1940 to 2020 – Check Out Which Female Icons Ruled The World (5 of 8)

1980: Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is a leading singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer. But most of all remember her from Hannah Montana, where she played the cool aunt we all wish we had. She started her career back in the 70s as a singer, with over twenty-five of her songs making it to the pole position on Billboard number one in the country genre. She went on to win ten Grammys and earned nominations for well over fifty songs.

1981: Princess Diana

Princess Diana, who was a British Royal Family member, was the wife of Prince Charles of Wales. But that is not what defined her. She was one of the most popular fashion icons of the 80s and had a great love for dance, music, and sports. She was often in the news for her extramarital affairs. Diana always campaigned for AIDS patients, amongst other social initiatives.

1982: Meryl Streep

One of the best actors of all time, Meryl Streep is known for her thespian approach to acting. She has the knack to pull off any character in the world. Streep has nominated for Oscars over 21 times and has won eight times. She started her career with theater, playing a role in Trelawny of the Wells. Later, she transitioned over the silver screen where she worked in some of the most critically acclaimed movies of all time, such as Out of Africa, The Bridges of County, Into the Woods, and Devil Wears Prada. She continues to be a leading female icon for millions of fans around the world.

1983: Jessica Lange

One of the very few actresses to have the ‘triple crown’ of acting, Jessica Phyllis Lange won two Oscars, five Golden Globe Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, and one Tony Award. She is known for her acting in Tootsie, Country, Frances, and Music Box. Blue Sky was another critically acclaimed performance that earned her multiple nominations. She is also a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.

1984: Shirley MacLaine

Shirley MacLaine is a versatile American actress who is also an author, dancer, and activist. She got her first big break with The Trouble With Harry, where she starred alongside Alfred Hitchcock. She went on to work in several critically acclaimed movies like Terms of Endearment, Around the World in 80 Days, Bernie, and She Came Running. She won an Oscar for best actress for her work in Terms of Endearment and earned a nomination for She Came Running.

1985: Madonna

Madonna probably needs no introduction. One of the most popular pop stars of all time, Madonna broke onto the scene for the first time in the 1980s, and she has never looked back since then. She started her career as a dancer but later joined rock bands like Emmy and Breakfast Club as a vocalist and guitarist.

She soon signed a contract with Sire Records and gave one of her first popular albums like True Blue and Like a Virgin. She also released Confessions on a Dance Floor and Ray of Light, both of which ended up winning Grammy Awards for her. Madonna has also starred in several movies, and won the Golden Globe best actress award for Evita!

1986: Betty White

A comedian and a leading actress, Betty White has a career that has spanned well over eight decades now. Often referred to as the ‘Mayor of Hollywood’, some of her most popular performances include Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She even produced a sitcom named Life with Elizabeth. She went on to win several awards for her comedy shows as well as acting stints and remains one of the most popular actresses in the entertainment industry.

1987: Nancy Reagan

Wife of 40th POTUS, Ronal Reagan, Nancy Reagan was a very popular movie actress. Born in New York City, Nancy Reagan was a popular figure in the Hollywood industry in the 40s, where he landed a seven-year deal with MGM Studios. Some of her most critically acclaimed performances include the ones in West Side, Donovan’s Brain, and The Next Voice You Hear.

1988: Glenn Close

Regarded as one of the most versatile actresses of her generation, Glenn Close started her career with Love for Love. She made a transition over to the silver screen with flicks like The Big Chill, The Natural, and The World According to Garp. However, her most popular work continues to be Fatal Attraction and Dangerous Liaisons. She, however, couldn’t win an Oscar despite being nominated seven times – which in itself is an unfortunate record she holds. She also worked in a few Broadway plays, some of which include The Real Thing and Barnum.

1989: Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey, popular talk show host, actress, philanthropist, and television producer is a renowned name in the American entertainment industry. Her talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show is considered to be one of the most popular shows of all time. Known as the ‘Queen of all media’, Winfrey continues to be a popular female icon for fans all across the world. She has won over eighteen Daytime Emmy Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, an Academy Award.