7 Facts About Audrey Hepburn That Likely Won’t Leave You Indifferent

You would never think the elegant Audrey Hepburn — the actress known for classics like Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany’s — had suffered from hunger as a child, but she did. After surviving what felt inhumane, Hepburn took it upon herself to help other people. “The best thing to hold onto in life is each other,” she would say. We love this actress so much that we couldn’t help but write another article about her.

1. She experienced starvation.

It’s long been rumored that Audrey Hepburn had disordered eating, but her family has insisted that her famously slim figure was actually a result of growing up during hard times. She suffered profoundly during 1939-1945.

2. She was a UNICEF Special Ambassador.

As Ambassador, Hepburn traveled to communities in more than 20 countries. Hepburn visited areas where children and families needed food, clean water, and immunization, such as Turkey, Ecuador, Honduras, Sudan, Bangladesh, and Somalia. She traveled, reported on what she observed, appeared in public, and raised money for UNICEF using her name and image to promote the need for food relief.

3. She was an introvert.

Hepburn didn’t like the spotlight or being surrounded by groups of fans and entourages. She even labeled herself an introvert. She was once quoted as saying, “I have to be alone very often. I’d be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That’s how I refuel.”

4. She never thought of herself as beautiful.

According to an interview by Vanity Fair, Hepburn’s son, Lucca Dotti, had expressed that his mother didn’t know why people thought she was beautiful. Dotti said, “She thought she had a big nose and big feet, and she was too skinny and didn’t have enough breasts. She would look in the mirror and say, ’I don’t understand why people see me as beautiful.’”

5. Audrey Hepburn is not her real name.

The actor will go down as one of the most legendary performers of all time. However, Hepburn wasn’t even her real last name. She was born Audrey Kathleen Ruston, and her family called her Adriaantje. The actress adорtеd thе pseudonym Edda van Heemstra in 1940 because the “English-sounding” nаmе wаs considered dangerous durіng thе that time.

6. She didn’t find herself to be a style icon.

She once said, “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.”

She also considered her style to be quite accessible. “My appearance is accessible to everyone. With hair tied in a bun, big sunglasses, and a black dress, every woman can look like me,” she said.

7. She was awarded the Medal of Freedom.

In 1992, Hepburn’s career as an actor and activist was honored with the Medal of Freedom, the US’s highest civilian honor. During the ceremony, Hepburn was praised, as her “work with the International Children’s Emergency Fund put her in our hearts.” Unfortunately, the actor could not attend the ceremony due to health reasons. She passed away the following year.

Audrey Hepburn went through hell and back but came out a better and stronger woman. Which of these facts amazed you the most? Do you happen to know other little-known facts about her? Share them in the comments!