HELLO!'s 2026 Power List revealed - featuring 16 of the most inspiring women over 40

Fresh off the high of an emotional, star-studded celebration in partnership with L'Oréal Paris at London's Mazarine restaurant, we are beyond thrilled to unveil HELLO!’s 2026 Power List - these are the phenomenal women leading the charge, taking up space, and refusing to settle in their Second Act.

Handpicked by HELLO! editors these trailblazers prove that reinvention isn't just possible in your 40s, 50s, and beyond; it’s where the real magic happens.

As part of our growing Second Act community, championing this glorious chapter is at the heart of everything we do. This list is more than an honour roll - it’s a high-octane celebration of the giant leaps forward women are taking to craft the exact future they want, on their own terms.

So grab a glass of something sparkling, soak in these extraordinary stories, and get ready to be inspired. Because if these icons prove anything, it’s that the world is finally falling in line behind us - and the best is, without a doubt, yet to come.

The HELLO! Power List for 2026

Tess Daly

After two decades as the golden, sparkling glue holding Britain’s Saturday nights together, Tess Daly did the ultimate power move: she hung up her Strictly microphone on her own terms to step boldly into her next chapter. Leaving prime-time television wasn't an easy decision but it was a grand-entrance pivot into full-blown entrepreneurship. 

Enter NAIA, the luxury resort-wear brand Tess co-founded to give women of all ages that golden-hour glow and unshakeable poolside confidence. Trading live broadcast chaos for sculpted swimsuits, Tess has smoothly morphed from Saturday night icon to high-end lifestyle mogul. She proves that midlife isn't about clinging to a familiar spotlight, but having the audacity to step away from a comfortable gig and build something for you. 

Carol Vorderman

The former numbers whiz of Countdown didn’t just step into her second act - she blew the doors off the building. Carol Vorderman has transformed from teatime TV darling into the nation’s undisputed queen of political accountability and midlife autonomy. Whether she’s taking power to task on social media, championing women’s financial independence, or rocking leather trousers that make 20-somethings weep, Vorderman is living proof that turning 60 isn’t about winding down; it’s about turning the volume up to maximum distortion. 

She rejects society’s outdated expectations of how a mature woman "should" dress, date, or speak, instead curating a life filled with joy, freedom, and zero compromise.

Katherine Ryan

Katherine Ryan is the undisputed comedy powerhouse who treats societal expectations like a minor inconvenience. Known for her razor-sharp stand-up routines, hit podcast, and effortless TV dominance, Katherine tackles modern womanhood, relationships, and ageing with a lethal combination of glamour and brutal honesty.

She’s the queen of saying the quiet parts out loud - whether detailing her refusal to settle for second best or dismantling patriarchal double standards, what makes Katherine essential to the Second Act vibe is her fierce independence and total lack of shame. 

She’s taught an entire generation of women that being "too much" is actually just enough, and that getting older means curating a life where your boundaries are high, your heels are higher, and your patience for mediocre men is precisely zero. With her trademark comedic bite and impeccably tailored suits, Katherine isn't just keeping up with the boys in entertainment - she’s running the floor, dropping truth bombs, and making us laugh until our mascara runs.

Andrea McLean

In a world that tells women to keep going no matter what, Andrea McLean dared to stop. The beloved TV presenter and former Loose Women star spent years being the woman who could juggle it all, until burnout, divorce and the upheaval of menopause forced her to confront a truth she had long been avoiding: sometimes the bravest thing you can do is choose yourself.

From becoming one of the most recognisable faces on daytime television to walking away from the career she had built, Andrea has turned her own second act into a mission to help other women do the same. Through her work as a wellbeing advocate, she champions boundaries, self-worth and the radical idea that you don't have to wait for your life to fall apart before you start changing it.

Now, with a refreshingly candid approach to midlife, Andrea radiates the kind of hard-won confidence that comes from knowing who you are – and being prepared to say no to what no longer serves you. Her message is simple but powerful: you are enough, your needs matter, and it's never too late to rewrite the rules of your life.

