National Treasure: Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn (born Audrey Kathleen Ruston; 4 May 1929 – 20 January 1993) was a British actress and humanitarian.

She is widely regarded as one of the greatest film and fashion icons of the C20th.

Hepburn’s career started as a chorus girl in various West End musicals before moving onto British films, and starring in the Broadway play Gigi. She gained instant stardom when she played the lead in Roman Holiday in 1953, later performing in Sabrina, The Nun’s Story, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Charade, My Fair Lady and Wait Until Dark.

Later in her life, Hepburn starred in fewer films, and devoted much of her time to UNICEF, inspired by the wartime struggles that dominated her early years. She worked in some of the most profoundly disadvantaged communities in Africa, South America and Asia in the late eighties and early nineties.

In 1992, the year before her untimely death at the age of 63, Hepburn was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of her work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Hepburn also remains one of few entertainers who have won Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Awards.

Image credit: vangobseck