Recent research by Professor Joan Taylor from King's College London sheds light on the true appearance of Mary Magdalene, challenging popular Western portrayals. Rather than the youthful and glamorous figure often depicted in art and film, Mary was likely an 'everywoman' of the eastern Mediterranean, with olive-brown skin, dark features, and a height of around 4 feet 8 inches. Facial reconstructions based on supposed relics suggest she may have had a pointed nose, high cheekbones, and a round face, though the authenticity of these remains is uncertain.

Mary's clothing would have consisted of a long, brightly colored tunic, a mantle, and a headscarf, reflecting the styles of her time and region. She probably wore sandals and kept her long, dark hair braided and bound up. Unlike wealthier women of the era, Mary likely did not wear jewelry or accessories, in line with early Christian values and her life as a disciple. Her age remains unknown, but she was not a child, as she had resources to support Jesus's work. This new perspective offers a more historically accurate image of Mary Magdalene, distinct from the romanticized versions seen in Western culture.