Kate Garraway

As one of Britain’s most beloved broadcasters, Kate Garraway has always brought warm, brilliant authority to Good Morning Britain. But in recent years, she became something even greater: a national beacon of hope, fierce courage, and unconditional love. Navigating the devastating public struggle with her late husband Derek’s health, Kate faced unthinkable grief under the glare of the media spotlight with a dignity that moved a nation to tears. 

Through her award-winning documentaries and tireless advocacy for unpaid carers, she turned personal grief into vital public awareness. Yet despite the weight she carries, Kate retains her signature warmth and infectious laughter. She reminds us that true strength isn't about putting up a tough front, but keeping your heart open even when life throws its worst at you.

Jo Good

Get quieter with age? No chance! Jo Good has spent her 70s turning the volume right up. The beloved broadcaster, actress and social media sensation – better known to her followers as MiddleAgedMinx – has made a career out of refusing to behave her age, from broadcasting on BBC Radio London to documenting her fashion, beauty and gloriously unfiltered life online.

But Jo’s greatest rebellion may be the way she has rewritten the rules of what a woman’s life is supposed to look like. Married, divorced, bereaved and happily child-free, she has embraced living alone not as a consolation prize, but as a source of freedom, independence and enormous fun. Her philosophy? Life doesn’t have to follow the script – and nor do you.

With her infectious energy, wicked sense of humour and fearless approach to fashion, beauty and ageing, Jo is proof that getting older doesn’t mean fading into the background. If anything, she’s only just getting started – and MiddleAgedMinx is here to make sure we all know it.

Katie Piper

Katie Piper is so much more than a survivor; she is a masterclass in rewriting a life story under fire. While an unimaginable crime in her twenties could have been the final word, Katie refused to let it even be a closing chapter. Instead, she took the narrative back with a steel-spined determination that commands nothing less than utter respect. She didn’t just rebuild her life; she built a visible, vibrant, and incredibly impactful empire, refusing to be hidden away.

Today, she's a definitive broadcasting powerhouse, an accomplished author, a Loose Women favourite, and the tireless driving force behind the Katie Piper Foundation, which revolutionised burns and scar care in the UK. 

Katie moves through the worlds of fashion, beauty, and charity with a polished, authentic grace, all while delivering zero-nonsense real talk on self-worth, identity, and the superficial nature of modern beauty standards. She cuts through self-help fluff with surgical precision, offering genuine, hard-won wisdom that resonates across generations. Grounded, fiercely intelligent, and owning every inch of her power, Katie doesn't just show us what resilience looks like—she defines it, reminding us that true beauty is found in the audacious spirit that refuses to be broken by what life throws at it.

Natalie Imbruglia

Almost three decades after Torn made her a global pop icon, Natalie Imbruglia is living her coolest era yet. Her triumph on The Masked Singer reminded everyone of that spectacular voice. With her album Algorithm, Natalie dived headfirst into a fresh, dance-infused pop era, proving that midlife creative energy is an absolute powerhouse. 

Off-stage, her life today is a masterclass in modern female independence. Choosing single motherhood via IVF to welcome her son, Max, she took total control of her personal narrative. She’s also been refreshingly candid about navigating perimenopause and mental health, refusing to hide behind a glossy celebrity veneer. Moving effortlessly between headlining festival stages, arena tours, and hands-on parenting, Natalie radiates a grounded, self-assured confidence.

Emily Maitlis

Emily Maitlis is British journalism’s premier heavy-hitter. Famous for her forensic interviewing - and that Prince Andrew television moment - Emily makes dismantling political spin look like a walk in the park. Her leap from traditional TV news to co-hosting The News Agents podcast showed brilliant instincts, building a top-charting media giant on her own terms. Sharp, stylish, and fiercely intelligent, Emily brings cool authority to modern political commentary. She shows that midlife is when your expertise, confidence, and voice hit their absolute peak performance.

Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath

As the chatelaine of Longleat, Emma Thynn made headlines as the UK’s first biracial marchioness, but anyone expecting a quiet life behind castle walls severely underestimated her. Emma has single-handedly injected high-fashion glamour and modern hustle into British heritage. Between hosting lions at home and walking runways for Dolce & Gabbana, she’s built a lifestyle empire with Emma’s Kitchen, served as a Vogue contributor, and conquered reality TV from Strictly to Ladies of London. But Emma’s real midlife power lies in how she uses her platform. 

