Edda Hepburn van Heemstra is known to the world as "My Fair Lady". Her father was an English banker and her mother, a Dutch Baroness. Edda’s mother Ella Hepburn-Ruston was from one of the aristocratic families in Europe. Ella was always reminded of the family’s long, illustrious heritage, and implored not to indulge in any activity that would deviate from the honor of the Heemstra dynasty, particularly not to be associated with stage or with actors and actresses. Ella frowned yet obeyed her father but from within, she desired to be an actress. Her first marriage failed. She married the handsome John Hepburn and had started life afresh.
Birth of Audrey
Their first and only child was born on May 4, 1929, on John’s fine estate near Brussels. Edda Kathleen van Hepburn Heemstra, a tall baby with the prettiest laughing eyes, was born at a time of grave economic and political unrest.
The Lonely Child
Edda was raised with two boisterous older half-brothers, Ian and Alexander. These kids were brought up either on the estate near Brussels or at her mother’s castle-like house on the van Heemstra’s manor near Arnhem. Little Edda much preferred her own company, a quiet, reflective child, given to daydreaming. Edda was not ‘the sweet little girl’ type.
She was thin, and frequently sick, but tomboyish in spirit and would race Ian and Alexander to scale the trees and jump the fences on the estate. Unlike most other little girls, she bore no liking for dolls. When the Baroness tried to interest her daughter in such playthings, Edda would leave them in a pile in the nursery, complaining : "They are so silly", and years later she confessed : "They just never seemed real to me."
Towards Stardom
She was three years old when she made her first acquaintance with England. This was the time when she made her first early indication that she was destined to become a performer. The Baroness had taken her, and the boys, to an afternoon band concert when they were visiting Folkestone, on the south coast, and at some point she managed to disappear from her mother’s side.
When the Baroness was just beginning to think the worst and in the process of asking passers-by to help her search for the lost child, someone pointed out a little girl on the far side of the bandstand, dancing and hopping to music. A small audience had collected around her. ‘Edda did that kind of thing without any prompting from others or me. It was spontaneous and natural, so she didn’t appear to be one of those awful little prodigies.’ said the Baroness.
Time Spent with Brothers
Throughout the early years Edda lived alternately between the family’s estates in Holland and Belgium and for winter schooling, in England, a life of nannies and private tutors. The Baroness’ marriage with John now was in trouble. The constant quarrelling and tense atmosphere at home affected Edda’s personality. She became over-sensitive, developed an accurately introvert nature and sought refuge in green fields around her estates and in eating compulsively. Although she developed a strong attachment to both her half-brothers, she seldom made friends with children her own age. She began to find solace in dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and other livestock that were part of estates. She was an ardent reader; a favorite volume of fiction would accompany her always. Although she dearly loved the elder brother Ian, she grew closer to Alexander, a lad just four years older to her. As Edda wanted to be like him, she read Rudyard Kipling just as Alexander. Before she was 13, she had read nearly every book by Edgar Wallace and Edward Phillips Oppenheim, who wrote a long series of romantic mysteries about secret international documents, shifty documents and seductive adventures.
Separation from Father
In the meantime, John’s work took him abroad more often and the house remained peaceful. Mother and daughter developed an extraordinary bond of love and respect. In 1935, John and the Baroness separated under strange circumstances. John simply walked out of his house, never to be heard from again. In the years between her childhood and international stardom Audrey saw her father only once, in 1939, when she was 10.
At School
The Baroness took Edda and the boys to Arnhem, and life went on much as before : private tutors, winter schooling in England, an enclosed, exclusive existence. In 1938, when the Baroness got a divorce, it brought about the crucial question of Edda’s custody. It stipulated that Edda would attend an exclusive English girls’ school near London so that John could visit her. Edda in beginning to miss her mother, the half-brothers and animals at estate, but eventually the nine-year-old girl, who spoke English and French fluently, blossomed with good health and gushed with exciting reports on the progress of her ballet lesson. A teacher confirmed that Edda had a natural aptitude for dancing. But during her days in boarding school Edda began to suffer from migraine attacks, which afflicted her for the rest of her life. Still Edda was making steady progress and was blissfully happy possibly for the first time in life.
At van Heemstra’s Estate - Arnhem
In 1939, when England declared war on Germany in September, the Baroness reasoned that Holland would be the safest place for Edda, and so she ignored John’s pleas to return their daughter to her English school. She chose to install the three children in the van Heemstra’s estate just outside Arnhem. Later; she enrolled Edda, Ian and Alexander at a small school in Arnhem itself, and allowed Edda to continue ballet training at the Arnhem conservatory of music. In the beginning Edda faced problems at school, as she didn’t know a single word in Dutch, but later she mastered it.
A Ballerina
One evening, the Sadler’s Wells ballet spearheaded by its brightest jewels, Margot Fonteyn and Robert Helpmann were at Arnhem. Edda attended the company’s last performance. During the performance, which included Frederick Ashton’s Horoscope, a ballet about young lovers ruled over by zodiac signs, Hitler’s tanks started to roll into Holland. That night, sitting up in bed with the printed program of the dance company from Britain in front of her, Edda decided that one day she too, would be a ballerina like Margot Fonteyn.
The Terror Faced
The Nazis had by the time invaded Netherlands; Arnhem was occupied. The wealthy people of Holland were among the first to feel the full impact of the invasion. In retrospect, the Baroness’ decision to remain in Arnhem was all the more odd taking into account her Jewish ancestry. The Germans seized the Van Heemstra estates and property holdings. One of Edda’s uncle, a foremost lawyer and a closest cousin, were arrested and executed. Edda watched as Ian the elder half-brother was dragged away by force to a concentration camp. Both the brothers had refused to join the Nazi youth organization, which made lives almost impossible. Alexander was in the Dutch army, which was easily defeated and he remained in hiding for the rest of the war. Ian, a member of the Dutch resistance, simply disappeared in front of Edda’s eyes and for years the family didn’t know whether he was dead or alive.
