Elizabeth Hurley (born Elizabeth Jane Hurley on 10 June 1965 in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England) is a British actress, model and businesswoman who has been active in entertainment since 1987. She is best known as Vanessa Kensington in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) and as the longtime face of Estée Lauder, a role she has held since 1995. At 61, Hurley remains a fixture of Hollywood news, from her acting roles to reports of her engagement to Billy Ray Cyrus.
Read on for Hurley's age, early life, career highlights, movies, recent news and personal life. Fans of Hollywood stars may also enjoy our Emma Stone biography and Gal Gadot biography.
Early Life
Elizabeth Jane Hurley was born on 10 June 1965 in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England. She began her screen career in the late 1980s and has worked as an actress, model and businesswoman from 1987 to the present day.
Career
Hurley's modelling breakthrough came in 1995, when she became the face of Estée Lauder at the age of 29 — her first modelling job — and she has represented the beauty brand ever since.
On screen, her best-known roles are Vanessa Kensington in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), a role she reprised in the 1999 sequel, and the Devil in Bedazzled (2000). Her other film credits include Passenger 57 (1992). On television, she played Queen Helena in the E! drama The Royals (2015–2018), Diana Payne in season 5 of Gossip Girl (2011), and Morgan le Fay in Marvel's Runaways (2019). In 2024, she starred in and produced Strictly Confidential alongside her son Damian.
Hurley also made fashion history at the 1994 premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral, where the black Versace dress she wore — held together with gold safety pins — made headlines around the world.
Recent News
In October 2026, Hurley made headlines over reports of her engagement to country star Billy Ray Cyrus, her partner since 2025. According to reports published on October 27–28, the couple are moving in together in Los Angeles while Hurley films season 2 of The 'Burbs. Neither star has publicly confirmed the move-in reports. Read the full story in Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley engaged.
Personal Life
Hurley was in a long-term relationship with actor Hugh Grant from 1987 to 2000. She is the mother of son Damian Charles Hurley, born in April 2002. She was married to businessman Arun Nayar from 2007 to 2011. Since 2025, she has been in a relationship with country singer Billy Ray Cyrus.
Watch the Official Video
Watch the original theatrical trailer of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), Hurley's breakthrough role, from Warner Bros. Rewind:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How old is Elizabeth Hurley?
A: She was born on 10 June 1965, which makes her 61 years old as of October 2026.
Q: What is she best known for?
A: Her best-known roles are Vanessa Kensington in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) and the Devil in Bedazzled (2000), along with being the face of Estée Lauder since 1995.
Q: Is she engaged to Billy Ray Cyrus?
A: According to reports from October 2026, Cyrus has proposed to Hurley after the couple went public with their relationship in 2025, though neither of them has publicly confirmed the engagement.
Q: What is her modeling career?
A: Hurley became the face of Estée Lauder in 1995 at the age of 29 — her first modelling job — and she has represented the brand ever since. She is also remembered for her iconic 1994 Versace safety-pin dress.
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