The awards - held at London's Banqueting House in Whitehall - honoured achievements by those deemed Britain's ultimate celebrities as well as real-life women's achievements.
Britney Spears won Ultimate Comeback Star, while Sugababes were given the Ultimate Mistresses of Music award and R 'n' B singer Estelle was awarded the Ultimate Believe In Your Talent prize.
Other winners included Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who were crowned the Ultimate Couple, Kate Hudson who was named Ultimate Film Actress and singer Alesha Dixon who received the Ultimate Confidence Queen accolade.
Alesha told BANG Showbiz: "I'd much rather win this than some 'most beautiful' poll. I wanted to come because what it represents for women is fantastic. I love anything that celebrates women. I won a very lovely, fun award but to sit and listen to the more serious awards made for quite an emotional night."
British TV presenter Fearne Cotton hosted the show for the third time, which also saw swimmer Rebecca Adlington receive an award for her double Olympic Gold medal win earlier this year.
Cosmopolitan's Ultimate Women of the Year 2008 awards, full list of winners:/B>
Ultimate Icon: Kim Cattrall
Ultimate Fun Fearless Females: Girls Aloud
Ultimate TV Presenter: Myleene Klass
Ultimate Mistresses of Music: Sugababes
Ultimate Believe In Your Talent Star: Estelle
Ultimate Confidence Queen (Olay award): Alesha Dixon
Ultimate Hottie: Gethin Jones
Ultimate Sports Superhero: Rebecca Adlington
Ultimate Celeb Man: Gok Wan
Ultimate TV Actress: America Ferrera
Ultimate Film Actress: Kate Hudson
Ultimate Comeback Star: Britney Spears
Ultimate Couple: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie