Audrey Hepburn

"As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others." (Book Rags Media Network). Audrey Hepburn had a lot of struggles that helped her open her eyes to hardships across the world and opened her heart to famine-stricken villages. A British actress with award winning movies, all the money she could ask for, but one tough childhood, Hepburn took her millions and used her fame to help others. Hepburn took the time to travel the and visit poor villages and donate food and clothing to children in need. A hero must possess generosity and give back to the community. Without those traits there is nothing to help inspire others. Audrey Hepburn is emotionally strong, multi-talented, and is a well-known humanitarian. Not only does her charm inspire others but so do her actions.

Audrey Hepburn took her rough childhood and benefitted from it instead of dreading over it. Growing up in a war zone was hard for Hepburn but she turned it into something better. Her childhood gave her the experience to really care for others, not just herself. "Born in Ixelles, a district of Brussels, Hepburn spent her childhood between Belgium, England and the Netherlands, including German-occupied Arnhem during the Second World War." (UNICEF People) At the age of 6, Hepburn's parents had divorced and she had moved to England where she had studied ballet. She later moved to the Holland to avoid the dangers of World War II. Unfortunately, moving did not stop the malnutrition and lack of food. When Hepburn had moved Holland, the Nazis invaded her home and took all her family's assets leaving them on the streets with nothing. "Several of her relatives were shot by the Nazis after it was discovered that they were in the Resistance. Years later, she would tell of how they often went without food for days at a time, and that they would try to make bread with sawdust and grass. Hepburn developed severe malnutrition as a result." (Biography Reference Center: Audrey Hepburn)Fortunately, shipments were sent to the sick people on the streets of Holland and Audrey was saved. She was saved, but her career in dance would soon end because she was too unhealthy to practice ballet. Although, she went through a lot as a child, she turned it into something positive.

  Audrey Hepburn has many talents that helped her overcome her tough childhood. After the war had left her unable to pursue dance, she still earned a scholarship to Ballet Rambert, the most important ballet school in the country. But, since she could not attend in her condition, she pursued a different dream, acting. "After appearing in several British films and starring in the 1951 Broadway play Gigi, Hepburn gained instant Hollywood stardom for playing the Academy Award-winning lead role in Roman Holiday (1953)." (American National Biography: Audrey Hepburn)The Director of "Gigi", a Broadway play, asked her to audition for the production. With no acting experience, Hepburn got the part and was soon known across the world. Later, she took part in many British movies but the Director of Roman Holiday saw her acting and asked her to be the leading role in his movie. The movie won an Academy Award and led her to more of her famous roles. Hepburn went on to one of the most inspiring roles in the 60s. "Hepburn played one of the most iconic characters in the 1960s "Holly Golightly" in Breakfast At Tiffany's

 Audrey Hepburn used her childhood as an inspiration to become a Humanitarian. Hepburn was the Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF, United Nations Children's Fund. She knows what it is like to need help to survive "'I can testify to what UNICEF means to children, because I was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II," said actress Audrey Hepburn on her appointment as a Goodwill Ambassador in 1989. "I have a long-lasting gratitude and trust for what UNICEF does.'" (UNICEF People) Hepburn, not only took the rough time of her childhood to her heart, but she also made a difference in famine-stricken villages by donating clothes and food to needy areas. Hepburn was an inspiration to everyone. She touched so many lives while she was visiting such places like Ethiopia, Africa, and Asia. Although World War II helped her make a difference in others, it also made a difference in her own life. Although Hepburn was known for her iconic roles as an actress, she made room for others. "She appeared in fewer films as her life went on, and devoted much of her later life to UNICEF." (American National Biography)She cares about the other people around her. Although she had all the money in the world, she still helped with others. She was such an inspiring person right before she died on cancer. She cared for people and helped people when they didn't have anything. She gave up her dreams to help others achieve theirs. Even after she died, she is still remembered as an inspiring, beautiful woman.

 Hepburn's ability to overcome her childhood, become the most paid actress in the world of her time, and use her fame to help others truly inspired everyone around her.

Audrey Hepburn inspires me because she came out of such a tough situation and decided she can't let things like that happen to others. She lost her dream due to her conditions and decided to help others dreams come true. She is a charming, caring humanitarian and inspirational actress. Hepburn showed me anything is possible if people put their minds to it and use their full potential like she did. She said, once you hit "rock-bottom", you can only go up and anything is possible. "I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and... I believe in miracles." -Audrey Hepburn (Book Rags Media Network).

Works Cited

           "Hepburn, Audrey." Britannica Biographies (2011): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 9 May 2012.

 Salmon, Virginia L., and Salmon Virginia L. "Audrey Hepburn." Great Lives From History: The Twentieth

Century (2008): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 9 May 2012.

Connelly, Stacey. "Audrey Hepburn." American National Biography (2010): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 9 May 2012.

Connelly, Stacey. "Audrey Hepburn." American National Biography (2010): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 9 May 2012.

Book Rags Media Network. "Audrey Hepburn Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore, 2001. Web. 16           

May 2012. .

"Audrey Hepburn Biography." Biography Audrey Hepburn. Biograhpy Online. Web. 17 May 2012. .