Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Kathleen Ruston-Hepburn was born on May 4, 1929, in Brussels, Belgium. She was, of course, an actress, model, dancer, and humanitarian. Her mother was a Dutch baroness, and her childhood was privileged. That stopped when the family lost their money during World War II. After that, she started ballet lessons, first in Amsterdam, and later in London. She began her career as a chorus girl in West End productions, but finally, she got her first big break, being cast as the title character in the play Gigi. Her first starring role in a film was in Roman Holiday opposite Gregory Peck. For that, she won an Academy Award, a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts), and a Golden Globe award, all for best actress. She went on to star in films opposite such leading men as Humphrey Bogart, William Holden, Fred Astaire, Mel Ferrer (to whom she was married for a while), Henry Fonda, Burt Lancaster, and Cary Grant, among others. For me, at least, I will always remember her roles as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady.

But will all the critical acclaim of her career, it was as a humanitarian she was best known in later life. She became a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. Making more than 50 trips, Hepburn visited UNICEF projects in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. Unlike so many celebrities who are looking for a photo op, she was genuinely concerned about the plight of children. She won a special Academy Award for her humanitarian work, but she did not live long enough to receive it. Hepburn died on January 20, 1993. Her work goes on even today through the Audrey Hepburn Society, at the US Fund for UNICEF.

And no, she is not related to Katharine Hepburn, which I had always assumed until working on this blog.

Quotes by Audrey Hepburn

I have learnt how to live…how to be in the world and of the world, and not just to stand aside and watch.

The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. If you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of each of your arms.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.

Nothing is impossible; the word itself says ‘I’m possible!’

Never regret anything that makes you smile.

For me the only things of interests are those linked to the heart

Laughing is the best calorie burner.

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.

Since the world has existed, there has been injustice. But it is one world, the more so as it becomes smaller, more accessible. There is just no question that there is more obligation that those who have should give to those who have nothing.

My greatest victory has been to be able to live with myself, to accept my shortcomings. I’m a long way from the human being I’d liked to be, but I’ve decided I’m not so bad after all.

Let’s face it, a nice creamy chocolate cake does a lot for a lot of people; it does for me.

Giving is living. If you stop wanting to give, there’s nothing more to live for.

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