2026’s World’s Most Beautiful Star Has Been Named, and It’s This Actress

Anne Hathaway has been named PEOPLE’s World’s Most Beautiful cover star for 2026, according to PEOPLE magazine. The feature focuses on her long career, her personal growth, and how she now approaches life with less pressure and more ease.

In the interview, Hathaway, 43, talks about how her mindset has changed over the years. She explains that early in her career she was very strict with herself, thinking it would make her a better actress. That changed as she got older. She said, “When I started out, I thought I’d be a better artist if I was really hard on myself. And then turning 40, I just kind of found a different gear, and I was no longer interested in living an awkward life. I was just interested in getting to the fun part.”

The article looks back at her journey in Hollywood, starting from her early fame in The Princess Diaries and moving through major films like Les Misérables, Brokeback Mountain, and Alice in Wonderland. It also highlights her Oscar win and her current status as one of the most in-demand actresses in the industry.

One of the biggest points in the feature is her return to The Devil Wears Prada 2. Hathaway shares that coming back to the role of Andy Sachs after many years felt special, especially because she got to work again with Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. She describes the experience as positive and meaningful.

The interview also touches on her personal life. Hathaway gives credit to her husband, Adam Shulman, and their two children for keeping her grounded while her career stays busy. She says her life is full of work and constant movement, but she still finds joy in simple things like reading the newspaper, walking, and spending time with loved ones.

She also talks about how she sees beauty now. In her view, beauty is tied to truth, even when life is not perfect. She says meaningful friendships are also important to her, especially people who bring humor and honesty into everyday life.

Hathaway reflects on her past too, saying she had a long awkward phase and often struggled with confidence and communication when she was younger. Over time, she says she learned more about herself and became more comfortable in her own skin.

The PEOPLE feature presents her as someone who has grown into a more relaxed and confident stage of life, both personally and professionally.

This is a nice reminder that confidence does not always come early. It can take time, experience, and change in perspective. Hathaway’s story feels relatable because she talks openly about insecurity and growth instead of pretending everything was always perfect. What do you think about her being chosen as PEOPLE’s World’s Most Beautiful cover star for 2026? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.