The winners of the Maxim hot 100 — see how they look today

Born Eleanor Nancy Gow, Elle became known as 'The Body', counting five Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers in her portfolio. 

But she's also found professional success as the founder of nutritional supplement brand WelleCo. and penned 2024 biography Elle.

Elizabeth Hurley has been ruling catwalks and red carpets since she stepped out in her iconic Versace safety pin gown. She's also found fame on screen, including a role as Vanessa Kensington in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.

In 2024, Liz starred in and produced her son's debut directorial feature Strictly Confidential, and has also found continued success with her beachwear label.

Ashley Graham has been an empowering voice in the fashion industry, encouraging women to pursue self-acceptance over unachievable beauty standards.

Her cover star status provided the perfect opportunity to campaign for body diversity, with Ashley telling the magazine: "We can look at everybody’s shapes and sizes, gender, ethnicity, and age as part of who they are; it doesn’t have to be a negative or a positive."

Paige Spiranac defines 'multi-talented'. As a pro-golfer and wildly successful influencer, she was the first athlete to reach the No.1 spot on Maxim's ranking.

 The same year, she publicly announced her split from former minor league baseball player Steven Tinoco. Now, she keeps fans posted on and off the golfing green via her Instagram. 

Singer-songwriter and actress Teyana Taylor has plenty of strings to her bow. The year she was ranked in the top spot, Teyana was certainly busy proving her star power and multi-hyphenate skills.

In 2021, she debuted at the Met Gala, co-starred with Eddie Murphy in comedy sequel Coming 2 America and gave us a glimpse into her glamorous life with her now ex-husband Iman Shumpert in We Got Love: Teyana & Iman.

A spot on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is one thing, but influencer Olivia Culpo enjoyed her second star shoot for the magazine in 2019. 

All eyes were on the star as she began dating NFL player Christian McCaffrey, her now-husband who she wed in 2024. The couple share daughter Colette Annalise McCaffrey and are expecting their second baby.

Model and actress Kate Upton appeared in features like The Other Woman, The Layover and The Three Stooges in the lead up to her Maxim champion status.

The year before her 2018 top spot, Kate married baseball star Justin Verlander. The mother-of-two is still just as in-demand and just as glamorous 8 years on.

Before she was a Bieber, Hailey Baldwin was selected as Maxim's top-achieving star, with the standout looks to boot, in 2017.

She's not slowed down in the 9 years since, instead she's continued to direct her energy into the Rhode brand, tied the knot with pop star Justin Bieber and welcomed son Jack Blues Bieber in 2024.

It's not just good looks, but a good brain for business that can land you gold on Maxim's ranking. Fortunately, Stella Maxwell has been proving she's got what it takes since 2016.

With a diverse portfolio including a former Victoria's Secret Angel gig, a modelling contract with Elite and a (very chic) pet supply company PEROPERO to her name, Stella certainly fits the bill.

It's hard to remember a time when Taylor Swift wasn't making her way around the globe as one of the most universally recognised celebrity names.

Her 2014 album 1989 marked a jump to certified star status with tracks like 'Bad Blood' and 'Wildest Dreams' leaving her country roots in the dust. The next year, Maxim confirmed her heightened celebrity with a cover shoot.

Candice Swanepoel has been the definitive blonde bombshell for over a decade, and is still a model of elegance today. She's even founded her own eco lifestyle brand Tropic of C that is reportedly inspired by the female form.

In 2014, she was at the height of her career as a Victoria's Secret Angel and ranking as one of the highest paid models in the world by Forbes.

From famous child star and country icon to pop sensation, Miley Cyrus' image changed overnight with the release of Bangerz in 2013. 

With her iconic music video for 'Wrecking Ball' showing the artist in a completely new light, it's no surprise Maxim were quick to name her their number 1.

Bar Refaeli was kept busy in 2012, with a feature in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and stepping into the role of ambassador for the Piaget Rose 2012 jewellery collection.

Given her cultural influence that year, particularly her star spread in Sports Illustrated, it's clear why she was voted Number 1 on Maxim's hot 100. 

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley chose 2011 as the year to transition from her Victoria's Secret modelling fame to a new role as a certified movie star.

That year, she starred in Transformers: Dark of the Moon and was awarded 'Female Star of Tomorrow' at Cinema Con. No wonder she won the top spot!

Now, she's better known as the director of Booksmart and Don't Worry Darling, but in 2009 it was her role as Dr Remy Hadley on House and as Princess Inanna in Year One that won her fame.

Completing her series hits, Olivia took top spot on Maxim's hot 100 and was a fixture on the red carpet at events like the Golden Globe Awards, People's Choice Awards and the Primetime Emmys.

In 2008, Victoria's Secret model Marisa Miller starred on the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue, a recurring theme for Maxim's number one.

She took home the top spot, beating the likes of Beyonce, Charlize Theron and Jessica Simpson. 

Lindsay Lohan found herself in the public eye throughout 2007. Star roles on Georgia Rule and I Know Who Killed Me ensured she made a mark on Hollywood and took the Number 1 ranking for the year.

Her private life also faced plenty of scrutiny with public arrests for driving under the influence and periods in rehabilitation.

Eva Longoria is, to date, the only Maxim number one to win twice, let alone in subsequent years. In 2005, she continued to find success on Desperate Housewives as Gabrielle Solis.

The next year, she co-starred in thriller The Sentinel and founded Eva's Heroes, a charity helping young adults with developmental disabilities. Two years well deserving of matching wins.

Jessica Simpson continued to cement her place in pop-culture with reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, co-starring with then-husband Nick Lachey.

In 2004, she also headlined The Reality Tour and re-released multi-platinum album In This Skin, making the year a perfect fit for her ruling status on the Maxim hot 100.

In late 2002, Christina Aguilera released studio album Stripped, a sequel that The Guardian declared turned her into a "sexually provocative power figure". 

So she was an obvious choice for 2003's top spot at just 22 years old. We're still singing 'Fighter' today.

The 13 Going on 30 star kept busy on screen in 2002 with a lead role in Alias as CIA double agent Sydney Bristow and in Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can.

Jennifer Garner won a Golden Globe Award for her role in Alias, putting her at the top of her acting fame. A win on Maxim's hot 100 was surely the cherry on the top!

At just 20 years old, Jessica Alba won 2001's top spot on the ranking. She rose to fame on Fox series Dark Angel as Max Guevara.

Since then, she's found continued fame in features like Fantastic Four, Honey, Into the Blue and Good Luck Chuck.

The first star to win the hot 100 was former synchronised swimmer and model Estella Warren. She, like many of the winners, had featured in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue and was on her way to an acting career.

In 2001, she appeared in Perfume and Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes, starting a career that continued until 2019, when she retired from the public eye.