Actress SofIa Vergara of the television show "Modern Family" poses on arrival at the 18th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California January 29, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Sofia Vergara has been voted the "Most Desirable Woman in the World".

The 'Modern Family' star - who will be 40 in July - is the oldest person to win the title in AskMen.com's Top 99 Most Desirable Women in the World list after beating off competition from the likes of Rihanna and Kim Kardashian.

The brunette beauty said in a statement: "I am so honored to be AskMen's most desired woman this year. A big thank you to all the men who desire me."

More than one million votes were cast for the survey, which featured 11 of the honourees aged at least 35 or older, with 49-year-old Demi Moore the eldest in the list.

James Bassil, editor-in-chief of the website, said: "I think it has a lot to do with the broadening profile of internet users, who are varying more and more in both age and background.

"I also think a lot of guys are surprised to hear Sofia's [almost] 40, because she doesn't look it."

American model-and-actress Kate Upton was voted runner-up, while 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' actress Rooney Mara was in third, followed by Miranda Kerr and Nicki Minaj respectively.

Other stars to make up the list included singers Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce, as well as actresses Zooey Deschanel and flame-haired beauty Emma Stone.

AskMen.com Top 99 Most Desirable Women in the World, top 10:

1 Sofia Vergara

2 Kate Upton

3 Rooney Mara

4 Miranda Kerr

5 Nicki Minaj

6 Emma Stone

7 Scarlett Johansson

8 Kim Kardashian

9 Rihanna

10 Candice Swanepoel