This specification discloses a magneto-optical recording medium in which on the opposite side of a second magnetic layer having a relatively low curie temperature and a relatively great coercive force, there are laminated a first magnetic layer and a third magnetic layer each having a relatively high curie temperature and a relatively small coercive force as compared with the second magnetic layer, the second magnetic layer has its curie temperature varying in the direction of film thickness thereof and has a curie temperature T.sub.L1 near the interface thereof with the first magnetic layer and has a curie temperature T.sub.L3 near the interface thereof with the third magnetic layer, and T.sub.L1 .noteq.T.sub.L3, and the first magnetic layer, the second magnetic layer and the third magnetic layer are coupled together at room temperature by the exchange interaction therebetween and a state in which the direction of magnetization of the first magnetic layer and the direction of magnetization of the third magnetic layer are anti-parallel to each other is a stable state. The specification also discloses a magneto-optical recording method using such magneto-optical recording medium.