Audrey was born May 4, 1929 in Brussels, Belgium. Audrey, and only child, was daughter to Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston, and Ella van Heemstra. She had 2 half-brothers from hermother's first marriage.
Audrey's family often traveled between Belgium, England, and the Netherlands when she was a child. She went to school in England. Her parents divorced in 1935. He remained detached after that. In 1939, she moved to her grandfather's home in the Netherlands with her mother and brothers.
Audrey attended the Arnhem Conservatory from 1939-1945, and was trained in ballet, along with standard school classes. For a time, she used the fake name Edda van Heemstra. In 1945, she moved to Amsterdam and took ballet lessons. She worked part-time as a model. Audrey was unable to become a prima ballerina because she was too tall, and her poor nutrition from the war. This ended her ballet career.
Audrey's first film was Dutch in Seven Lessons(1948). On the set for Monte Carlo Baby, the author Colette came on set and chose Audrey to play the main role in Gigi. This launched Audrey's career; she starred in 28 movies, most notably Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Funny Face, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and My Fair Lady.
Audrey was engaged in 1952 to James Hanson, but broke it off. She was married to Mel Ferrer from 1954-1968 and Andrea Dotti from 1969-1982. She had two boys(Sean Hepburn Ferrer, born July 17,1960, and Luca Dotti, born February 8, 1970),one with each of her spouses. She was romantically involved with Robert Wolders from 1980 to her death.
Hepburn won 2 Oscars, 4 BAFTAs, 1 Emmy, 3 Golden Globe Awards, 1 Grammy, 1 Screen Actors Guild Award, and 1 Tony, during her career!
Audrey was a generous contributor to UNICEF, and was also known as a huminatarian.
Audrey was good friends with Richard Peck, Hubert de Givenchy, Shirley MacLaine, Eva Gabor, Capucine, and A.J. Cronin.
" The most important thing is to enjoy your life-to be hapy-its all that matters."
Audrey loved animals; she had, during her life, Ip, a deer(above), two Yorkies, Mr.Famous and Assam of Assam, and later in her life, two Jack Russells.
Audrey died of appendiceal cancer in her home in Switzerland at the age of 63. She is buried at the Tolochenaz Cemetary, in Tolochenaz, Switzerland.
Hugs & Best Wishes,
Lizzie