Ballet Studies at Arnhem Conservatory
For remainder of the war Edda lived under an assumed name and never uttered an English word in public. She traveled her way to school in severe hardship. Eventually, she left school and had a private tutor, but she maintained her ballet studies at Arnhem conservatory. Sometime later, she provided dancing lessons at a local academy and then at her home. At an age when most girls were tripping over the polished floor at school concerts, Edda was giving ballet tuitions to youngsters not much younger than her. Quite soon, civilian food was extremely rationed and the strain on Edda began to tell. She became thin and extremely ill.
Edda – The Messenger
The Baroness shifted to a house at the outskirts the town, not as comfortable as the mansion, but adequate to emergency needs. The acute food shortage made Edda weak and asthmatic. During this time, Edda took coded messages under her shoes without raising suspicion in German soldiers’ mind. She gave secret recitals at which funds were collected for resistance work. The Baroness, inspired by Queen Wilhelmina’s exorbitions, was involved in underground activities, and it was a matter of time before Edda and Alexander would be recruited to contribute their services to the cause of the Dutch freedom fighters.
Performances for Raising Funds
Arnhem conservatory was used as a center for raising funds and recruiting saboteurs, their subversive activities conducted under the cover of musical concerts, ballet performances, and other entertainment. Edda danced and played piano. She performed with her classmate, Joyce Vanderveer, a friendship that survived even after the war and rekindled many years later across the Atlantic. It was impossible to buy ballet shoes, so Edda had to perform wearing her old slippers and dresses made from curtains and old sheets. Edda danced on versions of old classical ballets – Coppelia, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.
Although her first dream was to be ballet dancer like ‘Margot Fonteyn’, her appearances at ‘black’ concerts were as a boy due to her height.
The Food Shortage
As money grew tight, the family jewel box was emptied to buy food. A meal often consisted little more than endive. During winter and spring months Edda survived on tulip bulbs. Edda even fell unconscious once at her ballet tuition at the conservatory. The teacher helped her by offering a generous chunk of cheese kept for emergency. Her dancing, during those bleak days when death constantly lurked around the corner, had been her exclusive balm.
The Horrifying Days in a Cellar
Two months before liberation, with freedom in the air, the German police initiated steps to round up women to work for military kitchens, hospitals and camps. Edda, one day on her way back home, was caught but somehow escaped and stumbled into a dark cellar. The shivering 15-year-old girl remained in the cellar for about three weeks and four days surviving on crisp-hard bread and a flask of apple juice in her satchel. She developed serious jaundice. To end the war, airborne troops dropped behind enemy’s lines at several places in the Netherlands.
AUDREY HEPBURN <1929 – 1993 >
Audrey Hepburn was born in Brussels to a Dutch Baroness and a wealthy English banker. When she was young her parents divorced and Audrey moved with her mother to Netherlands. She suffered a lot during the Nazi invasion with severe starvation, anemia and respiratory problems. She moved to London to learn ballet and did small roles in few films. On one such day, Colette, a French novelist, noticed her and cast her as lead in Gigi, a Broadway adaptation of her novel. Despite her lack of acting experiences, she impressed audiences. Audrey was given role of Princess Anne in William Wyler’s Roman Holiday. In 1954, Audrey received an Oscar award for her role in Roman Holiday. The same year she also received Tony award for Broadway’s Ondine. Audrey starred in several successful movies and was nominated four times for Oscar.
Audrey married Mel Ferrer and had a son Sean. In 1968, she separated from Mel and a year later married an Italian psychiatrist Dr Andrea Mario Dotti and the couple had a son, Luca. However, in 1982 Audrey divorced Dr Dotti. In 1987, Audrey was officially appointed Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. Accompanied by her companion till death, Robert Wolders, she visited places such as Ethiopia, Sudan Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Audrey was diagnosed of colon cancer in 1991. On January 20, Audrey Hepburn died at age of 63 in Tolochenaz, Switzerland.
• May 4, 1929 Audrey Kathleen van Heemstra Ruston was born in Brussels.
• 1934 Joined boarding school in England.
• 1941 Began her first ballet training.
• 1943 Edda acted as message carrier. She performed at ‘black’ concerts for raising funds.
• 1945 Escaped from German soldiers.
• 1949-50 Fell in love with James Hanson.
• 1951 Signed Roman Holiday.
• 1952 Announced her engagement with James Hanson over.
• 1953 Roman Holiday opened in the US and was a blockbuster.
Met Mel Ferrer.
• 1954 Academy Award for Best Actress.
Tony Award for best stage actress in Ondine.
• 1958 The Nun’s Story proved a smashing hit.
• 1959 Had an accident while shooting.
• 1966 Accepted Two for the Road.
• 1968 Separated from Mel.
• January 18, 1969 Married Italian psychiatrist-neurologist Andrea Dotti.
• 1975 Made a comeback opposite Sean Connery.
• 1979 Agreed to star in the Sidney Sheldon thriller, Bloodline.
• 1980 Dida comedy, They All Laughed.
• 1982 Divorced Dr Dotti.
• 1987 Appointed Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.
• 1988 Did field-trip assignments for UNICEF – visiting some of the worst affected places in the world.
• 1989 Steven Spielberg’s Always, her last screen performance.
• 1990 Shot the television series, Gardens of the World.
• 1991 Hosted the PBS Special – The Fred Astaire Songbook.
• 1992 Underwent a surgery for colon cancer.
• January 20, 1993 Died at the age of 64.
Liberation Finally
Edda and her family suffered the terrible experience of having their home bombed to the ground. They escaped with nothing but the clothes worn. The Baroness promptly found temporary accommodation with friends. Liberation finally came with the German surrender on May 5, 1945, a day after Edda’s 16th birthday. When the British troop returned to Arnhem, Edda came out to welcome them. She danced, smiled and jumped with joy.
