Often times, people remember Audrey Hepburn for her distinct features and beauty. Her face dons posters, and her “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” look is iconic. However, she is so much more than just a pretty face.
She grew up in the midst of WWII
As a child, Audrey Hepburn was living in the terrors of WWII. She was living in the Netherlands at the time of the German invasion in 1940. Audrey and her mother were forced to ration food, and she recalls seeing Dutch Jews being taken to concentration camps. As a child, she would deliver money and papers to the Dutch Resistance, as many children did, because children were less suspicious to the Nazis and less likely to be searched. The German occupation of the Netherlands lasted for five years, and Audrey grew from an 11 year old to a 16 year old under these harsh conditions.
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She was a ballet dancer
During WWII, Audrey, who was trained in ballet dance, would perform in secret recitals for the cause of the Dutch Resistance against the Nazis. After the war, she continued her ballet performance, dancing under the training of Sonia Gaskell. Audrey took on small ballet roles, but later moved towards theater, as she was cast as a chorus member in “High Button Shoes” in 1948. From that point on, Audrey landed small roles in lesser known movies, until she was cast as the lead in “Roman Holiday” (1953) at age 24. Her dance abilities are shown in some of her movies like “Funny Face” (1957).
She had class and wisdom
Audrey Hepburn is the definition of class. She was adored by so many people. When she would host parties, her guests always felt welcome, and her kindness stood out to them. "Roman Holiday" co-star Gregory Peck says that she was “one of the most loved, one of the most skillful, one of the most intelligent, one of the most sensitive, charming actresses—and friends, in my life.” Audrey simply lived her life, and did not try to impress anyone. She says “after all, I’m a human being. When I get angry, I sometimes swear.”
Audrey is also very wise. There are many beautiful quotes from her, but this one in particular always stands out to me: “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.” Audrey lived up to her words.
She was a humanitarian
After her film career, Audrey dedicated her life to helping impoverished children. She became a UNICEF ambassador and started her journey by visiting an orphanage in Ethiopia in 1988. Audrey worked in many other places like Ecuador, Venezuela, Vietnam and Somalia. She brought food and clean water to many people until she was diagnosed with cancer and was forced into surgeries, rest and chemotherapy.
Throughout her life, Audrey stayed humble, generous and grateful. She says “how shall I sum up my life? I think I've been particularly lucky.”
