A study of 2,000 women has revealed that legendary actress Dame Helen Mirren, 70, is considered to be the most empowering female celebrity, beating the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Winslet and Oprah Winfrey to the top spot.
Dame Helen has won a large female following thanks to her down to earth personality and the way she embodies female empowerment – including her latest comments on wishing she’d spoken her mind more when she was younger.
She thought nothing of hitting the beach in her bikini at the age of 63 or tucking into a burger just hours after winning an Oscar still dressed in her designer gown.
Second place in the poll by Lil-Lets went to Harry Potter author J.K Rowling, and America’s First Lady Michelle Obama came third. She was followed by plenty of surprise entries.
It also emerged that over half of the women surveyed said empowered celebrities make them feel more confident about their appearance and the things they do and say.
Mary Young UK and International Marketing Director at Lil-Lets, said: “Women in the public eye can make a real difference to how others lead their lives.
“By seeing our idols and people we look up to doing and saying what they believe in, it can give real women the confidence to do the same.
“They can help to make things that many are too shy or ashamed to do seem more acceptable.”
The research marks the launch of a new initiative by Lil-Lets, its Tampon Truths campaign, which encourages women to share advice on topics still classed as taboo in today’s society.
It revealed that although celebrities make women feel less embarrassed about the likes of body hair, weight and sex lives, 52 per cent still avoid discussing periods, sexual history, and personal health.
Mary Young added: “Women shouldn’t be embarrassed to talk openly about something that is part of daily life.
“Lil-Lets is very proud to be starting an honest conversation around tampons and other taboos and encouraging women to share information and advice on these topics to help remove the social stigmas.”
To find out more about the Lil-Lets Tampon Truths campaign and its SmartFit tampon range visit Smartfit.co.uk.
Top 40 ‘Women’s Women’
1. Helen Mirren
2. J.K Rowling
3. Michelle Obama
4. Adele
5. Jessica Ennis-Hill
6. Angelina Jolie
7. Jennifer Lawrence
8. Kate Winslet
9. Oprah Winfrey
10. Emma Thompson
11. Miranda Hart
12. Kelly Holmes
13. Hilary Clinton
14. Emma Watson
15. Fearne Cotton
16. Nigella Lawson
17. Kelly Clarkson
18. Beyonce
19. Taylor Swift
20. Mary Portas
21. Serena Williams
22. Rita Ora
23. Cameron Diaz
24. Zara Philips
25. Rebel Wilson
26. Lady Gaga
27. Zooey Deschanel
28. Melissa McCarthy
29. Anne Hathaway
30. Amy Poehler
31. Amy Schumer
32. Katy Perry
33. Nicki Minaj
34. Tina Fey
35. Caitlyn Moran
36. Lily Allen
37. Lena Dunham
38. Scarlett Johansson
39. Khloe Kardashian
40. Cara Delevingne