An Opportunity Lost
Following liberation, Edda volunteered for work as a nurse in a rest home for Dutch soldiers. She derived enormous satisfaction from the job. But there were also disappointments. Through aegis of a close family friend, she learned that she had been awarded scholarship to the famous Rambert School of Ballet. But for financial reasons Edda had to let go the opportunity for the moment. Ian had returned from Germany and the family now reunited. Edda began to think about her future as a ballet dancer. Though ruined financially, the Baroness secured a job as a cook-cum-housekeeper in the service of a wealthy Dutch family. With little money left at the end of each week, Edda was able to continue her ballet training in Amsterdam.
Nederland in 7 Lesen (Dutch in 7 lessons)
One day, when she was engaged on the perfection of some grand battements with Russian ballet teacher Madame Olga Tarassova, Dutch film director Charles Huguenot van der Linden and the associate producer H M Josephson visited the class. He was about to start a movie called ‘Nederland in 7 Lesen’ (Dutch in 7 lessons) and was in search of a pretty lady to play the small role of an air stewardess. They chose Edda for the role. Her happiness knew no bounds. Edda was just 18 when she made her film debut.
The Scholarship at Rambert School of Ballet
The following year, with lifting of the currency restrictions on European travel, and with Ian and Alexander having left home for a life of adventure in the Dutch East Indies, Edda convinced the Baroness to allow her to go to England and accept the scholarship with the Rambert School of Ballet. Audrey and the Baroness finally reached London for their appointment with Marie Rambert at Madame Rambert’s famous ballet studio. Madame Rambert, then aged 60, received Audrey and the Baroness cordially. The scholarship at Rambert School of ballet took care of Audrey’s tuition fees only; food, clothes and lodging had to be paid by Audrey and the Baroness. They were unable to gather enough money and almost starved but providence shone over Audrey.
The Small Earnings
Madame Rambert, recognizing her talent, took the poor ballet student into her terraced house in Camden hill gardens and housed, fed and schooled her for six months. The Baroness, for the time being, had found a temporary job in a florist’s shop and then worked briefly as an interior decorator until she was appointed as manager of a block of Mayfair flats. She managed to rent a whole apartment; Audrey later moved in. During holidays and free time Audrey worked as a dental assistant, filing clerk and occasionally gave French lessons. She also worked as a model on weekends.
High Button Shoes and Sauce Tartare
Despite her ambitions for ballet, Audrey was aware of her limitations – her height and lack of training. Audrey declined an offer for an overseas tour and instead tried out for the chorus line of High Button Shoes. Audrey was one of ten from thousands trying to get the job. The show ran 291 performances. Unknown to Audrey, one of London’s leading impresarios, Cecil Landeau, came to the London Hippodrome to see High Button Shoes. Landeau, bewitched by Audrey, offered her a part in a lavish new revue called Sauce Tartare. Throughout the run of Sauce Tartare, Audrey continued her ballet classes with Marie Rambert and also took modeling assignments to supplement her income.
Sauce Piquante
After 433 performances, the play refreshed as Sauce Piquante opened on April 27, 1950 – in which Audrey returned to do a bigger part. During the play, Audrey had her first serious relationship with Marcel le Bon, a young French singer in Sauce Piquante, but only for a brief period. After Sauce Piquante, Landeau was fully convinced that Audrey would reach stardom not as a dancer but as an actress. He sent her for coaching in dramatic art to Felix Aylmer, one of Britain’s finest character actors. Aylmer worked on her vocal squeak and Landeau taught her to project her voice in the large auditorium. The revue was closed in June.
Summer Nights
Landeau started a new revue, arranged with one of London’s top nightclubs to present a potted version of the old one, entitled Summer Nights. The cabaret opened in July at Ciro’s, the famed nightspot.
Missed-Laughter in Paradise
One day at Ciro, Robert Lennard, a casting director noticed Audrey. He mentioned her to Mario Zampi – an Italian filmmaker who was preparing a comedy called Laughter in Paradise. Audrey was offered a major role by Associated British Pictures Corporation’s Laughter in Paradise, but she, at first refused and Beatrice Campbell was signed. Later, realizing the mistake, she rushed back to get the role, but she was late and landed up doing a small role of ‘cigarette girl’ in the film.
The Small Roles and A Serious Relationship
Then, Audrey performed small roles in One Wild Oat and in Young Wives’ Tale. She then loaned out to Ealing studios for The Lavender Hill Mob. The film was named the best film of 1951, but Audrey’s contribution went unnoticed by the studio. Shortly after finishing The Lavender Hill Mob, Audrey fell in love with 28-year-old James Hanson, a multimillionaire scion from Yorkshire trucking family. Audrey’s mother found him a stable match for her.
Secret People and Nous Iron a Monte Carlo
Audrey got a major supporting role in The Secret People. The role utilized her ballet skills and one dramatic scene evoked memories of Arnhem bombing. During this production, she was offered a role in Nous Iron a Monte Carlo, shot on location on the French Riviera.
In Broadway production as Colette’s Gigi
While she was shooting a scene in the lobby of Hotel de Paris for Nous Iron a Monte Carlo, an elderly woman being pushed in a bath chair noticed Audrey. The elderly woman was no other than the famous novelist Colette. She thought Audrey was perfect for a lead role in Broadway production’s Gigi. Gilbert Miller, the producer, after initial discontent signed Audrey. Suddenly, Audrey’s life was in a whirl. There were newspaper interviews, flying trips to Paris for dress fittings, legal formalities, nightlong discussions and much more.
Roman Holiday’s Princess Anne
In the meantime, William Wyler was also looking for a leading lady for his script the Roman Holiday opposite Gregory Peck. Audrey screen-tested in London for Roman Holiday and Wyler found her irresistible. Audrey was cast as a runaway princess wooed by an international journalist. Now signed for a Hollywood movie as well as a Broadway play, Audrey left on her own – the first time without her mother – for New York.
