Raquel Welch, born Jo Raquel Tejada on September 5, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois, was an American actress who became an international sex symbol. She moved to San Diego, California, with her family at the age of two. Her mother was of English descent, and her father was a Bolivian aeronautical engineer.

Her early life was marked by her passion for ballet, although she was told her body type wasn't right for it. She later pursued a career in acting and modeling.

Raquel Welch first gained attention for her role in the 1966 film "Fantastic Voyage," after which she signed a long-term contract with 20th Century Fox. She became an international sensation with her role in "One Million Years B.C." (1966), where she wore a doe-skin bikini that became a bestselling poster.

Her career spanned several decades, and she starred in numerous films, including "Bedazzled" (1967), "Bandolero!" (1968), "100 Rifles" (1969), "Myra Breckinridge" (1970), "Hannie Caulder" (1971), "Kansas City Bomber" (1972), "The Three Musketeers" (1973), "The Wild Party" (1975), and "Mother, Jugs & Speed" (1976).

She also made several television variety specials.

Throughout her career, Raquel Welch was known for her portrayal of strong female characters, helping her break the mold of the traditional sex symbol.

She won a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical or Comedy in 1974 for her performance as Constance Bonacieux in "The Three Musketeers" and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Film for her performance in "Right to Die" (1987). Her final film was "How to Be a Latin Lover" (2017).

Raquel Welch was married four times and had two children. Her marriages included James Welch (1959-1964), Patrick Curtis (1967-1972), Andrè Weinfeld (1980-1990), and Richie Palmer (1999-2004).

She was known for her fitness and exercise regimen, which included yoga, Pilates, and strength training. Raquel Welch passed away on February 15, 2023, at the age of 82 in Los Angeles, California.

She was chosen by Empire magazine as one of the "100 Sexiest Stars in Film History" in 1995 and ranked No. 3 on Playboy's "100 Sexiest Stars of the Twentieth Century" list. Her autobiography, "Raquel: Beyond the Cleavage," explores her childhood, marriages, children, and career from a pageant winner to a sex symbol.