From Starving to Stardom: The Deleted Scenes of Audrey Hepburn’s Life

If you were to go to the Tiffany and Co. store on 5th Avenue on any given morning, you might find groups of women laughing and talking over a croissant and coffee. This charming tradition is due to none other than Audrey Hepburn, whose iconic portrayal of Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s is still revered today. Like many celebrities, Hepburn’s legacy is centered around the feats that brought her fame, with significant moments overlooked in their shadow. What fans may not know is that before Hepburn’s face was plastered on movie posters, it was hiding her terror as she witnessed German tanks invade her country. Rising from a childhood filled with trauma and turmoil, she became an icon of beauty, strength, and talent for onlookers from around the world to admire. After retiring from acting, Hepburn turned her attention to global crises such as starvation and inadequate education, specifically among women and children. Her selfless acts changed the lives of so many, but those that consider themselves fans of Hepburn rarely realize these achievements. Audrey Hepburn should not only be remembered as a notorious figure, but also for the adversity she faced and her career as a humanitarian with The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

When one hears the name Audrey Hepburn, they immediately envision the dark hair, sharp cheekbones, and charming smile that contribute to her allure. Unbeknownst to most, Hepburn began her career as a model, where the public became infatuated with her ideal height, thin frame, and striking face. In the words of comedian Bob Monkouse: “Even if she just jumped up and down the audience would still be attracted to her […] she seemed too pretty” (Harris 65). Mesmerized by Hepburn’s elegance and refined features, contemporary producers were willing to overlook her inexperience as she transitioned into acting.

Featured in over thirty films, Hepburn was a dynamic actress who could play any role from a lovestruck teenager in Sabrina to a soul-searching nun in A Nun’s Story. Regardless of the character, Hepburn brought dedication and spirit to any set she worked on. As colleague Fred Zinnemann described, “I have never seen anyone more disciplined, more gracious, or more dedicated to her work than Audrey” (Harris 160). From the moment Hepburn landed the leading role in Gigi on Broadway, she attracted attention from directors, actors, and Hollywood executives alike. Though Gigi received mixed reviews, Hepburn earned only praise for her performance. The Inquirer’s Henry Murdoch wrote, “[she is] an actress of the first rank. Miss Hepburn has real talent and a remarkable personality” (Harris 86). Despite her lack of formal training, Hepburn’s acting artistry ascended all expectations, earning her an Academy Award, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, and three Golden Globes. In Figure 1, Hepburn holds her Academy Award for Roman Holiday, her very first film, and is surrounded by photographers and journalists eager for a moment of her attention (Smiedt). As her career took off, Hepburn quickly became one of the most recognized and respected actresses across the globe.

Though her fame brought many luxuries and rewards, the negative aspects of such glory also took their toll. As Hepburn’s career flourished, the media controlled how her life was portrayed to the public, often overlooking the personal struggles she faced as wife and mother. During her first marriage, she suffered two miscarriages and a stillborn child before giving birth to her first son, Sean. The emotional toll of her losses was immeasurable, yet she was barely allowed time to grieve and process, forced to put on a happy face in public. Her relationship with her first husband Mel Ferrer ended in 1967, the same year she earned her 5th Academy Award nomination. Her nomination suggested she was thriving, but, in reality, her marriage was falling apart. To make matters worse, Hepburn’s father left the family when she was six, permanently scarring her. She once admitted, “that feeling has stayed with me through my own relationships. When I fell in love and married, I lived in constant fear of being left” (Harris 19). Despite the mental and physical strain from her relationships, her work remained impeccable, revealing her tenacious character. While Hepburn’s acting legacy is well deserved and indisputable, it often overshadows the vital off-screen moments that shaped her ambitions and resilience.

Hepburn became a strong, tenacious, and kind-hearted person as a result of the trauma she faced as an adolescent. When World War II began, Hepburn’s mother withdrew her from school and moved her to Holland, which she believed would be a safer place. Despite Holland’s neutrality, the Nazis quickly invaded, occupying the streets Hepburn called home. She recalled: “There’s so many images that will never go away. I saw German tanks come in for hours, marching, driving […] There was a knock on the door and they took my uncle away, who six months later was shot, and another uncle too” (Collection 00:11:21-00:11:40). In addition to this trauma, Hepburn’s physical health deteriorated when food supplies were cut off. Hepburn and her family faced starvation, forced to eat tulip bulbs to survive, and at times became so weak they could not get out of bed (Harris 46). After almost being taken off the streets and sent to a work camp, Hepburn was forced to hide in the ruins of a building. Exposed and alone, she became very ill and contracted jaundice and developed edema in addition to the anemia and respiratory problems she had already contracted (Harris 44). By the end of the war, she stood five feet and six inches tall and weighed only eighty eight pounds. The slim figure she is known for (and that so many envied) was often thought to be a result of an eating disorder; however, after surviving starvation, Hepburn actually had a great appreciation for food and would often diet to gain weight, not to lose it. Her son Luca Dotti recalled: “People think because she was skinny that she had an eating disorder, but it’s not true. She loved Italian food and pasta. She ate… a little bit of everything” (Warner and McNeil). It is important that her legacy expands to include this adversity: her figure is something that others should respect rather than covet, as it is a token of her strength and survival.

