Childhood and Education Journey of Audrey Hepburn in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Audrey Hepburn, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Audrey Hepburn, a British actress, achieved iconic status in film and fashion. Celebrated as one of Hollywood's greatest female screen legends by the American Film Institute, she was also inducted into the International Best Dressed Hall of Fame List. Her enduring influence transcends acting, solidifying her position as a cultural figure.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1900: Birth of Baroness Ella van Heemstra

In 1900, Baroness Ella van Heemstra, Audrey Hepburn's mother, was born.

1924: Birth of Ian Edgar Bruce Quarles van Ufford

In 1924, Jonkheer Ian Edgar Bruce Quarles van Ufford, Audrey Hepburn's half-brother, was born.

May 1929: Audrey Hepburn's Birth

In May 1929, Audrey Kathleen Hepburn (née Ruston) was born. She would later be recognised as a film and fashion icon.

1932: Family Settled in Linkebeek

In 1932, after spending three years travelling, Audrey Hepburn's family settled in the suburban Brussels municipality of Linkebeek.

1935: Father Left the Family

In 1935, Audrey Hepburn's father, Joseph, abruptly left the family after a "scene" in Brussels and moved to London.

1936: Attended boarding school in Kent

In 1936, Audrey Hepburn attended boarding school in Kent.

1937: Sent to School in the UK

In 1937, Audrey Hepburn was sent to live in Kent, United Kingdom, where she was educated at a small private school in Elham.

September 1939: Moved back to Arnhem

In September 1939, after Britain declared war on Germany, Audrey Hepburn's mother moved her back to Arnhem.

1939: Returned to the Netherlands due to WWII

In 1939, with the outbreak of World War II, Audrey Hepburn returned to the Netherlands from boarding school in Kent.

1940: Used the name Edda van Heemstra during the German occupation

After the Germans invaded the Netherlands in 1940, Audrey Hepburn used the name Edda van Heemstra to avoid danger during the German occupation.

1942: Uncle's execution

In 1942, Audrey Hepburn's uncle, Otto van Limburg Stirum, was executed in retaliation for an act of sabotage by the resistance movement.

1944: Performing ballet to support the Dutch resistance

By 1944, Audrey Hepburn was performing ballet to raise money to support the Dutch resistance during World War II.

October 1945: Ella's Letter Received by Micky Burn

In October 1945, a letter from Audrey Hepburn's mother, Ella, asking for help was received by Micky Burn, who sent cigarettes to sell and buy penicillin.

1945: Moved to Amsterdam and Began Ballet Training

After the war ended in 1945, Audrey Hepburn moved to Amsterdam with her mother and siblings and began ballet training under Sonia Gaskell and Olga Tarasova.

1945: Attended Arnhem Conservatory until 1945

Audrey Hepburn attended the Arnhem Conservatory from 1939 until 1945.

1945: Studied ballet with Sonia Gaskell in Amsterdam

In 1945, Audrey Hepburn studied ballet with Sonia Gaskell in Amsterdam after the war.

1948: Ballet Scholarship and Chorus Girl

In 1948, Audrey Hepburn moved to London on a ballet scholarship with Ballet Rambert and appeared as a chorus girl in the West End musical theatre revue "High Button Shoes".

1948: Studied ballet with Marie Rambert in London

In 1948, Audrey Hepburn studied ballet with Marie Rambert in London.

1952: Engagement to James Hanson

In 1952, Audrey Hepburn became engaged to industrialist James Hanson, but she called off the wedding because she wanted to be really married and their careers would keep them apart. She also dated Michael Butler in the early 1950s.

September 1954: Marriage to Mel Ferrer

On September 25, 1954, Audrey Hepburn married American actor Mel Ferrer in Bürgenstock, Switzerland. They met at a cocktail party hosted by Gregory Peck and collaborated on the play "Ondine" before starting a relationship.

June 1960: Birth of Son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer

On June 17, 1960, Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer had their son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer.

1960: Baptism of Son Sean Hepburn Ferrer

In 1960, the same pastor who wed Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer baptised their son Sean Hepburn Ferrer.

1967: Shifting Focus to Family

After 1967, Audrey Hepburn began to dedicate more time to her family and acted less frequently.

June 1968: Meeting Andrea Dotti

In June 1968, Audrey Hepburn met her second husband, Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti, on a Mediterranean cruise with friends.

1968: Divorce from Mel Ferrer

After a 14-year marriage, Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer divorced in 1968. There were rumors that Ferrer was too controlling.

January 1969: Marriage to Andrea Dotti

On January 18, 1969, Audrey Hepburn married Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti. She hoped to have more children and possibly stop working.

February 1970: Birth of Son, Luca Andrea Dotti

On February 8, 1970, Audrey Hepburn and Andrea Dotti's son, Luca Andrea Dotti, was born via caesarean section. Hepburn had taken extra care during the pregnancy, resting for months.

1974: Suffering a Miscarriage

In 1974, Audrey Hepburn suffered a miscarriage while married to Andrea Dotti.

1979: Affair During "Bloodline" Filming

In 1979, Audrey Hepburn had an affair with actor Ben Gazzara during the filming of "Bloodline", while married to Andrea Dotti. Dotti was also unfaithful.

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1980: Relationship with Robert Wolders

From 1980, Audrey Hepburn was in a relationship with Dutch actor Robert Wolders, the widower of actress Merle Oberon. They met through a friend.

1982: Divorce from Andrea Dotti

In 1982, Audrey Hepburn's 12-year marriage to Andrea Dotti was dissolved due to infidelity on both sides.

August 1988: Immunisation Campaign in Turkey

In August 1988, Audrey Hepburn participated in an immunisation campaign in Turkey, praising it as an example of UNICEF's capabilities, where the army and fishmongers provided assistance for vaccine distribution.

1988: UNICEF field mission to Ethiopia

In 1988, Audrey Hepburn made her first field mission for UNICEF in Ethiopia, visiting an orphanage in Mek'ele and arranging for UNICEF to send food.

February 1989: Tour of Central America

In February 1989, Audrey Hepburn toured Central America, meeting with leaders in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala in her role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

October 1989: Visit to Bangladesh

In October 1989, Audrey Hepburn visited Bangladesh with Robert Wolders. During her visit, she showed remarkable compassion towards the children, hugging them despite the presence of flies and dirt.

1989: Happiest Years with Robert Wolders

In 1989, Audrey Hepburn described the nine years she had spent with Robert Wolders as the happiest years of her life, stating that she considered them married, just not officially.

1989: Appointment as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

In 1989, Audrey Hepburn was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF, expressing her gratitude for the international aid she received as a child during the German occupation.

October 1990: UNICEF Mission to Vietnam

In October 1990, Audrey Hepburn traveled to Vietnam as part of her work with UNICEF, collaborating with the government on national immunization and clean water programs.

September 1992: Visit to Somalia with UNICEF

In September 1992, four months before her death, Audrey Hepburn visited Somalia with UNICEF. She described the situation there as "apocalyptic" and worse than any famine she had witnessed before.

September 1992: Development of Abdominal Pain

In late September 1992, upon returning to Switzerland from Somalia, Audrey Hepburn developed abdominal pain, leading to the discovery of a rare form of abdominal cancer.