Gigi and the Engagement
Gigi rehearsals began in October. However, Audrey’s auditions were substandard. After much hard work, and much-needed vocal coaching, sometimes even up to opening nights, she steadily improved. Majority of newspapers gave low marks to the play but kudos to Audrey. During Hanson’s visit for the Gigi premiere, Audrey accepted his diamond ring to formalize their engagement. His work was split between NYC, Toronto, and Britain, and during Gigi he and Audrey spent a lot of time together. After her Gigi success, Audrey resumed her voice coaching, and her dance instructions – at the Tarassova School of Ballet in New York City. In 1952, on May 31, Gigi closed early in New York, as Paramount was eager to get started on Roman Holiday, for which there was a narrow shooting schedule.
An Amicable Split
Audrey went to Rome immediately after closing night, with her wedding – having been planned between the play and film that spring – postponed. Roman Holiday completed in September and Audrey learned much from the experience: When asked later how much she had learned from Wyler, she would say "almost everything." On this film Audrey began her life-long collaboration and friendship with Edith Head. Wedding plans were put off again as Audrey went straight into the American road tour of Gigi, lasting eight months. Midway through, Audrey announced her engagement over. It was an amicable split and they continued to see each other. Audrey would say that her desire to give up at least a year after marriage to just being her husband’s wife made it being impossible to give up her career, which she has worked for so hard.
Golden Girl of the Year
In 1953, Roman Holiday opened in the US in August, and audiences and critics loved it. Audrey’s "look" became a rage and was followed by fashion magazines everywhere. In Britain, the Sunday Express dubbed her the ‘Golden Girl of the year’; another national newspaper chose her ‘Woman of the Year’. Additionally, Life, the American picture weekly, devoted its cover and eight inside pages to Audrey Hepburn, again the ‘Golden Girl of the Year’.
Mel Ferrer, Sabrina and Givenchy
In London, in July, for the British opening of Roman Holiday, Audrey first met Mel Ferrer at a fête hosted by her mother. Mel, a twice divorced, father of four, an actor, stage and film director, was 12 years her senior. The chemistry between them was instant and they were soon in love. In September, Audrey began shooting for Sabrina on Long Island. In Sabrina, Audrey was daughter of a chauffeur of a millionaire, who is love of both sons of the family. She ends up, not with the younger playboy son – William Holden, but with the elder efficient son – Humphrey Bogart. During the film she got involved with Holden for a brief period. On this film, Audrey began her lasting relationship with Givenchy, who designed the fashion costumes worn by Sabrina.
Broadway’s Ondine
While still at work on Sabrina, Ferrer had sent Audrey the script for Broadway’s Ondine, in which he hoped to have her star. It was about a man who is engaged to a girl to whom he is devoted, a girl of social world, yet another girl who comes from the spirit world distracts him and between the two girls, he is destroyed. She agreed to do the role, securing Mel as co-star.
By Herself
Off the sets, Audrey lived alone in a little two-room apartment, with rent of $120 a month. She earned a salary of not more than $800 a week and she could afford the rent. Audrey loved cooking and doing her own housework.
Academy Award and Tony Award
Ondine premiered on February 18, 1954. Audrey now learned that she had been nominated for an Academy Award for Roman Holiday, and on March 25, 1954 on a glorious night, she was awarded Best Actress. Three days later, Audrey was awarded again : the Tony Award for best stage actress in Ondine. She was not just the best actress in cinema but also on Broadway. In the entire history of these awards, only one other actress had ever managed to capture both of them in the same year Shirley Booth had claimed that distinction the previous year.
Few Days at Switzerland
Three months into Ondine and Audrey was suffering from exhaustion, smoking a pack of cigarettes a day and 15 pounds underweight. On advice from her doctors to rest, she quit and so Ondine closed on July 3, after 157 performances. At the end of the month, she flew to an alpine resort in Switzerland, where after a week of media imprisonment, she finally found respite at a villa in Bürgenstock.
Marriage with Mel Ferrer
In August, Mel Ferrer flew to Switzerland and proposed. Audrey accepted – over Ella’s objection. On September 24, they were married in a civil ceremony at Buoche, on the shores of Lake Lucerne. The next day, they repeated their vows at a religious ceremony in a chapel below the mountain at Bürgenstock. After a four-day honeymoon near Bürgenstock, she and Mel enjoyed a week together near Cinecitta Studios, Italy, where he was filming La Madre. Meanwhile, the Foreign Press Association, from a poll conducted in fifty countries, voted Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck the world’s favorite film players for 1954.
A Fundraising Tour
On return to Bürgenstock, they learned that Audrey was pregnant. For the rest of her life Audrey called Switzerland her home. In November, Audrey made her first return to Holland on the invitation of the League of Dutch Military War Invalids for a five-day fundraising tour.
Second Oscar Nomination and a Miscarriage
In 1955 February, Audrey received her second Oscar nomination, for Sabrina, but lost to Grace Kelly in A Country Girl. In March, Audrey had a miscarriage. She and Mel grieved privately.
War and Peace
The Ferrers both signed under producer Dino De Laurentiis for War and Peace, a gargantuan wedge of vice on the ice, and sex on the Steppes, with half of Moscow and most Siberia spread magnificently across Rome’s Cinecitta studios. Because of the 10-hour days, and her miscarriage and general frailty, Audrey called her role of Natasha in War and Peace the toughest role she ever did. Although the film received generally negative reviews, many reviewers praised her portrayal of Natasha. Audrey was now deluged with script offers, most of which either fell through for whatever reason or she rejected – including two dozen from Associated British.
The Funny Face
Her next film project was the musical Funny Face, with Fred Astaire. Paramount studio agreed on Mel directing the film. In Funny Face, Audrey played a studious Greenwich bookseller kissed abruptly by fashion photographer Astaire, who whisks her to Paris to transform her into a glamorous model. Audrey danced and sang with Astaire in the film. Funny Face was shot in three months in Hollywood, followed by a month in Paris. Audrey and Mel were together the whole time while Ella, based in London, made several trips to visit her daughter in Paris. Now, included in her contract, Givenchy designed all of Audrey’s film clothes.
