Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones has topped a list of the most beautiful women in the world. She was the number one choice in a new poll voted for by 8,000 women worldwide, stealing the crown from a host of much younger beauties because of her “style and grace”.

The survey allowed women to vote for their all-time favorite beauty icons, with 1960s actress Brigitte Bardot claiming second place, followed by Breakfast At Tiffany’s star Audrey Hepburn at number three.

Today’s hottest celebrities found it hard to compete with the classical beauties of past Hollywood eras, with the late Marilyn Monroe and Dame Elizabeth Taylor, 75, beating Jessica Biel, 25, and 26-year-old Sienna Miller. Strangely enough, Angelina Jolie, who often claims the top spot in beauty polls, failed to make the top 50, with Brad Pitt’s famous former lovers Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow also missing out on a place.

Charlotte Newbert, of poll organisers Nephria Cosmetics, says, “Catherine Zeta-Jones is an ideal winner. She oozes style and grace and her natural beauty just shines through.”

WENN