How Audrey Hepburn Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Audrey Hepburn across different fields.

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

September 1953: Time Magazine Cover

On September 7, 1953, Audrey Hepburn was featured on the cover of Time magazine, solidifying her rising fame and influence on personal style.

1953: Rise to Stardom with Roman Holiday

In 1953, Audrey Hepburn rose to stardom with her role in "Roman Holiday", presenting an alternative feminine ideal that appealed more to women than men.

1954: Audrey Hepburn declared the "public embodiment of our new feminine ideal"

In 1954, fashion photographer Cecil Beaton declared Audrey Hepburn the "public embodiment of our new feminine ideal" in Vogue, recognizing her impact on fashion and beauty standards.

1959: Insecurity and Inferiority Statements

In a 1959 interview, Audrey Hepburn stated that she felt insecure and inferior, and even hated herself at times, saying that she used her drive and definiteness to conquer these feelings.

1961: Starring in Breakfast at Tiffany's

In 1961, Audrey Hepburn starred as Holly Golightly in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's', a role that became one of the best-known in American cinema and a defining moment in her career; she was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance.

1961: Addition to the International Best Dressed List

In 1961, Audrey Hepburn was added to the International Best Dressed List, solidifying her status as a style icon known for her minimalistic style.

1989: Attainable Look Statement

In 1989, Audrey Hepburn stated that "my look is attainable", suggesting women could emulate her style by flipping out their hair, buying large glasses, and wearing little sleeveless dresses.

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.

1991: Film Society of Lincoln Center tribute

In 1991, Audrey Hepburn received a tribute from the Film Society of Lincoln Center, recognizing her contributions to the film industry.

1992: BAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award

In 1992, Audrey Hepburn received the BAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring her significant contributions to film.

January 1993: Death of Audrey Hepburn

In January 1993, Audrey Hepburn died, leaving behind a legacy as a film and fashion icon.

January 1993: PBS Premiere and Funeral

On January 24, 1993, the day of Audrey Hepburn's funeral services in Tolochenaz, her series "Gardens of the World" premiered on PBS. She was posthumously awarded an Emmy for the "Flower Gardens" episode.

1993: Increased Admiration After Death

After Audrey Hepburn's death in 1993, she became increasingly admired, with magazines advising readers on how to get her look and fashion designers using her as inspiration.

1993: Founding of Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund

In 1993, a year after Audrey Hepburn's death, her son Sean Ferrer founded the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund (originally named Hollywood for Children Inc.) to continue her humanitarian work.

1994: Posthumous Grammy Award for Audrey Hepburn's Enchanted Tales

In 1994, Audrey Hepburn's contributions to the spoken-word recording "Audrey Hepburn's Enchanted Tales" earned her a posthumous Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children.

1999: Publication of Audrey's Style

In 1999, HarperCollins published "Audrey's Style" by Pamela Keogh, a 340-page book devoted to Audrey Hepburn's personality, beliefs, and style, featuring interviews and rarely seen photographs.

2000: The Audrey Hepburn Story Dramatisation

In 2000, a dramatization of Audrey Hepburn's life, titled "The Audrey Hepburn Story", was released, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt as the older Hepburn and Emmy Rossum as the younger Hepburn.

2002: Unveiling of "The Spirit of Audrey" statue

In 2002, at the United Nations Special Session on Children, UNICEF honored Audrey Hepburn's humanitarian legacy by unveiling a statue called "The Spirit of Audrey" at UNICEF's New York headquarters.

2006: Gap Commercial Featuring Hepburn

In 2006, Audrey Hepburn was featured in a Gap commercial that used clips of her dancing from "Funny Face", set to AC/DC's "Back in Black", with the tagline "It's Back – The Skinny Black Pant".

2006: Little Black Dress Auction

In 2006, one of the "little black dresses" designed by Givenchy for Breakfast at Tiffany's was sold by Christie's for a record sum of £467,200.

January 2009: Named one of the top British actresses of all time

In January 2009, Audrey Hepburn was named on The Times' list of the top 10 British actresses of all time, cementing her legacy as a prominent figure in film.

2010: Opinions on Acting Abilities

In 2010, Emma Thompson expressed the opinion that Audrey Hepburn "can't sing and she can't really act", sparking debate and varying opinions on Hepburn's acting abilities.

2012: Appearance on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover

In 2012, Audrey Hepburn was selected by artist Sir Peter Blake to appear in a new version of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover, celebrating British cultural figures.

2012: Ferrer's Resignation from the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund

In 2012, Sean Ferrer resigned as Chairman of the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund, turning over the position to Luca Dotti.

2013: Galaxy Chocolate Advert

In 2013, a computer-manipulated representation of Audrey Hepburn was used in a television advertisement for the British chocolate bar Galaxy.

May 2014: Google Doodle for 85th Birthday

On May 4, 2014, Google featured a doodle on its homepage in honor of what would have been Audrey Hepburn's 85th birthday.

2014: Sean Ferrer became the rare disease ambassador

Since 2014, Sean Ferrer became the rare disease ambassador on behalf of European Organisation for Rare Diseases.

2015: Most Stylish Brit of All Time

In 2015, Audrey Hepburn was voted "the most stylish Brit of all time" in a poll commissioned by Samsung, highlighting her lasting influence on fashion.

2015: Sean Ferrer was the rare disease ambassador

In 2015, Sean Ferrer was the rare disease ambassador on behalf of European Organisation for Rare Diseases.

October 2017: Ferrer Sued by Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund

In October 2017, Sean Ferrer was sued by the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund for alleged self-serving conduct.

March 2018: Dismissal of Ferrer's Suit Against the Fund

In March 2018, Sean Ferrer's suit against the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund was dismissed due to the complaint's failure to include Luca Dotti as a defendant.

2019: Court Sided with Ferrer

In 2019, the court sided with Sean Ferrer, ruling that the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund did not have the independent right to use Audrey Hepburn's name and likeness, or to enter into contracts with third parties without Ferrer's consent.

2020: Release of Biographical Documentary Audrey

In 2020, a biographical documentary about Audrey Hepburn's life, titled "Audrey", directed by Helena Coan and produced with the help of her son and granddaughter, Sean and Emma Ferrer, was released to positive reception.