Raquel Welch

Raquel Tejada Welch (September 5, 1940 – February 15, 2023) was an American actress, dancer, and entertainer who became one of the most recognizable and celebrated actresses of the 1960s and 1970s. Born in Chicago to a Bolivian father and English mother, Welch grew up in the Pacific Northwest before pursuing her entertainment career in Los Angeles. She rose to international stardom following her breakout role in the 1966 science fiction film 'Fantastic Voyage,' but her most iconic role came in 'One Million Years B.C.' (1966), where her appearance in a fur bikini became one of cinema's most memorable and culturally significant images. Throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, Welch appeared in numerous successful films spanning comedy, action, and drama, including 'Three Musketeers,' 'Kansas City Bomber,' and 'The Last of Sheila,' demonstrating her range as an actress. Beyond film, she was a successful recording artist, television performer, and Las Vegas headliner, maintaining a glamorous, high-profile public presence. Welch became not just an actress but a cultural icon representing the sexual liberation and changing attitudes toward women in the 1960s counterculture era. She won a Golden Globe and Golden Boot Award, and was consistently ranked among the world's most beautiful and desirable women by various publications. Her career longevity was remarkable—she continued performing, appearing in films, television, and stage productions well into her 80s, remaining a respected entertainer and businesswoman.