Audrey Hepburn: The Magic of Audrey

There was always something very special about Audrey Hepburn. She was, is, truly an original, and remains an enduring icon of elegance and taste. Around the world, her extraordinary legacy continues to touch millions of people, whether through watching her famous films Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Roman Holiday and My Fair Lady; or through her various charities, which she supported right up until her death from colon cancer in 1993. In many ways, the story of Audrey Hepburn reads a little bit like a fairy tale. She was born in Brussels, Belgium, on the 4th of May, 1929. Her family was well-to-do, with aristocratic connections. From an early age she studied ballet; then moved onto acting when noticed by the right people. Seemingly overnight, the young girl from the chorus line was now in the headlines. She became an award winning screen star; and a world- wide sensation. But as in any fairy tale, Audrey’s story has a dark side. It began in the early 1930’s as Europe was besieged by Hitler’s Germany. Her father left the family and her mother moved them to Holland, where Audrey helped her mother keep their family alive, but only barely. The horrors of war stayed with Audrey, and she used her experiences to help others in need through her charity work for Unicef. In the end, she was as well-known for her compassion as she was for her creative spirit.