Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian who is regarded as one of the most elegant and admired film stars of the twentieth century. She won an Academy Award for her performance in Roman Holiday and was later honoured for her work with UNICEF.

Early Life

Hepburn was born in 1929 in Brussels to a British father and a Dutch aristocrat. She suffered from malnutrition during the Second World War in the German-occupied Netherlands.

She studied ballet in Amsterdam and in London. She worked as a model and appeared in small film roles.

She was cast in the Broadway production of Gigi and was noticed by the film director William Wyler.

The Film Career

Hepburn won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Roman Holiday in 1953. She starred with Gregory Peck in the romantic comedy.

She appeared in a series of successful films, including Sabrina, Funny Face, and Breakfast at Tiffany's. The latter is one of her most famous roles.

She worked with leading directors and actors, including Fred Astaire and Cary Grant. She was known for her style and for her grace.

Style and Fashion

Hepburn's style was distinctive and influential. She worked with the designer Hubert de Givenchy, who created many of her most famous costumes.

Her look combined simplicity with elegance. She popularised the little black dress, the flat shoe, and the pixie cut.

She is regarded as a fashion icon and has influenced subsequent generations of designers and of actors. Her style is studied and imitated.

Later Career and Personal Life

Hepburn appeared in fewer films in the later part of her career. She starred in My Fair Lady, Two for the Road, and Wait Until Dark.

She was married to Mel Ferrer and to Andrea Dotti and had two sons. She lived in Switzerland and in Italy.

She withdrew from acting for much of the 1970s. She returned to film in the 1980s with roles in They All Laughed and Always.

Humanitarian Work

Hepburn became a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF in 1988. She travelled to Ethiopia, Sudan, Bangladesh, and other countries.

She worked to raise awareness of the needs of children in developing countries. She testified before the United States Congress on behalf of the organisation.

She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her humanitarian work. She continued to work despite her declining health.

Death and Legacy

Hepburn died in 1993 at her home in Switzerland from cancer. She was buried in the village of Tolochenaz.

Her films remain popular and are regarded as classics. She is remembered for her talent, for her style, and for her humanitarianism.

The Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund continues her work. She is regarded as one of the most beloved actresses in the history of film.

The Early Films

Hepburn began her career in British films, including The Lavender Hill Mob and Secret People. She also appeared in the stage production of Gigi.

She was cast in Roman Holiday after a screen test. The film was a success and won her the Academy Award.

She appeared in Sabrina and in War and Peace. The films established her as a leading actress.

The Later Films

Hepburn starred in Funny Face, The Nun's Story, and Breakfast at Tiffany's. The latter is one of her most famous films.

She appeared in Charade and in My Fair Lady. The latter was a musical adaptation of Pygmalion.

She took fewer roles in the later part of her career. She appeared in Robin and Marian and in They All Laughed.

The Style and the Fashion

Hepburn's style was simple and elegant. She worked with Givenchy on many of her costumes.

She popularised the little black dress and the flat shoe. Her look has been imitated by many fashion designers.

She is regarded as a fashion icon. The Audrey Hepburn look is studied and reproduced.

The Humanitarian Work

Hepburn became a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF in 1988. She travelled to Ethiopia and to Sudan during the famines.

She worked to raise awareness of the needs of children. She testified before the United States Congress.

She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work. The Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund continues her legacy.

The Legacy

Hepburn is regarded as one of the most beloved actresses of the twentieth century. Her films remain popular.

She is remembered for her style and for her humanitarianism. Her image is associated with elegance and with compassion.

The American Film Institute named her one of the greatest female stars of the classical Hollywood cinema. Her influence on fashion and on culture is lasting.

The Ballet Training

Hepburn trained as a ballet dancer in Amsterdam and in London. She studied with Sonia Gaskell and with Marie Rambert.

The training gave her a grace and a posture that distinguished her performances. The experience of hunger during the war affected her health and her growth.

She used her dance training in musicals, including Funny Face and My Fair Lady. The dance numbers are among her most celebrated performances.

The Awards

Hepburn won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Roman Holiday. She was nominated for several other Academy Awards.

She received the Tony Award for her performance in Ondine. She won the BAFTA and the Golden Globe awards.

She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. The honours recognised her film and her humanitarian work.

The UNICEF Tours

Hepburn travelled to Ethiopia, Sudan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Somalia as an ambassador for UNICEF. She documented the conditions of the children in these countries.

She raised funds and awareness for the organisation. She testified before the United States Congress on the needs of children in developing countries.

The tours were demanding and contributed to her declining health. She continued to work despite her illness.

The Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund continues her work. Her humanitarianism is part of her legacy.

See also

• Roman Holiday
• UNICEF