Biographie d'Audrey Hepburn (document en anglais)

Her Life

Her life

- Audrey Hepburn was born to an English father and Dutch mother in Belgium, May 4th, 1929 in Ixelles.

- The family often moved between England, Holland and Belgium because of the work of her father.

- In 1935, her parents divorced because her father was a Nazi sympathizer. The divorce was very traumatic for six year old Audrey.

- Audrey went to boarding school in Kent. But after, her mother moved the family to Arnhem in the Netherlands.

- During the occupation, Audrey went to school at the Arnhem conservatory where she studied and learnt ballet: She wanted to become a ballerina.

- During the war Audrey suffered of anemia, respiratory problems.

- After the war, Audrey went to London where she continued to practice ballet. She had great talent but her height and malnutrition during the war meant that she was unable to become a really great ballerina, and so decided to seek work as an actor.

Her personal life

- In 1952, Hepburn was engaged to the James Hanson, after having her wedding dress fitted and the date set, she decided the marriage would not work because of her career.

- She met an Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti and fell in love with him on a trip to Greek ruins. She married him on 18 January 1969 at age 40, and gave birth to their son Luca Dotti in 1970. They marriage ends in 1982 because of adultery.

- From 1980 until her death, Hepburn lived and was romantically involved with a Dutch actor Robert Wolders. In 1989, she called the nine years she had spent with him the happiest years of her life.

- After returning from Somalia in 1992 Audrey Hepburn developed a cancer of the colon. She died in Switzerland aged of 63 years old.

Her carrier

- After several minor roles in films such as The Lavender Hill Mob, Audrey was chosen to play Gigi.

- Her first film was Secret People in 1952, a film about a prodigy ballerina. It was during the filming that she was spotted by director William Wyler.

- He was producing a film “Roman Holiday” and he felt that Audrey Hepburn would make a perfect choice for the English Princess. Audrey had an Oscar for her performance.

- This film established her place in Hollywood’s elite. For example, with the films Sabrina and Funny Face.

- In 1961, Audrey played one of her most demanding roles in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, her performance was one of the most iconic roles of the sixties.

- She had a natural beauty and elegance: she has often been voted the most beautiful woman of the century.

U.N.I.C.E.F

- In 1967 she worked with UNICEF. She was appointed as a special ambassador to UNICEF and became actively involved in campaigns to improve conditions for children around the world.

- In 1988 she visited Ethiopia at a camp

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