Love in the Afternoon
Audrey returned home for four weeks’ rest before Love in the Afternoon, again with Billy Wilder. She was coupled with Gary Cooper – 28 years her senior. The plot concerned the infatuation of French teenage student for American middle-aged millionaire playboy whose activities were being investigated by the girl’s private–eye father. During the shoot in Paris Audrey made trips on weekends to the south of France to join Mel, where he was filming The Vintage. This was Audrey’s first prolonged separation from her husband.
Christmas at La Quinta and Mayer Ling
In 1956 Christmas, Audrey went to Europe at La Quinta, a desert resort near Palm Springs, with Mel and his children, Pepa and Mark. In 1957, Audrey’s only professional commitment was Mayer Ling, a 90-minute color production. In January, the Ferrers began work on the television movie Mayer Ling, which took a week of rehearsal then two weeks taping at the NBC studios. Mayer Ling aired on February 4, and although it garnered a large audience, the reviews were bad. On the basis of its failure NBC rejected several other proposed Hepburn-Ferrer team productions. Ferrer thought of himself more of a producer/director than co-star of the partnership.
The Nun’s Story
Audrey needed rest. She turned down offers while she accompanied her husband to Spain and Mexico for the shooting of The Sun Also Rises. Among the films she rejected was The Diary of Ann Frank, which she found "too painful" and too close to her wartime experiences. Audrey, urged by Mel, signed The Nun’s Story, Warner Bros.’ screen adaptation of Kathryn Hulme’s best selling novel as her next film. Audrey’s portrayal was of real life Belgian girl who joins a strict order, endures hardships in Congo, breaks her vows and returns to ordinary life as a nurse. Filming for The Nun’s Story began in Rome’s Cinecitta Studios, and then followed by the difficult stint on location in the Belgian Congo. For the conclusion of the shoot, back in Rome, the crew was forced to work around Audrey for a time, as she was bedridden with kidney stones, partly due to dehydration from working so long in the Congo.
A Smash Hit
Released on July 18, 1959, The Nun’s Story made more money for Warner Bros., than any film in its history; and in a poll conducted by Film Daily among more than 1,800 representatives of America’s press critics, reviewers and film commentators, Audrey was voted Best Actress of the Year. The New York film critics also gave her best actress award, as did the jury of San Sebastian Film Festival, the Variety club of Great Britain, and the British Film Academy did notice her remarkable performance. However, the film won none of the eight Oscars it was nominated for, including the Best Actress.
Green Mansions
Audrey’s next film was Mel’s own project Green Mansions. Immediately after the conclusion of The Nun’s Story shoot, Audrey began Green Mansions in Hollywood. Mel had already spent several months with a crew in British Guyana and Venezuela shooting backgrounds. Green Mansions was based on WH Hudson’s powerful love story set in a South American jungle. Audrey played Rima, a jungle sprite and the then current heartthrob Antony Perkins as the young boy who loses his heart to her. During the film, Audrey became friendly with a fawn that she named Ip. Like Mary and her little lamb, the deer that was also her co-star followed her everywhere. The film completed in November and eventually released prior to The Nun’s Story. It was a big flop – with Mel as director getting the blame – and failed to recoup its investment.
The Unforgiven
The Ferrers returned to Bürgenstock. Audrey again was pregnant. Her next film was The Unforgiven, shot in Mexico. The rambling and unlikely film presented Audrey as sister of lusty Texan cattle-drovers Lancaster, Murphy and McClure, who turns out to be a Red Indian. During the shoot she fell off a horse and was badly hurt. She had a miscarriage. Audrey was depressed, lost weight and smoked heavily. Ferrer immediately joined her and so did Audrey’s Hollywood physician and Marie-Louise Habets – the real-life Sister Luke, whom she had gotten to know during The Nun’s Story – took personal nursing charge of her. After a month, and with the help of an orthopedic brace, Audrey was able to complete the film. Less than six months later, Audrey was pregnant again. She refused all work until the baby was born, turning down West Side Story, The Cardinal, plus a later-shelved Hitchcock film, No Bail For The Judge. She finally accepted Breakfast at Tiffany’s, to be commenced only after the birth.
The Reunion with Father
After a rainstorm on a brilliant Sunday morning, January 17, 1960, at Lucerne’s Municipal Maternity Clinic, Audrey gave birth to a healthy son. They called him Sean, which means, "Gift of God". At some point around this time, Audrey received erroneous news of her father’s death. Investigating the rumors, Mel discovered that he was living in Dublin and he and Audrey visited him there. Ruston was familiar with his daughter’s fame despite their separation, and at age 74 was married again – to a woman 30-odd years his junior. The reunion was bittersweet, but from that time Audrey sent him a monthly check until he died, two decades later.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
The shooting of Breakfast at Tiffany’s took place in New York, followed by some in Hollywood. Audrey guised an amoral teenager blessed with a fashion model’s figure, an income from a notorious racketeer in payment of her weekly visits at Sing and her co-star George Peppard played a not-so struggling young writer. It opened in October, doing less well than the studio hoped, although it did exert a significant cultural influence. For this role, Audrey was nominated for her fourth Oscar, but again did not win. But the annual film critic’s poll conducted by the American Film Daily trade magazine named her Best Actress of the Year, and in Italy the judges for the prestigious David of Donatella awards proclaimed her the Best Non-Italian Actress seen in Italy that year.
