Early Life
Audrey Hepburn’s actual name was Audrey Kathleen Ruston. She didn’t start calling herself Audrey Hepburn until 1948. The screen legend and fashion icon spoke six languages — English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Dutch. Audrey Hepburn started dancing at the tender age of five and by 1944, the actress had become a proficient ballet dancer. She collected money for the Dutch resistance by secretly dancing for groups of people.
Although Audrey Hepburn had a petite frame, her feet were larger than you’d expect. She reportedly bought her signature ballet flats half a size larger to avoid a squeezed-in look and actually wore a size 10.
On-screen Legend
Truman Capote’s first choice for Holly Golight wasn’t Audrey Hepburn. He had his heart set on Marilyn Monroe but she refused the part as her advisor and acting coach Paula Strasberg didn’t want her to play a “lady of the evening.”
Audrey Hepburn, a member of the EGOT club, is one of 24 people in the world who have won a Grammy (“Audrey Hepburn’s Enchanted Tales”), an Emmy (“Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn”), a Tony (Best Actress, “Ondine”), and an Oscar (Best Actress, “Roman Holiday”).
A Tribute
As a mark of tribute to the actress’ career and longtime work, a new hybrid breed of Tulip was named after Audrey Hepburn.
According to the Netherlands Flower Information Society, the tulip was a tribute to Hepburn on behalf of UNICEF.