Let Me Google It: Audrey Hepburn

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Full Name: Audrey Kathleen Ruston

Date of Birth: May 4, 1929

Date of Death: January 20, 1993

Country: Belgium

Occupation: Model, Actress

Other Interests: Humanitarian, UNICEF

Hair Color: Dark Brown

Eye Color: Dark Brown

Height: 5'7

Audrey Hepburn's Family Tree

Paternal Grandparents

Victor John George Ruston

Anna Juliana Franziska Karolina Ruston

Parents

Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston

Ella Van Heemstra

Audrey's Husbands

Mel Ferrar (Mar. 1961, Div. 1968)

Andrea Dotti (Mar.1969, Div. 1982)

Maternal Grandparent

Baron Aernoud Van Heemstra

Baroness Elbrig van Asbeck

Siblings (From Mothers Prev. Marriage)

Alexander

Ian

Audrey's Children

Sean Ferrar

Luca Dotti

Audrey Hepburn's Early Life

Audrey Kathleen Ruston was born in 1929 in Brussels, Belgium to Joseph and Ella Ruston. She was sent to a boarding school in England at the age
of five, and began studying ballet. In 1939, when Audrey was 10, England
declared war on Germany. This development caused her mother to send
for her and have her return to the family, in the neutral country of Holland. Unfortunately, the war did come to Holland and it was not until 1945, when Audrey was 16, that relief finally came. Food had been cut off to Holland, and after the war Audrey was malnourished, anemic, and suffered from asthma.

Audrey was intelligent and hard working. She spoke 5 languages. After the war, she resumed her study of ballet and dance, pursuing her dream of being a prima ballerina. Working modeling jobs helped her pay her bills. In 1948, Audrey was told that because of her height, and the physical effects on her body the war, she could not be a ballerina. Determined to use her training, Audrey auditioned for cabarets, and eventually earned a part in a chorus line. Soon, she landed a featured role, and this eventually led to her being cast in several European films. She found her way onto Broadway when she was offered the role of role of Gigi by Colette, which opened in 1951.

Audrey Hepburn in Hollywood

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Audrey rocketed to stardom in 1954 after starring in her first film, "Roman Holiday". She played Princess Anne, and was Gregory Peck was cast as leading man. She was won the Oscar for "Best Actress" in "Roman Holiday", and she and Gregory Peck became lifelong friends.

Her second film triumph was "Sabrina" (1954), with Humphrey Bogart and William Holden. Through her years in Hollywood, she made over 25 movies. Audrey was cast with many famous leading men including Cary Grant, Rex Harrison, Gary Cooper, and Fred Astaire. She also had the opportunity to work with talented directors.Undoubtedly her most memorable role was when she portrayed Truman Capote’s Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's." (1961) This role cemented Audrey as a film and fashion icon.

Other memorable movies in which she starred include War and Peace (1956), Funny Face (1957), Charade (1963),My Fair Lady (1964), and How To Steal a Million (1966).

Audrey Hepburn's Style

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Audrey Hepburn created a chic style that has been emulated for years.

She was constantly seen wearing Capri's and ballet flats. Another favorite wardrobe piece was a white button down men's shirt that, which she could dress up or dress down. Audrey also increased the popularity of the little black dress.

Hubert Givenchy was her primary fashion designer, and he worked with her on several films, Including, "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

Audrey Hepburn as a Humanitarian

Shaped by her own difficult experiences during World War 2, Audrey Hepburn worked tirelessly as a humanitarian, especially for deprived children.

In1988, she became a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. She spent the next 5 years traveling to over 20 countries. She worked to raise awareness of the dire poverty many children suffer. The Audrey Hepburn Children’s Fund carries on her work today.

Audrey Hepburn Quotes

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“My look is attainable. Women can look like Audrey Hepburn by flipping out their hair, buying the large sunglasses, and the little sleeveless dresses.”

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”

“You can always tell what kind of a person a man really thinks you are by the earrings he gives you.”

"I never thought I'd land in pictures with a face like mine."

"There are certain shades of limelight that can wreck a girl's complexion."

"I never think of myself as an icon. What is in other people's minds is not in my mind. I just do my thing."

"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others."

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