9 Must-Read Memoirs and Biographies of Celebrated Women in 2025

Strong, weak, independent, vulnerable, yet utterly unparalleled. The memoirs and biographies of celebrated women not only reflect their unique life stories but also serve as an incredible source of inspiration. Here are 9 books by women for women that will resonate with you.

1. Diana: Her True Story in Her Own Words

She knew she would never be queen, and she always wanted to be herself. She dreamed of being the queen of people’s hearts, and her dream came true. She is Lady Diana Spencer, the Princess of Wales, one of the most captivating figures of the 20th century, a style icon, and a disruptor of the House of Windsor’s tranquility. Six years before her tragic death, Diana dared to give a series of candid interviews for Andrew Morton’s book, revealing the truth about herself to the world.

2. Monica Bellucci: Who Will Forgive My Beauty

People can forgive a person for their intelligence, even their talent, but never for their beauty. Born in a provincial Italian town, Monica Bellucci has always been strikingly beautiful. This was not always met with understanding, so Monica often had to prove that she was more than just a pretty face—she was intelligent and talented.

3. Marilyn: Passion and Paradox

She was a mystery that no one ever solved. Simultaneously simple and complex, she became an icon and remains one to this day. Over half a century has passed since Marilyn Monroe left this world, but the light of her star continues to shine. Millions of viewers worldwide rewatch her films and countless photographs, while hundreds of researchers grapple with the enigma of her extraordinary success and global popularity.

4. Madonna: A Rebel Life

USA, early 1980s. Madonna burst onto the music scene and conquered the country with her freedom and stunning talent. With a leather jacket, a rhinestone belt, leather cowboy hot pants, and the question, “Do you like to boogie-woogie, do you like my acid rock?” Against the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic, Madonna brought the topic of homosexual orientation to the forefront, fiercely defending the right of individuals to love whoever they choose and be whoever they want to be.

5. My Love Story

The queen of rock ‘n’ roll, American singer, and actress Tina Turner tells the story of her personal life—from the darkest to the happiest days. This book is dedicated to her relationship with her second husband, Erwin Bach. Her beloved saved her life by becoming her kidney donor. It’s a story about a woman who never broke and overcame all obstacles in her path.

6. Munkey Diaries

I had a choice—to write about it or explode inside. I chose to write. Intimate diaries of the cult actress, singer, songwriter, and model Jane Birkin. The book tells the story of Jane’s tumultuous life with her first husband, composer John Barry, and her romantic and professional collaboration with Gainsbourg, offering a deep insight into the life of an actress, singer, and songwriter.

7. Golda Meir: A Life Story

The life story of Golda Meir is a remarkable Cinderella tale. Born into a poor Jewish family that endured two emigrations, she sequentially became an ambassador, a minister, and then the head of government of a sovereign state. Her father was a simple carpenter, and she became the third woman in modern history to head a cabinet of ministers of a sovereign state.

8. Overcoming Pain: Memoirs of Courage and Triumph

Oksana Masters is one of the most decorated para-athletes in the history of world sports, born in Ukraine. Due to congenital developmental defects caused by the Chernobyl disaster, her biological parents abandoned her at birth. When Oksana turned eight, she was adopted by an American, Gay Masters. These memoirs are a true and incredibly inspiring story of overcoming life’s toughest challenges and excruciating pain through sheer willpower and maternal love.

9. Loving Amy

Perhaps the most talented artist of her generation, Amy Winehouse died tragically young at the age of 27. Amy’s mother, Janis, knew her like no one else. In these warm, sharp, and sometimes wild memories, she reveals the full story of her daughter, whom she loved. While the world watched the rise of a superstar and then the fall of a drug addict to her untimely death, Janis simply saw her Amy.

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