Kate Ritchie Leads WHO's Most Beautiful People of 2014

First look! Actress Kate Ritchie shows off her baby bump for the first time as she headline's WHO's annual Most Beautiful People list for 2014.

Five months pregnant with her first child, Kate Ritchie has opened up to WHO about the joy of pregnancy and why she feels ready to embrace motherhood.

“The gift of being able to carry a child is beautiful,” says the twice Gold Logie-winning actress and Nova presenter, who shows off her baby bump for the first time in an exclusive WHO shoot.

“It’s happened exactly when it was meant to happen. Becoming a mother will be a wonderful bonus to who I already am.”

The former Home and Away star, 35, who was shot on location at a private residence in Kurrajong, NSW, leads a stunning gallery of home-grown stars and international A-listers in WHO's annual Most Beautiful People issue. And while Ritchie is "not under any false illusions" about the challenges of parenthood, she's confident that her next life chapter has come at the right time.

"Since leaving the comfort of a job I adored on the Seven Network's Home and Away I've learnt a great deal about myself," reveals the Vaseline ambassador. "I'm glad I had that opportunity before embarking on motherhood."

Both from large families, Ritchie and her husband, NRL player-turned-chef Stuart Webb, are hoping their dream to have "lots of kids running around in a backyard somewhere" will eventually be fulfilled. But for now, it's all about their feeling the joy of her first pregnancy. "I just feel blessed," she says.

To see who else made this year's list of the Most Beautiful People of 2014, pick up this week's WHO Magazine - on sale now!