Audrey Hepburn–a film legend, a symbol of elegance, and a beauty icon— would have turned 88 today. We love this Breakfast at Tiffany’s star for multiple reasons, one of which is because she proved the world that she’s more than a pretty face. Below are 5 facts about Audrey that you probably didn’t know– and FYI, she’s more badass than you think.
5. Audrey Hepburn was not her real name
Wait, what? Her real name was Audrey Kathleen Ruston, but during World War II in 1940, she adopted the pseudonym Edda Van Heemstra to avoid an English sounding name.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
4. She danced ballet to collect money for the Dutch resistance
Despite her parents being Nazi supporters, Audrey Hepburn worked for the Dutch resistance by hiding secret messages inside her ballet shoes, and delivering them from one group to another. To help raise funds for the rebels, she also performed ballet in front of audiences who would not applaud after the show to avoid getting the German soldiers’ attention.
Photo from goodhousekeeping.com
3. She had a pet deer
Of course, fans knew she had a yorkshire named Mr.Famous, but we bet you didn’t know she also had a pet fawn. In 1959, while creating the movie Green Mansions (directed by her then-husband Mil Ferrer), an animal trainer requested that she take her on-screen sidekick, Pipin the deer, home so they could bond in preparation for the film. The two eventually became inseparable.
Photo by Bob Willoughby, 1978 (mptvimages.com)
2. She won all four major awards: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony
One of the most coveted achievements in Hollywood is to be part of the EGOT club–that is, a group of artists who have won all 4 major awards. Audrey Hepburn is part of the 12 people have attained this so far. She won an Emmy for hosting the documentary Garden’s of the World with Audrey Hepburn, a Grammy for the spoken world album Audrey Hepburn’s Enchanted Tales, an Oscar for best actress in the film Roman Holiday, and a Tony for best actress in Ondine.
Photo from rareaudreyhepburn.com
1. She was a goodwill ambassador of UNICEF
Audrey Hepburn devoted her final years to the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF. During her appointment as Goodwill Ambassador in 1989, she mentioned that she was grateful for UNICEF because she was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II.
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