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Name Change During WWII
Audrey Hepburn's original name wasn't what we know her by today. During World War II, her mother, Baroness Ella van Heemstra, was concerned that the name Audrey sounded too English and might endanger them. As a result, the budding starlet changed her name to Edda van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston.
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Weight Loss During the War
Growing up during World War II took a toll on Audrey Hepburn's health. She nearly starved to death during the Nazi occupation. By the war's end, she was on the verge of death, suffering from jaundice and edema. Her son believes these wartime hardships caused lifelong complications, including anemia.
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Surprising Smoking Habit
Audrey Hepburn's beauty secret was unconventional. She smoked a staggering three packs of Gold Flake cigarettes every day, a habit she picked up in her teenage years and refused to quit despite growing awareness of the health risks.
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Legal Battle Over Her Estate
Following her death, Audrey Hepburn's sons, Luca Dotti and Sean Ferrer, engaged in a legal dispute over her belongings. They fought over her clothes, jewelry, scripts, costumes, and awards, creating tensions that continued for years.
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The Iconic Dress Auctioned for Charity
Audrey Hepburn collaborated closely with designer Hubert de Givenchy. In 1961, he designed a prototype of the iconic black dress worn in the opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany's. Givenchy retained three copies, one of which was later auctioned for nearly a million dollars to benefit a charity in Calcutta, India.
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Stormy Love Life
Audrey Hepburn's love life had its ups and downs, including a serious affair with William Holden during the filming of 'Sabrina'. After marrying and divorcing Mel Ferrer, she quickly remarried Italian psychologist Andrea Dotti. Eventually, she formed a long-lasting relationship with actor Robert Wolders.
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Dubbed Vocals in 'My Fair Lady'
In the film 'My Fair Lady,' Audrey Hepburn's singing was dubbed by Marnie Nixon, a talented soprano who also dubbed for other actresses in musicals. Although some stories suggest it was done secretly, Hepburn was aware of the dubbing.
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Truncated Ballet Dreams
Audrey Hepburn's childhood dreams of becoming a professional ballerina were disrupted when Germany invaded Britain. She performed in her native Holland during the war to raise morale and funds for the Dutch Underground. However, the war's aftermath left her physically unable to continue her ballet training in London.
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Hepburn's Resistance Against Her Own Parents
Despite her parents' fascist affiliations and Nazi sympathies, Audrey Hepburn joined the Dutch Resistance at the young age of 14 during the German occupation. Working in secret, she tended to the sick, provided food, and communicated with American and British troops. Her ability to speak multiple languages made her a valuable asset in the fight against the Nazi regime.
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Hepburn Was The Second Highest Paid Woman In Hollywood During Her Time Hepburn earned an impressive $750,000 for her role in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's', ranking second only to Elizabeth Taylor as the highest-paid actress of her time. Her earnings surged further with a whopping $1,100,000 for her role in 'My Fair Lady,' a considerable leap from the $12,500 she received for 'Roman Holiday'. Hepburn's financial savvy became evident as her estate was valued at a staggering $100,000,000 upon her passing. Today, her estate serves as the endowment for the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund, carrying on her humanitarian efforts and making a lasting impact on the lives of children in need.
While she remains one of fashion's original "It" girls, her legacy extends far beyond her famous stroll down Fifth Avenue in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's.'Join us on a captivating journey as we delve into the intimate and lesser-known aspects of Audrey Hepburn's remarkable life.
Discover the untold stories that shaped Audrey's journey from a young ballet dancer during the turmoil of World War II to a beloved Hollywood star and UNICEF ambassador.