The Children’s Hour
In 1961, Audrey’s next film was The Children’s Hour, which reunited her with William Wyler. The film was based on Lillian Hellman’s famous play. The subject of this tragic drama was latent lesbianism, first brought into open by a willful 12-year-old child, who accuses Audrey and her co-star Shirley Maclaine, the two headmistresses of girls’ school of having unnatural attraction for each other. During the Hollywood shoot, Audrey’s dog, Famous, was run over on Wiltshire Boulevard. Mel quickly assuaged her grief by presenting her with a new dog, Sam. The New York Couture group, which had already announced 12 best dressed women for year 1961, elevated Audrey to its Best Dressed Hall of Fame. The Ferrers then returned to Europe, with Mel departing soon after to Paris for a part in The Longest Day.
Paris When It Sizzles
In 1962, Audrey shot for Paris When it Sizzles in Paris. Hepburn and her lead, William Holden, were brought together to fulfill Paramount’s contractual commitments. Wildly over budget on completion, its creative failure meant that it was shelved, only to be released two years later. Audrey stayed on in Paris for Charade. She was finally teamed up with co-star Cary Grant, who had already twice rejected working with Audrey (Sabrina, Love in the Afternoon), as he had been uncomfortable with the age gap. The film became her biggest box office hit as of that time. Charade, which cost three million dollars, was an improbable Hitchcockian comedy-thriller. After eight months working without a break, Audrey concluded the filming of Charade. The Ferrers returned home in Switzerland. In May 1963, she sang "Happy Birthday, dear Jack" at President Kennedy’s 46th birthday party.
My Fair Lady
After months of negotiations between Kurt Frings, her agent, and Warner Brothers, Audrey gained the lead role in My Fair Lady. Rex Harrison was Henry Higgins, an arrogant professor of Phonetics who sets out to teach Eliza Doolittle – Audrey, a cockney flower girl to speak language of Shakespeare and Milton and present her as duchess at an Embassy Ball. He succeeds, but in the process hopelessly falls in love with his protégéé. The decision was controversial : producer Jack Warner determined that Audrey Hepburn was a better choice for such a costly film than Broadway’s lead, Julie Andrews – at that time a virtual cinematic unknown.
Hard work for My Fair Lady and disappointment
Audrey studied singing and learned Cockney accent for several months. She admitted that this role was the most difficult characterization she had ever undertaken. Having recorded vocal tracks for the film herself, Audrey was shocked to find that Marni Nixon would dub her. This dogged her to the Oscars where she failed to receive a nomination in the Best Actress category, eventually won by Julie Andrews in her film debut, Mary Poppins.
How to Steal a Million
In 1965, Audrey teamed up again with director William Wyler, in Paris, for How to Steal a Million. An art museum in Paris is robbed of a piece of sculpture, ostensibly worth a fortune. The sculpture is a forgery though the motives of the thieves Audrey and co-star Peter O’ Toole – cinema’s new ‘wild man’ is honorable. On completing the shoot, the Ferrers exchanged their Bürgenstock home for one in the village of Tolochenaz-sur-Morges. It was called "La Paisible," which translates as ‘the peaceful place.’ They also purchased a winter home in Marbella. Audrey found herself pregnant again, but a month later miscarried.
Two for the Road
After turning down many scripts, Audrey accepted Two for the Road in 1966. Set in sunny, blue-sky locations ranging from the French Riviera northward to Paris and beyond, it covered 12 years of a couple whose marriage is heading for the rocks. She was cast opposite Albert Finney. The film utilized Audrey in nearly every scene and she had no time with her family.
Wait Until Dark
Mel elected to stay at home with Sean, and worked on a deal with Frings to secure Wait Until Dark for his wife. Next year; Audrey shot for Wait Until Dark, with her husband as producer. It was a million dollars up front for Audrey, in this film adaptation of Fredrick Knott’s long running Broadway suspense drama, about a commercial photographer who unwittingly smuggles a drug filled doll into New York. Murderous crooks terrorize his blind wife, played by Audrey in film who is alone in the flat. Efrem Zimbalist Jr is cast as her husband with Alan Arkin, Richard Crenna and Jack Weston as her tormentors. Emotionally, the film was difficult as Audrey was privately coping with the disintegration of her marriage. Also, she worked so hard that she lost almost 15 pounds while filming.
However, the film got her an Oscar nomination. Audrey wanted to spend time with her family and look after her son. But Mel was reluctant at this. He wanted her to carry on acting. In September 1968, the announcement came that Audrey and Mel were living apart. Audrey didn’t wish to continue work and so asked Frings not to send her any more scripts. Three months later, on November 21, they separated in black and white. Details were kept secret, but Audrey retained custody of Sean and the home in Tolochenaz. Tolochenaz became Audrey’s world. Occasionally, she would venture for a brief liaison with Prince Alfanso de Bourbon-Dampierre or with Spanish bullfighter Antonio Ordonez; but in general, remained secluded in her beloved farmhouse perched above Lake Geneva.
Remarriage
Audrey met Dr Andrea Dotti, an Italian psychiatrist-neurologist, on a private cruise. By the end of the cruise, the passionate young Roman had won her heart. On January 18, 1969, Audrey married Andrea Dotti who was nine years her junior. The couple settled down in Rome, with Sean enrolled in a bilingual school there. Audrey gave birth to a son, Luca. She busied herself in mother’s real life and was almost ‘retired’.
She turned down Forty Carats and Nicholas and Alexandria because she thought herself too old. Finally, she became more interested in her husband’s profession, accompanied him on lectures and other job-related missions. Early in 1971, Audrey worked on an UNICEF television special and the next year, on a series of Japanese wig commercials.
Robin and Marian
Audrey made a comeback with Robin and Marian in 1975, to star opposite Sean Connery. A reason for choosing this film was that Sean and Luca, thrilled with the idea of meeting big stars, had persuaded her. Robin and Marian was filmed in Spain, in six weeks – a pace she was unaccustomed to in her experience from earlier films. Fans and critics welcomed her return, although reviews of the film were mixed.
