessica Lange
48. Sigourney Weaver
47. Pam Grier
46. Leeza Gibbons
45. Janice Dickinson
44. Debbie Harry
43. Queen Noor of Jordan
42. Chrissie Hynde
41. Cassandra Peterson
40. Geena Davis
39. Joan Allen
38. Kim Cattrall
37. Susan Lucci
36. Cher
35. Ellen DeGeneres
34. Jane Fonda
33. Tina Turner
32. Susan Sarandon
31. Katie Couric
30. Lynda Carter
29. Dorothy Hamill
28. Beverly Johnson
27. Mary Steenburgen
26. Goldie Hawn
25. Ellen Barkin
24. Sophia Loren
23. Raquel Welch
22. Suzanne Somers
21. Olivia Newton-John
20. Peggy Lipton
19. Rene Russo
18. Sharon Stone
17. Ann Curry
16. Diane Sawyer
15. Cheryl Tiegs
14. Angela Bassett
13. Joan Jett
12. Jaclyn Smith
11. Sela Ward
10. Kim Basinger
9. Andie MacDowell
8. Jane Seymour
7. Madonna
6. Helen Mirren
5. Christie Brinkley
4. Iman
3. Jennifer Tilly
2. Michelle Pfeiffer
1. Holly Hunter
