-
Birth
Aubrey Kathleen Van Heemstra Ruston was born in Brussels to her Dutch mother, Ella Van Heemstra, and British father, Joseph Hepburn-Ruston. She had two step-siblings from her mothers' previous marriage, Alexander and Ian. -
Audrey's Father Leaves Her
At the young age of six, Audrey's father walks out of her life. He settles in England where he won't see her for another 25 years. Three years later, her parents will get a formal divorce, where, upon Audrey's pleading, her father is given "visitation rights". He never exercises them. Audrey will later go on to reveal her fathers' absence as, "one of the most traumatic events in my life." -
Audreys Family Moves back to Holland
After the beginning of WWII, Audrey’s mother moves her family back to neutral Holland, mistakenly thinking it will be safer than England. Not long after, almost all of the Van Heemstra's property is taken from them and they are left with virtually nothing. Audrey continues to practice her ballet, until her body is too weak from malnutrition to continue.
The above image are Audrey's grandparents, and below is their house where they stayed in Holland. -
Dutch in Seven Lessons
Audrey Hepburn’s first ever appearance on film was in the Dutch film, Dutch in Seven Lessons. She played a non-speaking role of a stewardess, Although sometimes listed as a short film, it was originally 79 minutes long, but was cut to 39 minutes for its English release.
After her appearance in this film, she decided to move to Hollywood to try to test her luck in American film. It was then, of course, her career took off. -
Roman Holiday
Audrey 's third film, Roman Holiday is a big success. She later wins her first Oscar for Best Actress for this film. -
The Unforgiv(ing)en Back Ache
While shooting her 1959 film, The Unforgiven, Audrey falls off her horse and breaks her back. Four broken vertebrae, torn back muscles, and a sprained foot later, she is hospitalized for one month, then finished filming the movie.
Later that year, she miscarries her baby due to her back injury. -
Sean Hepburn Ferrer is Born to Aubrey
During Audrey's marriage with Mel Ferrer, Audrey's first son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer is born. Now 65, he is a film producer best known for Ironweed (1987), Blood In, Blood Out (1993), and Racehoss (2001). -
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Audrey Hepburn stars in one of her most famous roles, Breakfast at Tiffany's. She was paid $750,000 for the job (roughly 5.9 million today). The role she played was a rambunctious party girl, and is thought to have had some influence over the change of how women were regarded by society at the time. -
Luca Dotti is Born to Audrey Hepburn
Ten years after her first son, Sean, Audrey has her second child with Andrea Dotti, Luca Dotti. He is now 46, and has written a book about his memories of his mother, Audrey at Home: Memories of My Mother's Kitchen -
UNICEF
After experiencing many of the horrors of the Second World War, and being one of the millions of children to be assisted by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Audrey donated much of her time and money to the association. She went on several missions all around the world and served as a Goodwill Ambassador until her tragic death in 1993. -
Death
Tragically, on January 10, 1993, Audrey Hepburn died in Tolochnaz, Switzerland due to appendicular cancer. She never stopped trying to make a difference and her elegance and grace will forever be remembered in Hollywood as one of the most beautiful and influential movie stars of all time.
