Audrey Hepburn is back in the headlines in 2026. In February, Deadline reported that Lily Collins will play her in a film about the making of Breakfast at Tiffany's, based on Sam Wasson's book Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.
Here we look back at the Brussels-born ballet student who became Princess Ann, Holly Golightly and Eliza Doolittle, then gave her final years to UNICEF. For more screen legends, browse our actresses collection.
Audrey Hepburn Fact File
| Full name | Audrey Kathleen Ruston (later Hepburn-Ruston) |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 May 1929 |
| Place of birth | Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium |
| Died | 20 January 1993, Tolochenaz, Switzerland, aged 63 |
| Occupation | Actress, dancer, humanitarian |
| Nationality | British |
| Years active | 1948-1992 |
| Known for | Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffany's, My Fair Lady, Charade |
| Signature | Holly Golightly's little black dress, pearls and sunglasses |
Key Films
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Roman Holiday | Princess Ann |
| 1954 | Sabrina | Sabrina Fairchild |
| 1957 | Funny Face | Jo Stockton |
| 1959 | The Nun's Story | Sister Luke |
| 1961 | Breakfast at Tiffany's | Holly Golightly |
| 1963 | Charade | Regina Lampert |
| 1964 | My Fair Lady | Eliza Doolittle |
| 1967 | Wait Until Dark | Susy Hendrix |
| 1976 | Robin and Marian | Maid Marian |
| 1989 | Always | Hap |
Years are original release years; this is a selection of key roles, not a full filmography. Always, directed by Steven Spielberg, was her final film.
Early Years: Ballet, War and London
Audrey was born in Ixelles, Brussels, and spent the Second World War in the Netherlands, where she studied ballet at the Arnhem Conservatory and lived with her family in nearby Velp. After the war she won a ballet scholarship in London, but was told her height would hold her back as a prima ballerina, so she turned to acting, taking small film parts such as Laughter in Paradise (1951).
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Breakthrough: Gigi and Roman Holiday
While filming Monte Carlo Baby, she was spotted by the novelist Colette, who chose her for the title role in Gigi on Broadway in 1951. As the runaway Princess Ann opposite Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday (1953), she won the Academy Award for Best Actress, then added the 1954 Tony for Ondine.
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Defining Moments: Holly, Eliza and Beyond
Sabrina, Funny Face and The Nun's Story followed, but Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) gave fans the image that still defines her: Holly Golightly on Fifth Avenue in a black dress and pearls. Charade paired her with Cary Grant, My Fair Lady cast her as Eliza Doolittle, and the thriller Wait Until Dark earned her a fifth Oscar nomination. She later returned in Robin and Marian (1976) opposite Sean Connery.
Later Years: UNICEF and Legacy
Audrey's greatest late role was off screen. She began her work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1988 with a field mission to Ethiopia, later visiting countries including Bangladesh, Vietnam, Sudan and Somalia. In December 1992 she received the US Presidential Medal of Freedom for that work. She died at her home in Tolochenaz, Switzerland, on 20 January 1993, aged 63. Her Emmy and Grammy came posthumously, completing her EGOT.
Awards
Film
- Academy Award for Best Actress - Roman Holiday
- Five Oscar nominations in total
- Three BAFTAs for Best British Actress - Roman Holiday, The Nun's Story and Charade
- Golden Globe for Best Actress (Drama) - Roman Holiday
- Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award (1990) and BAFTA Special Award (1992)
Stage, Television and Music
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play - Ondine (1954), plus a Special Tony (1968)
- Emmy Award (1993, posthumous) - Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn
- Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children (1994, posthumous) - Audrey Hepburn's Enchanted Tales
Humanitarian Honours
- US Presidential Medal of Freedom (1992)
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (1993, posthumous)
- Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (1993, posthumous)
Away From the Spotlight
Audrey was married to actor Mel Ferrer (1954-1968) and to psychiatrist Andrea Dotti (1969-1982), and had two sons, Sean Hepburn Ferrer and Luca Dotti. She made her home at La Paisible, a country house in Tolochenaz, Switzerland.
FAQs
How old was Audrey Hepburn when she died?
Audrey Hepburn was 63 when she died on 20 January 1993 at her home in Tolochenaz, Switzerland.
What was Audrey Hepburn's real name?
She was born Audrey Kathleen Ruston; the family later used the surname Hepburn-Ruston.
Where was Audrey Hepburn born?
She was born on 4 May 1929 in Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Is Audrey Hepburn an EGOT winner?
Yes. She won an Oscar for Roman Holiday, a Tony for Ondine, and posthumously an Emmy (1993) and a Grammy (1994), making her one of the rare EGOT winners.
Who is playing Audrey Hepburn in the new film?
Lily Collins is set to play her in a film about the making of Breakfast at Tiffany's, based on Sam Wasson's book Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M., as reported in February 2026.
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Bruce Lee: His Films, Jeet Kune Do and Lasting Legacy and Arnold Schwarzenegger: His Career, Films, Awards and Legacy.
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