8 Incredible Facts About Audrey Hepburn
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

8 Incredible Facts About Audrey Hepburn

Because history remembers her as pretty.

1428
8 Incredible Facts About Audrey Hepburn
Daily Mail

We've all seen that token picture of Audrey Hepburn-- she smiles gently while sitting behind a countertop filled with flashes of silver and white objects; one hand serves as a delicate rest for her chin while the other gracefully bears a cigarette holder. She wears the classic Breakfast at Tiffany's getup--she has her hair tied up in a beehive, she dons a black dress and gloves, and she bears the signature Tiffany Diamond on her neck. She radiates beauty and elegance.

This is the first image I saw of the beloved movie star, and ever since I did my adoration for her has only grown. I'm lucky it did, because if it hadn't I would have likely never learned as much about her as I did. The amazing life of the beautiful actress spans far beyond the token, beautiful image of her with a cigarette, and it deserves to be shared. So, without further ado, here are eight incredible facts you didn't know about Audrey Hepburn.

1. She was an extremely talented ballerina.

Before she was a star, Hepburn longed to be a famous ballerina. She began ballet training as a child and was reportedly very talented. Unfortunately, her tall height and poor health (stemming from malnutrition she suffered as a child) prevented her from accomplishing this goal, yet she continued to remain passionate about dancing and ballet for the entirety of her life.

2. During World War II, she aided the Dutch Resistance.

Audrey Hepburn's early life in the Netherlands was characterized by Nazi presence. During the 5-year German occupation of the country, the actress suffered from malnutrition due to a cutoff of food supplies. Despite this, and the fact that both of her parents were Nazi sympathizers, Audrey Hepburn worked for the Dutch Resistance during her adolescent life. She helped exchange papers and important documents between Resistance workers and raised money for the organization by performing ballet concerts for secret audiences. Later in life, Audrey reported that the attendants of these concerts refrained from clapping because they feared being caught.

3. She was an EGOT

That's right, this multi-talented star won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. Not only that, but her first academy award was awarded to her after her very first major film, Roman Holiday.

4. She did not think of herself as beautiful.

According to her son, Luca, Audrey Hepburn criticized her bust and frame for being too small and her nose and her feet for being too big. Incredibly enough, this famously beautiful icon referred to herself "a good mixture of defects."

5. She was fluent in five languages.

Hepburn was fluent in English, Spanish, French, Dutch, and Italian.

6. She was an animal lover.

Not only did the actress have a dog, she also famously held a pet deer named Pippen. Originally, the deer was used in her film Green Mansions. The trainer suggested that Hepburn bring the animal home with her to foster a better connection, and Audrey and the deer reportedly grew to become very fond of each other.

7. A breed of tulips was named after her.

During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during her childhood, Hepburn famously ate tulip bulbs to avoid starvation. To commemorate this, along with Audrey's charity work throughout her lifetime, a breed of white tulips was names after her

8. She was a major contributor to UNICEF.

Hepburn's childhood experiences made her particularly sensitive to the plight of struggling and starving children. Towards the end of her life, Hepburn was an extremely dedicated UNICEF worker. She was named a UNICEF ambassador, and accompanied the organization on missions to Ethiopia, Thailand, and Vietnam (among other countries). Additionally, she gave countless speeches and interviews, organized many fundraisers, and even went before U.S. congress on behalf of the organization. She continued to travel and work for UNICEF even while battling cancer. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her efforts.


Here's to you, Miss Hepburn. You were incredibly beautiful, but you were so much more.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57204
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36895
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958646
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

190523
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments