In case you missed it, it was International Women’s month in March, and it got me thinking about female role models and how Cleopatra, born in 69 BC, was the ultimate role model, a woman well ahead of her time.
Cleopatra had an undeniable effect on those around her. As the famous quote states:
“Although she wasn’t conventionally beautiful, Cleopatra was brilliant to look upon and listen to, she had an innate power to captivate everyone, she was simply irresistible…”
As the last Egyptian Pharaoh, she ruled with intelligence and strategy. Initially co-ruling with her father, she later dethroned her 10-year-old brother with the help of Julius Caesar, with whom she had a legendary romance. After Caesar’s assassination, her love story with Mark Antony became one of history’s most famous. Antony’s devotion ran so deep that upon hearing false news of her death, he took his own life, unable to imagine living without her.
But Cleopatra was far more than just her relationships. She shattered expectations, proving that women could lead with both intellect and strength. She spoke nine languages, studied philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy, and ruled with a vision that was ahead of her time. She refused to conform to societal norms, embracing her femininity as a source of power rather than a limitation.
She was also deeply spiritual, believing herself to be the reincarnation of the goddess Isis, the revered goddess of women and the moon. While she wasn’t conventionally beautiful, her unique style, charisma, and grace made her unforgettable.
Cleopatra remains the ultimate female role model—fearless, strategic, and unapologetically herself. Her story proves that intelligence, charisma, and determination outweigh mere physical beauty. She was more than a queen—she was a force of nature whose legacy still inspires women today.
My clients who attend my course often leave with this thought: when in doubt, ask yourself not what would Nisha do, but what would Cleopatra do? Even I find myself asking the same question. Could there be a more powerful role model than that?
Nisha x