Quotes from Joan Collins

I used to not be confident. My father certainly didn't add to my confidence. When I was 17 or 18, I was voted the most beautiful girl in England by the association of press photographers. When they called Daddy for a comment, he said, 'I'm amazed. She's a nice looking girl, but nothing special.'

I do think it's very important, if you're going to spend the rest of your life with somebody, to know that you really like them. Because when the pheromones wear off, which of course they will, you have to have a strong basis.

If you eat junk, you look like junk. People say, 'It's not my fault, it's my glands.' It's not; it's greed!

Dynasty was the opportunity to take charge of my career rather than waiting around like a library book waiting to be loaned out.

I say, 'Use it or lose it.' I have my own fitness regime, which is centred around stretching, free-weights and fast walking. I also have a trainer half of the year, as I spend my summers in the south of France where I swim a lot.

I like to remember phone numbers because it keeps your brain active. If you don't use it, you lose it.

I'm a bit shy, I suppose, and a bit lazy.

I've never yet met a man who could look after me. I don't need a husband. What I need is a wife.

I was voted the most beautiful girl in the world in 1958, and courted by every young, available man in Los Angeles, most of whom I didn't go out with, by the way.

I have a lot of male friends that I go the cinema with and movie and shopping. A lot of men friends I know love shopping.

In fact, the 20th century I think was the most fascinating century and the whole of man civilization because so much happened.

I don't believe in vitamin pills. I swear by men, darling-and as many as possible.

You can't help getting older, but you can help yourself from becoming old and infirm, in mind as well as body.

If I hear the word 'retire,' it makes me want to throw up. And then do what? Sit around all day watching television?

I am a fan of marriage and a fan of being committed to the right person.

Certainly there are dozens of over-50 actresses who look great: Sophia Loren, Susan Sarandon, Ursula Andress, Stefanie Powers, Raquel Welch, Barbara Eden, Joanna Lumley, Linda Gray - the list is endless, and these are just the actresses! I have many friends in their 60s, 70s and 80s, not in the limelight, but who all look absolutely stunning.

My mother was a domestic goddess and Mother Earth figure. She was sweet and placid - just what the perfect wife was supposed to be and I was determined not to be.

Every woman should wear make-up. It takes years off. I'm wearing lots of false eyelashes today, and to me, lipstick is the best cosmetic that exists.

The easiest way to convince my kids that they don't really need something is to get it for them.

Doing 20 minutes of stretching, light weights and floor exercises three times a week takes the same amount of time as a long coffee break - and eating a tuna fish salad, sardines on toast or scrambled eggs is surely preferable to a Big Mac or KFC.

I think dieting is bad for you.

I've spent years when I've not been in the limelight at all and I'm perfectly happy living my life without being swooped on by paparazzi.

But I have had to give up certain things in my life. One is shopping. Two is lunch with the girls. Three is cocktail parties, and four is studying my lines.

I'm extremely happy in my life. I consider myself to be very blessed.