Extortion
Once the movie was completed, the couple started to receive anonymous kidnapping threats for Sean and Luca. For safety, Audrey relocated them to Switzerland. Soon afterward, there was an attempt to abduct Dr Dotti as he left his clinic but his cries attracted security guards, which foiled the attempt. Audrey needed no further inducement to remain in Tolochenaz.
Dotti, meanwhile, was going out with young women; and, embarrassingly, his outings were duly recorded in the newspapers. Although confidantes knew of Audrey’s unhappiness, she continued to protect their marriage by insisting that they had their differences, yet, they were "basically happy."
Bloodline
Audrey agreed to star in the Sidney Sheldon thriller, Bloodline about a 30ish heiress who takes over a pharmaceutical business and becomes the target for a psychopathic mass murderer. After shooting, Audrey returned to Rome. The film was a critical disaster.
They All Laughed
In January 1980, Audrey decided on a small role in Peter Bogdanovich’s comedy, They All Laughed, filmed in Manhattan. Sean Ferrer doubled as production assistant and had a small acting role. Audrey played a European tycoon’s lonely wife who goes to New York City for a short interlude of romance and escape. Gossips about Audrey’s affairs with co-star Ben Gazzara and then Peter Bogdanovich were in the air. They All Laughed was critically acclaimed at the Venice Film Festival.
Robert Wolder
In September 1980, Dotti’s stepfather announced the long-anticipated news that the marriage between Audrey and Dr Dotti officially ended. Audrey had already met Robert Wolders, a handsome Dutchman, a former actor and producer, with whom she found much common ground, from mutual interests to similar European backgrounds. Robert Wolder was seven years younger to Audrey. News of her father’s serious illness brought Audrey and Wolders closer together as he accompanied her on the emotionally difficult trip to Dublin to visit him for the last time. He died three days after their arrival. Wolders eventually moved in with Audrey at La Paisible. By now Audrey was looking after her elderly mother, now a frail invalid. In 1982, the Dotti divorce was finalized; although Audrey didn’t make any attempt to legalize her relationship with Wolders.
Gardens of the World
Audrey’s life was simple as well as peaceful at the ‘La Paisible’. She was writing a book Gardens of the World. Wolders accompanied Audrey to Los Angeles for the American Film Institute Tribute to Fred Astaire, as well as to other parts of the world on other missions.
The Baroness’ Death
On August 26, 1984, Baroness Ella van Heemstra died at La Paisible at the age of 84. It left Audrey bereft: "I was lost without my mother. She had been my sounding board, my conscience. She was not the most affectionate person – in fact there were times when I thought she was cold – but she loved me in her heart, and I knew that all along. I never got that feeling from my father, unfortunately."
Audrey, A Mother-in-Law
Sean Ferrer got married in 1985, making Audrey a mother-in-law, although the relationship only lasted until 1989. Audrey attended the ceremony with Wolders, while Mel was also present with Lisa, his wife of 14 years. As parents of the groom, Audrey and Mel danced together for the first time in 17 years.
Directed by William Wyler and Love Among Thieves
In summer 1986, Audrey was among notables interviewed for Directed by William Wyler, a well-received documentary tribute produced by Wyler’s daughter. Audrey made the television movie, Love Among Thieves, opposite Richard Wagner in 1987. The two-hour comedy drama showed Audrey as a renowned concert pianist with an aristocratic background who steals the priceless Faberge egg collection as ransom for her kidnapped fiancé. It attracted mostly negative reviews and was Audrey’s last role.
Goodwill Ambassador
On March 9, 1988, Audrey was officially appointed Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, an organization she had previously helped with fundraising events. With both sons now living away from home (Luca now lived with his father in Rome), the role reflected her ability to devote herself more fully to this work. In her new UNICEF role, accompanied by Wolders, Audrey visited Macao and then Japan, after which offers poured in from UNICEF committees all over the world requesting her appearances.
The Hard Field-Trip Assignments
Audrey spent much of the year 1988 on field-trip assignments for UNICEF – visiting some of the worst affected places in the world. Much of this work was very hard, especially in third-world countries, where situations were frequently dangerous as well as rugged. In March, Audrey’s first field-trip assignment was in Ethiopia, where the world’s attention was desperately needed to help prevent millions from starving. In August, Audrey visited Turkey, and to South America in October.
Danny Kaye International Children’s Special
Starting in 1988, and running each year until 1992, Audrey hosted with Roger Moore the Danny Kaye International Children’s Special in Holland, which was broadcast worldwide and drew enormous donations. In February 1989, Audrey traveled to Central America, pleading the case for children in a series of meetings with chief executives from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. In April, Audrey, representing UNICEF, testified in Washington DC before the House Select Subcommittee on Hunger. Just days after this, Audrey was in Sudan overseeing UNICEF’s work there. Of her work for UNICEF, Audrey once said : "I have been given the privilege of speaking for children who cannot speak for themselves, and my task is an easy one because children have no political enemies. To save a child is a blessing : to save a million is a God-given opportunity." Audrey performed in a series of benefit concerts for UNICEF, reading selections from The Diary of Anne Frank, integrated with an original orchestral work by Michael Tilson Thomas. It toured five US cities, with a future performance with the London Symphony Orchestra taking place in 1991.
Gardens of the World and Concert for Peace
Audrey shot for the television series, Gardens of the World, beginning in Holland – the first of many different locations around the world. In October, Audrey made another UNICEF field trip, to Vietnam – a trip that received little coverage in the US. Audrey traveled that year also to Norway to co-host the "Concert for Peace," with Jimmy Carter, Francois Mitterand and Nelson Mandela among the participants. She also spoke at UNICEF’s Universal Child Immunization kickoff ceremony in Rome. Audrey hosted the PBS Special The Fred Astaire Songbook. Gardens of the World also aired and Audrey made an appearance at a Manhattan store to sign copies of the book, which accompanied the series.
