Audrey Hepburn, being one of the most popular box-office attractions, has done a series of successful films in her career. Some of her best performances were seen in movies naming, Charade, Paris When it Sizzles, The Children’s Hour, How to Steal a Million and Two for the Road, and My Fair Lady.

Family Background

Born on the 4th of May in 1929 in Brussels, Belgium, Audrey Hepburn was born a film and fashion icon. Her parents Ella van Heemstra and Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston got married in 1926. The young Audrey had to travel a lot owing to her father’s job. Due to this, she picked up 5 different languages including Dutch, English, French, Spanish and Italian. When she was just 6 years old, her father dumped the family and divorced her mother in 1939. From 1939 to 1945, Audrey and her mother lived in the Netherlands where she took ballet lessons. When the Germans invaded the Netherlands, she changed her name and also moved to Velp to live with her grandfather.  This was one of the toughest phases of her life. She used to give ‘underground concerts’ to raise money, deliver newspapers and taking messages and food to downed Allied flyers. With the ending of the war in 1945, she shifted to Amsterdam and began her ballet training again.

Movies

‘Dutch in Seven Lessons’ marked her debut film in the year 1948. She got her first starring role in Roman Holiday in 1953. Her talent, charm, and innocence got her a movie with Gregory Peck which was a box-office hit. She has done many stage shows also in the span of her career. One of the life-changing movies for her was ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. The character played by her is one of the best known in American cinema. Her dress that she wore during the opening credits is considered an icon of the twentieth century.

Awards

She added many feathers to her cap. The awards she has received in her career include the Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, Tony Award, and a Golden Globe Award, Grammy, Emmy Award, and Humanitarian Award. She was named the “Most Beautiful of all Time” and the “Most Beautiful Woman of the 20th century”.

Personal Life

Audrey had several relationships she got engaged to James Hanson but didn’t marry him. She got married to the American actor Mel Ferrer and gave birth to their son in 1960. The two got divorced in 1968, and the next year she married Andrea Dotti, an Italian Psychiatrist. She again divorced him, and she got into a relationship with the Dutch actor Robert Wolders. She said that she has been the happiest with this man and stayed in a relationship with him until she died.

She was diagnosed with a rare form of abdominal cancer in 1992 but she fought with it with courage. She spent her last days in hospice care at her home in Tolochenaz and died on 20 January 1993.

Comeback

In 1967, she decided to take a back seat and spend quality time with her family. She acted only occasionally. Her comeback piece was Robin and Marian, in 1976 followed by Bloodline in 1979. Her last starring role in a feature film was They All Laughed in 1981. ‘Gardens of the World’ was filmed in 1990 and was aired after her death on 21 January 1993.

Also Read: All About Sophia Loren

Another Side of Her Personality

Along with being a glamorous person, she was a humble human being who cared for people and their lives. She has done several projects for UNICEF. She was also appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF. She was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then US President George H.W. Bush.  She also received Humanitarian Award for her contribution to humanity.

It is true to say that Audrey Hepburn’s legacy lives on. Her work, contribution, and achievements are acknowledged by people even today. She was named third among the Greatest Female Stars of All Times by the American Film Institute and was included in the International Best Dressed List. She will always remain in people’s hearts and will be remembered for her grace and charm.