American actress and model Raquel Welch has died at the age of 82, following a brief illness. Her death was confirmed on Wednesday, marking the end of a career that shaped Hollywood’s portrayal of strong female leads.
Pioneer of Action Heroines
Welch is often credited with paving the way for modern-day action heroines in Hollywood. She rose to international fame in the 1960s and quickly became a global sex symbol, particularly remembered for her bikini-clad role as a cavewoman in the 1966 film One Million Years B.C..
Her career also earned her critical acclaim, including a Golden Globe Award for her performance in The Three Musketeers (1974).
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Jo-Raquel Tejada in 1940, she grew up in California, where she participated in teen beauty pageants and later worked as a local weather forecaster.
After moving briefly to Dallas, Texas, the divorced mother of two modeled for Neiman Marcus and worked as a cocktail waitress before returning to California.
Her Hollywood break came in 1964 with appearances in A House Is Not a Home and Roustabout, a musical starring Elvis Presley.
Rise to Stardom
Welch’s career skyrocketed in 1966 with back-to-back roles in the sci-fi classic Fantastic Voyage and the fantasy film One Million Years B.C.. Although she had only a few lines in the latter, promotional images of her wearing a two-piece deerskin bikini cemented her status as a pin-up icon of the era.
Beyond the Sex Symbol Label
Despite her glamorous image, Welch often voiced discomfort with being labeled a sex symbol. She once remarked:
“I was not brought up to be a sex symbol, nor is it in my nature to be one. The fact that I became one is probably the loveliest, most glamorous, and fortunate misunderstanding.”
Legacy
Raquel Welch leaves behind a legacy as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars, admired for her trailblazing roles, enduring beauty, and resilience in an industry often defined by stereotypes.