To War-torn Somalia
In June 1991, Audrey made her second congressional appearance, to urge a boost in aid for Africa. In 1992, at the Academy Awards ceremony, Audrey presented an honorary Oscar to Indian director Satyajit Ray. In September, Audrey traveled to war-torn Somalia. Audrey would later say, "I walked into a nightmare : the country is in anarchy, and most of the population starving. "
The Ailments
After Somalia, Audrey and Rob returned to Switzerland. Before her next few engagements, and a planned Mediterranean holiday, Audrey wished to see Sean and so they flew to California, first staying with friend Connie Wald. Audrey again fell sick. This time it was serious. She had to go in for a surgery for colon cancer. The sons joined her. However, she wished to spend Christmas back at ‘La Paisible’ in Tolochenaz, and a private jet was arranged to take her back.
Last Days at ‘La Paisible’
Audrey spent the last months at ‘La Paisible’, occasionally strong enough for short walks in her beloved garden. Before leaving Los Angeles, Audrey received news from the Screen Actors Guild that she was to be the January recipient of the SAG Achievement Award – later accepted on her behalf at the ceremony by Julia Roberts. When back in Switzerland, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for 1992 for her UNICEF work, delivered in person by the US ambassador to Switzerland.
The Finale
In 1993, around New Year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that Audrey will be given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the ceremony in April. Sean Ferrer accepted it on her behalf.
Prayer for Audrey
Mother Teresa ordered a 24-hour prayer vigil at her Calcutta mission where nuns took turns to pray in three hour shifts for the star who had devoted years to helping the hungry and homeless.
Death of the Fair Lady
On January 20, 1993, Audrey Hepburn died in her sleep. In attendance at the funeral were her two sons and Rob Wolders, her brother Ian Quarles von Ufford, Dr Andrea Dotti, Hubert de Givenchy, executives of UNICEF, actor friends Alain Delon and Roger Moore, and Mel Ferrer. Maurice Eindiguer, the pastor who had married Hepburn and Ferrer 39 years earlier, presided over the funeral. The beautiful princess of silver screen lies peacefully at Tolochenaz-sur-Morges. A person, who struggled to live and went over a journey of fame, prosperity coupled with pains, served the destitutes. Even in her last moments, she remembered the children of Somalia. Audrey was an excellent artisan, plus, a lover of humanity.
• I probably hold the distinction of being one movie star who, by all laws of logic, should never have made it. At each stage of my career, I lacked the experience.
• I’m not a born actress, as such, I care about expressing feelings.
• I never thought I’d land in pictures with a face like mine.
• I was asked to act when I couldn’t act. I was asked to sing ‘Funny Face’ when I couldn’t sing and dance with Fred Astaire when I
couldn’t dance - and do all kinds of things I wasn’t prepared for. Then I tried like mad to cope with it.
• I was born with something that appealed to an audience at that particular time...I acted instinctively. I’ve had one of the greatest schools of all - a whole row of great, great directors.
• My career is a complete mystery to me. It’s been a total surprise since the first day. I never thought I was going to be an actress, I thought I was going to be in movies, I never thought it would all happen the way it did.
• I never think of myself as an icon. What is in other people’s minds is not in my mind. I just do my thing.
• Upon seeing her name in lights for the Broadway production of Gigi : "Oh dear, and I’ve still got to learn how to act."
• After making it big on Broadway : "If I blow my nose, it gets written all over the world."
• I am proud to have been in a business that gives pleasure, creates beauty, and awakens our conscience, arouses compassion, and perhaps most importantly, gives millions a respite from our so violent world.
• Audrey on Dolls : "They are so silly. They just never seemed real to me."
• Accepting the 1953 Best Actress Oscar for Roman Holiday : "...it’s like when somebody gives you something to wear that’s too big, and you have to grow into it...my one ambition is to be an actress. "
• I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it.
• When my marriage to Mel broke up, it was terrible; more than that, it was a keen disappointment. I thought a marriage between two good, loving people had to last until one of them died. I can’t tell you how
disillusioned I was. I’d tried and tried.
• I was lost without my mother. She had been my sounding board, my conscience. She was not the most affectionate person - in fact there were times when I thought she was cold - but she loved me in her heart, and I knew that all along. I never got that feeling from my father, unfortunately.
• It’s that wonderful old-fashioned idea that others come first and you come second. This was the whole ethic by which I was brought up. Others matter more than you do, so ‘don’t fuss, dear; get on with it.’
• Audrey on UNICEF : "I’m glad I’ve got a name, because I’m using it for what it’s worth. It’s like a bonus that my career has given me."
• I have been given the privilege of speaking for children who cannot speak for themselves, and my task is an easy one because children have no political enemies. To save a child is a blessing : to save a million is a God-given opportunity.
• To Barbara Walters : "My look is attainable. Women can look like Audrey Hepburn by flipping out their hair, buying the large sunglasses, and the little sleeveless dresses."
ON AUDREY
There was proof that looking good need not be synonymous with looking bimbo. Thanks to their first glimpse of Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, half a generation of young females stopped stuffing their bras and teetering on stiletto heels.
– New York Times
• Audrey was always entirely certain of who she was and how she wanted us to see her.
-Time Magazine
• She had a quality no other actress had : a curious combination of lady and pixie. She was a joy to work with- enormous talent and no ego.
– Sidney Sheldon, Writer
• God has a most beautiful new angel.
– Elizabeth Taylor
• Most people think of Audrey Hepburn as regal. I like to think of her as spunky. It was my good luck to be her first screen fellow, to hold out my hand and help her keep her balance while she made everybody in the world fall in love with her.
– Gregory Peck
• Considering that you have no talent, it’s really extraordinary where you’ve gotten.
– Audrey’s Mother, Ella Van Heemstra
• We pleaded with her to rest and not push herself too hard, but she refused. She insisted on taking a grueling 24-hour trip by Land Rover to a refugee camp at Baydhabo (Somalia), where hundreds of children had died.
– An UN official in Somalia
