Audrey
Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was born Audrey Kathleen Ruston on 4 May 1929 in Ixelles, Brussels. The daughter of a British banker and a Dutch baroness, she spent much of her childhood in the Netherlands, where she...
Audrey remembered.
Audrey Hepburn was born Audrey Kathleen Ruston on 4 May 1929 in Ixelles, Brussels. The daughter of a British banker and a Dutch baroness, she spent much of her childhood in the Netherlands, where she endured the German occupation during World War II — an experience that marked her for life and kindled a devotion to humanitarian work that would define her final decades.
After the war she moved to London to study ballet, then began her career in West End chorus lines and small film parts. A chance encounter with French novelist Colette led to her being cast in the Broadway production of Gigi in 1951, and Hollywood followed almost immediately. Her very first leading film role — as Princess Ann in Roman Holiday (1953) — earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. She remains one of the few performers ever to have won an Oscar, Emmy, Tony, and Grammy.
Her performances in Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Charade, and My Fair Lady made her one of cinema's most enduring presences. Her partnership with designer Hubert de Givenchy helped define a new idea of elegance — one rooted in restraint, wit, and an almost complete absence of vanity.
In her later years Hepburn stepped away from acting almost entirely and devoted herself to UNICEF, serving as a Goodwill Ambassador and traveling to Ethiopia, Sudan, El Salvador, Bangladesh, and Somalia to draw attention to the suffering of children in crisis. She called it the greatest role of her life. In 1992 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for this work.
She died on 20 January 1993 at her home in Tolochenaz, Switzerland, of appendiceal cancer. She was 63.
A life in moments.
Born in Ixelles, Brussels
Audrey Kathleen Ruston is born to a British banker and a Dutch baroness. She will spend her early years moving between England, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Childhood under German occupation
Germany invades the Netherlands. Audrey, 11, witnesses the suffering first-hand in Arnhem. She later said the war never left her — it was why, decades later, she could not say no to a child in need.
Moves to London to study ballet
After the war she relocates to London and studies under Marie Rambert. Though she loves dance, she is eventually told she is too tall for a classical career. She turns to musical theatre instead.
Broadway debut in Gigi
French novelist Colette personally selects Audrey for the title role in the Broadway adaptation of Gigi after spotting her in a hotel lobby in Monte Carlo. The production runs for 219 performances.
Roman Holiday — and the Oscar
Her first leading film role wins her the Academy Award for Best Actress. She is the only performer in history to win an Oscar for a debut leading role. Hollywood has never seen anything quite like her.
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Holly Golightly becomes one of cinema's most enduring characters. The film, and the little black Givenchy dress, define a new standard of elegance — one that has nothing to do with wealth and everything to do with feeling.
Named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
She travels to Ethiopia, Sudan, El Salvador, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Somalia — not to be photographed, but to bear witness. She called it the most important work of her life. "I can testify to what UNICEF means to children," she said, "because I was one of those children."
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
President George H.W. Bush presents her with the United States' highest civilian honour for her decade of humanitarian work. She accepts it quietly, as she had always done everything.
Died peacefully at home in Switzerland
Audrey Hepburn dies at her home, La Paisible, in Tolochenaz, surrounded by family. She was 63. Her son Sean Ferrer later wrote that she died as she had lived — with extraordinary grace, and in the middle of a sentence about the garden.
The people they loved,
and the people who loved them.
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Photographs
kept by the family.
For the record.
- Born
- May 4, 1929 · Ixelles, Brussels
- Died
- January 20, 1993 · Tolochenaz, Switzerland
- Age at passing
- 63