Starvation and strife were not the only misfortunes that tested Hepburn’s steadfast character. At a young age, she was forced to stand up for her principles in the face of authority and family. Born to Nazi sympathizing parents who were members of the British Union of Fascists, Hepburn rejected her parents’ beliefs and followed her own morals to support the Resistance in Holland. Though Hepburn’s mother eventually abandoned her fascist politics, her father never did and eventually faced imprisonment for his actions. Despite this history, Hepburn was eager to do her part in supporting the Resistance. Classically trained in ballet, Hepburn hosted underground ballet recitals. Even though these environments were so hostile that the audience could not even clap for fear of being discovered, she persisted and donated all of her earnings to the Resistance. She even acted as a courier for the organization, carting important documents from one location to another (Harris 37). The tragedies Hepburn endured are enough to leave anyone disturbed for years, but she eventually harnessed these childhood experiences to spur her professional passions.

After retiring from acting, Hepburn began a new career as a humanitarian ambassador with UNICEF. During her time with this nonprofit, she traveled to over twenty countries and visited over fifty of their projects around the world. Her acting career proved to be beneficial, as she used her fame to raise awareness and money for issues and her poise to speak in front of audiences and even Congress on UNICEF’s behalf. In 1990 Hepburn spearheaded Concerts for Life, a string of orchestral concerts across the US and in London, the funds of which were donated to UNICEF (Harris 284).

Hepburn’s own experiences as a deprived child remained with her through her prosperity, motivating her to ensure that no one else had to experience the same. She focused on improving educational opportunities for children and ending childhood starvation around the world. In an interview, she explained “I’ve known UNICEF all my life, and I’ve admired and trusted them all this time. It’s a marvelous happening for me that they’re allowing me to do this” (News 00:02:42-00:02:57). UNICEF came to Hepburn’s aid when she was withering under oppressive conditions, and these childhood experiences embedded in her an intrinsic sense of empathy, and the pain of others touched her deeply: “I’ve been so privileged to be given this opportunity to do something for children […] I’ve been so pent up with that feeling that most of us have, which is you can’t do anything, and the idea that now I can, however little, is a great relief” (News 00:01:04-00:01:14). Hepburn’s work with UNICEF made a real, tangible impact on the lives of those living in poverty. As illustrated in Figure 2, Hepburn was loved by the children she visited at UNICEF Projects. Her presence brightened their lives, and her efforts improved their living conditions. Hepburn was not only an actress; she was also a hero who worked tirelessly to improve world conditions.

From the streets of Holland, to the screens of Hollywood, and the schoolyards of Ethiopia, Audrey Hepburn touched the lives of everyone who watched or met her. Today, the public’s memory of her remains incomplete, focusing more so on her acting and fame than her charity and childhood. Fans and biographers must not overlook her tumultuous youth, bittersweet personal life, and commendable relief work. Legacies can change, and as these obscure elements of her life are exposed, her memory will change from simply an admired public figure to one that is resilient, strong, and who we can all strive to embody.

Works Cited

“Audrey Hepburn.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 28 Apr. 2017, http://www.biography.com/people/audrey-hepburn-9335788.

“Audrey Hepburn Biography.” Biography Online, http://www.biographyonline.net/humanitarian/audrey_hepburn.html.

Bibel, Sara. “6 Lesser-Known Facts About Audrey Hepburn.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 13 June 2016, www.biography.com/news/audrey-hepburn-facts-biography.

Collection, The Hollywood. Audrey Hepburn: Remembered. YouTube, 23 Feb. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=zahSEExjjFs.

Harris, Warren G. Audrey Hepburn: a Biography. Simon & Schuster, 1994.

News, Global. Audrey Hepburn on Ethiopia and UNICEF. YouTube, 8 Nov. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=zorxr3IaksM.

Smiedt, David. “Elfin Prototype For Many: Audrey Hepburn.” VINTAGESTYLE.eu, 8 June 2017, http://vintagestyle.eu/elfin-prototype-many-audrey-hepburn/.

UNICEF, http://www.unicef.org/specialsession/photoessays/audrey/photo6.htm.

Walsh, Becky. “Audrey Hepburn: From Beauty to Humanitarian.” The Edge, 11 Apr. 2017, http://www.theedgesusu.co.uk/features/2017/04/10/audrey-hepburn-from-beauty-to-humanitarian/.

Warner, Kara, and Liz McNeil. “The Truth About Audrey Hepburn’s Slim Figure – and How She Nearly Starved to Death During WWII.” PEOPLE.com, Time Inc, 16 Aug. 2017, http://www.people.com/movies/the-truth-about-audrey-hepburns-slim-figure-and-how-she-nearly-starved-to-death-during-wwii/.