Audrey Hepburn

Tropenmuseum Royal Tropical Institute Objectnumber 60038552 Een gezelschap met gouverneur Van Hee

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Audrey Hepburn screentest in Roman Holiday trailer

Holden-Hepburn-Sabrina

Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer 1955

Audrey Hepburn - Studio Portrait (1957)

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Audrey Hepburn Tiffany's

Audrey Hepburn (4 May 1929 – 20 January 1993) was a British actress and humanitarian. Recognized as a film and fashion icon, Hepburn was active during Hollywood's Golden Age. She was ranked by the American Film Institute as the third-greatest female screen legend in Golden Age Hollywood and was inducted into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame.

Early Life

Born Audrey Kathleen Ruston in Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium, Hepburn spent her childhood between Belgium, England, and the Netherlands. In addition to her British citizenship, she held citizenship from Belgium through her father. Her father, Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston, was of British and Austrian descent, and her mother, Baroness Ella van Heemstra, was a Dutch noblewoman. Hepburn's parents divorced when she was young, and she was primarily raised by her mother. The impact of the World War II on Hepburn and her family was profound. During the war, they struggled with the consequences of the Nazi occupation, including malnutrition.

Career

Hepburn made her film debut in the educational travel film Dutch in Seven Lessons (1948). Her breakout role came in the Broadway play Gigi (1951), after being spotted by French novelist Colette. Hepburn's Hollywood debut was the lead role in Roman Holiday (1953), for which she was the first actress to win an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA Award for a single performance. That same year, Hepburn won a Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Play for her performance in Ondine.

Her subsequent successful films included Sabrina (1954), The Nun's Story (1959), Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), Charade (1963), My Fair Lady (1964), and Wait Until Dark (1967). For her performance in The Nun's Story, Hepburn received her second Academy Award nomination, and for Breakfast at Tiffany's and Wait Until Dark, she received her third and fourth Academy Award nominations, respectively.

Humanitarian Work

Later in life, Hepburn focused on her work as a humanitarian. She was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF. Her efforts to raise awareness and funds for the organization were internationally recognized. Hepburn's field missions took her to Latin America, Africa, and Asia, where she visited UNICEF projects, often in physically demanding conditions. Hepburn's dedication to her humanitarian work was such that she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of her efforts.

Personal Life

Hepburn was married twice, first to actor Mel Ferrer and then to Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti. She had two sons, Sean Ferrer and Luca Dotti. Hepburn's style, elegance, and grace made her a fashion icon, with her partnership with French fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy being particularly notable.

Death

Audrey Hepburn died of appendiceal cancer on 20 January 1993 at her home in Switzerland, at the age of 63. Her legacy as an actress and a humanitarian continues to be celebrated.

Legacy

Hepburn's influence as a style icon and actress is still felt today. She remains a significant figure in the world of fashion and film, and her work with UNICEF has inspired many to pursue humanitarian efforts.