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Audrey Hepburn

by Rena from Roseville

Audrey Hepburn at 23 (http://www.latimes.com/includes/projects/hollywood/portraits/audrey_hepburn.jpg ())
Audrey Hepburn at 23 (http://www.latimes.com/includes/projects/hollywood/portraits/audrey_hepburn.jpg ())

  A hero is someone who inspires you. Someone you can look up to. Someone who takes risks and inspires YOU to takes risks of your own.  When I hear the name Audrey Hepburn, many amazing qualities go through my head. I think of her courage, faith, and how she took a normal life and made it into something truly extraordinary.  I think of my future and what I want to be and realize I want to have her heroic qualities. The way she dedicated her life to others. As Audrey Hepburn herself said, "I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it."

Audrey Hepburn as a child (http://www.wildsound.ca/audrey_hepburn_as_a_child.html ())
Audrey Hepburn as a child (http://www.wildsound.ca/audrey_hepburn_as_a_child.html ())

  My hero in life is Audrey Hepburn, born Audrey Kathleen Ruston. She was born on May 4, 1929 in Brussels, Belgium as an only child.  Ever since she was young, Hepburn was described as humble, kind, and charming. She was known for putting others before herself. The Nazis invaded her country during World War II, and Hepburn struggled to stay alive with her mother. Audrey and her mother did survive, and going through that horrifying experience helped her gain courage.  She later grew up to study ballet in Amsterdam and London. She had a strong passion for ballet, and put her mind to it. That quality of hers is inspiring. Audrey Hepburn said it herself, "I believe in miracles." That quote gives me motivation. Her life was normal and she went after her dreams and achieved them with daring qualities.  Unfortunately Audrey Hepburn was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away peacefully on January 20, 1993 at age 63 in Switzerland.  She died proud of all she did for others and fulfilled her dreams and goals.

Audrey Hepburn on an UNICEF Mission (http://www.unicef.org/people/images/people_hepburn_portrait.jpg ())
Audrey Hepburn on an UNICEF Mission (http://www.unicef.org/people/images/people_hepburn_portrait.jpg ())

   Audrey Hepburn was an award-winning actress, humanitarian, and fashion model and icon. She was selected as the third greatest female star of all time by the American Film Institute. She started in a Broadway production of Gigi at age 22. This was when she realized she had a passion for acting. Hepburn wanted to move away from Broadway. She made her feature film debut in 1951 in One Wild Oat. At 24, she amazed fans in Roman Holiday. (1953) Audrey Hepburn was mainly known for her role in Breakfast at Tiffany's, which was released in 1961. She is one of the only and few actresses to win an Emmy, Tony, Grammy, and Academy Award. What she achieved in life truly made her a hero. Hepburn went after her dreams, though she had many, and achieved them all. She was not afraid of taking risks and never stopped believing herself. Audrey Hepburn spent her last five years doing humanitarian work. She was a UNICEF Ambassador. She fought for basic human rights by showing the world what underprivileged are going through. She showed people their struggle to survive and the pain the experience. She went to a mission in Ethiopia, where drought and famine are big. When Hepburn returned she talked to the United States Media to release information and raise awareness. She was interviewed fifteen times. Audrey Hepburn also took trips to Turkey, Ecuador, Venezuela, Thailand, and Sudan. She traveled for woman's rights and famine around the world.  In December 1992, she received the United States' highest civilian award, called the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  In 1994, her sons, Sean and Lucca Hepburn Ferrer, created the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund, which still exists today. The fund supports many organizations and products are sold on her website for donations and free donations are also available.

Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Work in Vietnam(1990) (http://www.audreyhepburn.com/menu/index.php?idMenu=42&idMenuSub=42#par_46 (Peter Charlesworth))
Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Work in Vietnam(1990) (http://www.audreyhepburn.com/menu/index.php?idMenu=42&idMenuSub=42#par_46 (Peter Charlesworth))

  Audrey Hepburn inspires my life and myself because of the way she lived her life. She motivates me in many different ways, as she does with others as well. I hope to one day have my own Children's Fund and support organizations throughout the world. I also believe more people should have the view Hepburn did on life. They should believe in miracles and work hard. I don't want to give up on my dreams and goals. I want to be like Audrey Hepburn and take risks, be daring, and I don't want to be intimidated by the people out there. I will fight for my goals and chase my dreams. I hope to one day make a difference in the world and be remembered, just like Audrey Hepburn.  A hero should have all those qualities.

Audrey Hepburn Older Years (http://staff.pausd.org/~cbly/1web_design/07_08/annie/audrey.html ())
Audrey Hepburn Older Years (http://staff.pausd.org/~cbly/1web_design/07_08/annie/audrey.html ())

  She fulfilled her dreams. She helped others. She changed the world. She left her legacy. Audrey Hepburn is who she is. Hepburn inspires me and motivates me in life, which is what a hero should do. She can inspire others as well. I want to help others. I want to achieve my dreams and goals with determination. I want to take risks. I want to make a difference in every way possible.  I want to be a modern Audrey Hepburn. I want to be a HERO.


Page created on 5/22/2012 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 5/22/2012 12:00:00 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.