Last updated by Abby | 5th July 2018
Audrey Hepburn was a great star and known by almost everyone. She is known for her famous films, like Breakfast at Tiffany's, and as a real fashion icon. She would have celebrated her birthday on 4th May, but her life ended when she was only 63 years old. Almost every moment in her adult life was documented, but there are still a lot of things we don’t know about her. Here are 10 facts you can cross off that list now.
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3. Her real name was not Audrey Hepburn
When she was born on 4th May, 1929 in Brussels, she was named Audrey Kathleen Ruston. To avoid capture during WWII, Audrey adapted the name Edda van Heemstra in 1940. English-sounding names were more likely to be associated with the British and therefore dangerous to keep. Three years later, after the war, she started calling herself Audrey Hepburn.
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4. She was training to be a dental assistant
Before she started acting, Audrey was training to be a dental assistant. Before she could complete her training however, she was discovered by a talent scout who scored her first role on broadway, in 'Gigi'. This was her big break, which resulted in a prolific movie career.
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5. Her parents were nazi sympathisers
Her father, Joseph, abandoned her when she was just a little child. Joseph was a Nazi sympathiser and was imprisoned by the Brits during World War 2 as an enemy of the State. Her mother was Nazi sympathiser only in the beginning of the World War II.
6. She had an affair with co-star William Holden
When Audrey starred in 'Sabrina', she had an off-screen affair with co-star William Holden who was a big star at the time and was married. Holden was known as a real womaniser and his wife tolerated his indiscretions, but Holden wanted to leave his wife for Audrey. The relationship didn’t last however, because she wanted a family and Holden didn’t.
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7. Hepburn's character in 'Breakfast at Tiffany’s' was adapted for her
The lead role in 'Breakfast at Tiffany’s' was first set aside for Marilyn Monroe. The writer of the novel thought that Marilyn would be a better fit to play a call girl. Audrey got the role however, which led to rewrite of the character in order to fit Audrey better. The rewrite was a success and the film is still seen as an iconic and influential film.
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8. Audrey dated JFK
Before John F. Kennedy’s marriage to Jackie, he dated Audrey for a couple of months during his governorship. Their relationship, if you can call it that, didn’t last long.
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9. She hosted her own garden show
Before she passed away, Audrey hosted a documentary series called 'Audrey Hepburn's Gardens of the World'. As the title implies, the show was about Audrey visiting the most beautiful gardens in the world. She even was awarded an Emmy for her performance. Just one day after her death, the series premiered: on 21st January 1993.
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10. Audrey has a tulip named after her
In 1990, Audrey had a tulip named after her. The tulip was a new white hybrid breed and was named after the actress to honour her great performance as an actress and her charity work for UNICEF. During the ceremony in Holland, she gave the first tulip to her aunt Jacqueline.
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