Elizabeth Hurley

Elizabeth Jane Hurley was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire, and studied at the London Studio Centre after attending the Costello School in her hometown. She initially hoped to become a professional dancer and took ballet classes as a child.

During her teenage years, Hurley embraced punk fashion, dyeing her hair pink and piercing her nose. She continued her studies in sixth form, taking A-levels in English, Sociology and Psychology before moving into dance and theatre training.

Hurley made her film debut in the anthology film Aria in 1987 and later appeared in Passenger 57. Her breakthrough came with Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery in 1997, in which she played Vanessa Kensington opposite Mike Myers. She reprised the role in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and also appeared in EDtv, Serving Sara and Bedazzled, where she played the Devil opposite Brendan Fraser.

She also worked as a producer on Extreme Measures and Mickey Blue Eyes, two films associated with Hugh Grant's Simian Films. Her television work includes a guest role as Diana Payne in the fifth season of Gossip Girl and the lead role of Queen Helena in E!'s The Royals, which ran from 2015 to 2018. She played Morgan le Fay in the final season of Marvel's Runaways and later appeared in projects including Father Christmas Is Back and Strictly Confidential.

In Strictly Confidential, released in 2024, Hurley acted and served as a producer in a film written and directed by her son, Damian Hurley. She has also taken on television presenting and judging roles, including hosting Project Catwalk and appearing as a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

Hurley began modelling for Estée Lauder at the age of 29 and became one of the company's best-known representatives. Her campaigns included the fragrances Pleasures, Beautiful, Dazzling, Tuscany per Donna and Sensuous, and she appeared three times on the cover of British Vogue. She has also worked on campaigns for Jordache, Got Milk?, Monsoon and Lancel.

Her association with Estée Lauder expanded into breast cancer awareness work. The company created an “Elizabeth Pink” lipstick connected with fundraising for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and Hurley became a global ambassador for the company's breast cancer campaign.

In 2005, she launched Elizabeth Hurley Beach, an eponymous beachwear line that she models. She later designed and modelled a 12-piece swimsuit collection for the Spanish clothing brand Mango.

Hurley met Hugh Grant in 1987 while working on the Spanish production Remando al Viento. Their 13-year relationship made her a frequent subject of international media attention, particularly after she accompanied Grant to the 1994 London premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral wearing a black Versace dress held together with gold safety pins. The couple announced an amicable separation in 2000.

Hurley gave birth to her son, Damian Charles Hurley, on 4 April 2002. Steve Bing was established as Damian's father by a DNA test, and Hugh Grant is Damian's godfather. Hurley later worked with Damian on Strictly Confidential, in which he was the writer and director.

She married Indian businessman Arun Nayar in 2007, and they divorced in 2011. Later in 2011, she became engaged to Australian cricketer Shane Warne, but their relationship ended in 2013. Hurley announced her relationship with musician Billy Ray Cyrus in 2025.

Hurley has supported the Prince's Trust, including by co-presenting the 2003 Fashion Rocks event and helping launch its Get Into Cooking youth initiative. She has also helped raise funds for the End Hunger Network, ARK children's charity and the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre.

She is a patron of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and has been associated with the City Veterans Network, which connects former members of the armed forces with rehabilitation and employment opportunities. Her breast cancer awareness work has remained closely linked to her long-running Estée Lauder partnership.