Without a doubt, Audrey Hepburn is one of the greatest female legends of cinema and I am not surprised. She was a peculiar woman. She not only stood out for how well she acted, but for her way of life, for her love of gardening, and for being an ambassador for Unicef, where she supported the less fortunate. Audrey Hepburn is a symbol of elegance, humility, and female struggle. For that reason, I could not contain my desire to tell you more about this great woman who remains a benchmark for us today, more than 50 years later.
Audrey did not always have it easy. She began life with the abandonment of her father at age six and overcame a Second World War, which made her compare herself to the famous Anne Frank and her diary. When the war ended, Audrey began taking ballet and piano lessons, but the fact that she was too tall (1.70m) pushed her toward acting. She debuted with her film "Secret People" in 1952, though it was not until 1953 with "Roman Holiday" that she was discovered by Paramount. The actress chosen as the lead was supposed to be Elizabeth Taylor, but her charm, innocence, and talent left the director impressed. She continued to stand out in the world of film and theater and even sang happy birthday to the President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, in 1963. Acting in "The Nun's Story" gave her something to think about, and she found many similarities between herself and the protagonist. Hepburn admitted that for her, this had been her best role. Since filming that movie, she was never the same again: she became much more involved in her humanitarian work and in giving everything she could to the most disadvantaged, until the end of her days. Although she has an extensive filmography of up to 30 titles in total, her iconic role will always be "Breakfast at Tiffany's". We will also remember her for her elegance, her talent, and her humble life, always trying to help NGOs.
In "Audrey at Home," written by her son Luca Dotti, we can see how that passion for gardens was absolutely real. This book combines anecdotes, excerpts from her personal correspondence, drawings, and recipes for her favorite dishes written in her own hand. In fact, she even dedicated her last television series precisely to them, in "Gardens of the World." In it, Audrey shows us gardens in 7 different countries of the world. In its 8 episodes, she also shows us the beauty of the rose, the influence of the tulip, the different types of gardens, and offers us a humanistic vision of public gardens, for example.
A unique life
Audrey did not always have it easy. She began life with the abandonment of her father at age six and overcame a Second World War, which made her compare herself to the famous Anne Frank and her diary. When the war ended, Audrey began taking ballet and piano lessons, but the fact that she was too tall (1.70m) pushed her toward acting. She debuted with her film "Secret People" in 1952, though it was not until 1953 with "Roman Holiday" that she was discovered by Paramount. The actress chosen as the lead was supposed to be Elizabeth Taylor, but her charm, innocence, and talent left the director impressed. She continued to stand out in the world of film and theater and even sang happy birthday to the President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, in 1963. Acting in "The Nun's Story" gave her something to think about, and she found many similarities between herself and the protagonist. Hepburn admitted that for her, this had been her best role. Since filming that movie, she was never the same again: she became much more involved in her humanitarian work and in giving everything she could to the most disadvantaged, until the end of her days. Although she has an extensive filmography of up to 30 titles in total, her iconic role will always be "Breakfast at Tiffany's". We will also remember her for her elegance, her talent, and her humble life, always trying to help NGOs.
Her contribution to UNICEF
The absence of love experienced during her childhood meant that Audrey, in her maturity and old age, wanted to share affection with all those who needed it. This is reflected in one of her famous quotes: "I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it". In 1987 she was invited to an international charity music festival. The money raised was donated to UNICEF. Audrey felt a pang of guilt, so she asked if there was anything else she could do."I know perfectly well what UNICEF can mean to children, because I was among those who received food and emergency medical help at the end of the Second World War" - Audrey HepburnThus, Audrey became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Helping those most in need, she traveled to countries such as Vietnam, Turkey, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. She also took part in major events like the World Summit for Children and gave conferences and promotional interviews for UNICEF's work, as clearly marked on their website. She contributed to this organization even when suffering from cancer. She decided to dedicate her final days to trips to Somalia, Kenya, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, and the United States. "Audrey knew better than anyone that the reward for that work is in the eyes of those who need our help," wrote Sir Peter Ustinov in The European.
Her elegance
If Audrey is known for anything, it is for her elegance and poise. She has been admired and imitated by many. Her smile, her large eyes, and her naturalness are what we can highlight most about her. She gave us looks that never go out of style, such as her iconic wardrobe staple: the little black dress, in each of its different options. This dress represents the legendary scene from "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Theories suggest that her natural elegance came from those years of ballet she practiced as a girl, but there is no certainty of this. What we do know is that after the completion of her hit film, a strong relationship was forged between Audrey and Givenchy that lasted the rest of her life.Her vegetable garden
"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow" - Audrey HepburnAudrey lived a life much more reserved and humble than most of the stars in Hollywood, living in houses and cultivating her own vegetable garden. On her 18th-century estate, "Le Paisible," she had a vegetable garden, a flower garden, fruit trees, and a 100-year-old willow tree, which she tended to with all her love. "The most beautiful place in the world" were the words she used to describe this precious estate in Switzerland.
In "Audrey at Home," written by her son Luca Dotti, we can see how that passion for gardens was absolutely real. This book combines anecdotes, excerpts from her personal correspondence, drawings, and recipes for her favorite dishes written in her own hand. In fact, she even dedicated her last television series precisely to them, in "Gardens of the World." In it, Audrey shows us gardens in 7 different countries of the world. In its 8 episodes, she also shows us the beauty of the rose, the influence of the tulip, the different types of gardens, and offers us a humanistic vision of public gardens, for example.