After facing life-threatening health complications, she spoke openly about choosing surrogacy for her second son, sparking vital conversations about maternal health, modern family dynamics, and aristocratic succession. Moving seamlessly from red carpets at Cannes to hands-on conservation work at Longleat, Emma proves that being a modern aristocrat isn't about standing on tradition - it’s about breaking barriers in couture, owning your narrative, and running the estate like a total boss.

Judi Love

Judi Love can turn any room into a party within five seconds flat. From Loose Women to Strictly, Judi brings laugh-out-loud honesty and warmth to everything she touches. Whether tackling single parenting, midlife dating, or body image, she says out loud what women everywhere are thinking. Judi stands up for self-love, encouraging women to own their space, their curves, and their trajectory without apology. She’s sharp, fiercely funny, and deeply grounded - a bright reminder that life over 40 should be lived out loud and with plenty of laughs.

Jaime Winstone

Jaime Winstone brings a shot of pure rock-and-roll energy to British acting. Known for her gritty roles and distinct street style, Jaime has never bothered fitting into quiet, conventional boxes. As she navigates her nineties-kid-grown-up chapter, her creative edge is sharper than ever. Whether starring in indie dramas or turning heads on red carpets, or dancing on Strictly Come Dancing, Jaime stays fiercely true to her roots, proving that getting older doesn't mean swapping your individuality for something safe. She’s expressive, cool, and proof that attitude only improves with age.

Jenny Stoute

Jenny Stoute has spent her life knowing exactly what it means to be strong. The former Team GB sprinter competed at two Olympic Games, winning bronze in the 4x400m relay at Barcelona 1992, after collecting Commonwealth gold and silver medals for England. But for a generation of viewers, she became famous for an entirely different kind of sporting prowess: as Rebel, one of the fiercest Gladiators on British television.

Now 61, Jenny brings that same fire to midlife, with a refreshingly honest perspective on getting older, staying active and refusing to let a number define what your body – or your life – is capable of. Her own career has been marked by triumph, injury, reinvention and resilience, from running at the very highest level to becoming a mum and returning to the world of athletics.

Jenny is living proof that strength isn't something you leave behind when your competitive career ends. Sometimes it simply changes shape. And with the spirit of Rebel still very much intact, she's here to remind women that there's plenty of fight left in the second half of the game.

Mia Maugé

Mia Mauge didn't just embrace her natural silver curls in her fifties - she used them to shake up the fashion industry. Ditching a corporate career to step into modelling and content creation, Mia showed major brands that mature women are stylish, sophisticated, and commercially magnetic. With her killer wardrobe and calm, statuesque confidence, she’s become a key voice against ageism in fashion. Mia speaks directly to women who refuse to become invisible as the years pass, offering sharp commentary on style, self-worth, and personal freedom. She makes growing older look like the most stylish promotion you could ever get.

Melanie Blatt

As the ultimate low-key cool girl of nineties pop, Melanie Blatt taught a generation of us how to rock combat trousers and a crop top. But in her fifties, Mel is giving an even better lesson: how to live life completely on your own terms, with zero interest in fake showbiz gloss.

While pop nostalgia always beckons, Mel keeps her eyes firmly on the present. Whether making it to the final of Celebrity MasterChef, trekking across the globe with her mum on Celebrity Race Across the World, or tearing up DJ booths at summer festivals, she brings a refreshingly dry wit and effortless charm to everything she touches. 

Lorraine Pascale

Lorraine Pascale has lived several extraordinary lives - first as a global supermodel, then as a bestselling TV chef. But her most meaningful pivot came when she stepped away from the spotlight to earn a master’s degree in psychology. Today, Lorraine focuses on mental health, self-compassion, and emotional well-being, helping women navigate major life transitions. Lorraine shows that success isn't about staying in one lane, but having the courage to evolve whenever your heart tells you to.