The legendary life of Audrey Hepburn.

She was one of the most graceful actresses of the filming industry, but she became an iconic figure also because of her beautiful heart and endurance.

Born on 4^th May 1929 in Brussels, Belgium, Audrey’s father is an English banker and her mom a Dutch baroness. She lived with her mother and moved to Netherland after her mother separated with Audrey’s father during war time (World War II). She learned ballet there and took some acting classes.

Some say there were lies behind her story all the time even though she is the most lovely and graceful lady. Hollywood wants to make Audrey the most perfect idol without blemish, so it hid her true past.

It turned out that her parents met Hitler himself in Munich and devotees of the notorious British fascist Sir Oswald Mosley. But Audrey’s mother Ella disagreed with her husband later and parted ways.

Turned out Audrey’s father chose his political goals over family, having left Audrey, her mother, and her brothers to live by themselves. But interestingly, Ella also showed anti-Semitic opinions by writing and posting anonymously an article in The Blackshirt, praising Hitler’s virtues as follows:

At Nuremberg…What struck me most forcibly amongst the million and one impressions I received there were (a) the wonderful fitness of every man and woman one saw, on parades or in the street; and (b) the refreshing atmosphere around one, the absolute freedom from any form of mental pressure or depression.
These people certainly live in spiritual comfort….
From Nuremberg I went to Munich….I never heard an angry word….They [the German people] are happy….
Well may Adolf Hitler be proud of the rebirth of this great country…”

The war took a great toll on Audrey’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Nazi Germans were everywhere with guns and barking dogs. She even witnessed people being executed on the street and Jewish people loaded into cattle cars heading towards death camps. What’s devastating mostly is that she almost died from starvation and that explains why her physical conditions were always in a bad situation. She went on eating binges after war but later will switch to a diet to compete as a thin-looking ballerina.

Between 1951 and 1953, she performed the lead role in the play ‘Gigi’ which became a success. Hepburn’s potential in acting was recognized ever since then.

In September 1954, she married a Cuban co-actor Mel Ferrer with whom he had a son named Sean. Unfortunately, rumor has it that Mel got jealous because Audrey has more fame than him.

Audrey Hepburn was more than just a movie star — she was also a fashion icon with a renowned sense of style and passion for haute couture. Throughout the bulk of her career, Hepburn stayed loyal to one fashion house: Givenchy. A 2014 article in Vanity Fair detailed the lifelong friendship that developed between Hepburn and fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy, who was hired to create her wardrobe for the 1953 film Sabrina. Givenchy would design Hepburn’s wardrobe for her next seven films, as well as the clothing she wore in her personal life.

In 1959, a street in Doorn, Netherlands was named after her as ‘Audrey Hepburn Laan’ (Audrey Hepburn Lane).

Her debut movie in a leading role ‘Roman Holiday’ was acclaimed by the critics as well as the audience which shot her to fame. For this she even got the ‘Academy Award for Best Actress’ and many other awards.

As she approached her 60s, she used the power of her celebrity to help give voice to the voiceless and was appointed as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.

Audrey devoted her life to improving children’s rights because she was helped during war time with food and medical supplies by programs under UNICEF.

She made a series of UNICEF field trips to Turkey, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Bangladesh, Thailand, Sudan, etc.

In 1992, she became ill with cancer but continued her work and was awarded the United States’ highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

We all know about her great achievements, but what about her daily life without the spotlight?

Just like other ladies who are into fashion, beauty tips and make up. There are some good tips used by her for a good lifestyle:

Detox was a thing already.

She always set a day every month as the “Detox Day”. During that day she only eat fruits, vegetables, and yogurt and drink plenty of water. It is a useful trick after an international traveling to feel good.

Mascara has to be perfect.

She uses feline flick to create the doe-eyed look. The key to big, beautiful eyes is long lashes. Audrey would apply mascara in 3 layers and separate each single lash with tweezers.

Hydration

She says you can always stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water.She mentioned that Greek yoghurt contains lactic acid which helps to gently exfoliate while hydrating the skin.

Black and white stripes.

Audrey was a big fan of stripes. She’ll wear stripes, particularly Breton stripes which is a type of stripe that sailors wore (English and French). France later popularized it and it became fashionable.

Collared shirts are always in.

Look at the following nicely fitted collared shirt. It provides a casual and carefree look. It is intelligent, refined but not uptight.

Wear your signature scent.

We all know she is the muse of Givenchy and their life-long friendship is legendary. As Hepburn once said, “Givenchy’s clothes are the only ones I feel myself in. He is more than a designer, he is a creator of personality.” Givenchy’s L’Interdit was created especially for her. Hubert de Givenchy commissioned perfumer Francis Fabron to create the scent, The name L’Interdit means “forbidden” in French. Later it became publicly available under Audrey’s request. His support for her has accompanied her to get through many important occasions in life and through ups and downs. And his originally created perfume is definitely the highlight of Audrey’s personal charisma.

Always be kind and genuine.

She is not just the most iconic actress and fashion figure, she is adored by people because she has beauty from the inside out. Kindness, gentle heart and compassionate feelings towards others made her the most perfect human being and a global treasure throughout the world.

Reference:

https://www.unicef.org/goodwill-ambassadors/audrey-hepburn

Audrey Hepburn & the Family Skeletons

“At Nuremberg,” The Blackshirt, October 11, 1935.

https://www.thelist.com/187998/the-untold-truth-of-audrey-hepburn/

https://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/article/audrey-hepburn-beauty-routine