Audrey Hepburn: Unveiling the Hidden Story of a Dutch Resistance Spy

Audrey Hepburn: A Tale of Bravery and Espionage during World War II

Audrey Hepburn, known for her iconic role in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), had a secret life that remained concealed until after her death.

In Robert Matzen's biography Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II (2019), the true story of the actress's involvement in the Dutch Resistance finally came to light.

Born as Audrey Kathleen Ruston in Brussels, Belgium in 1929, Hepburn worked as a doctor's assistant during the ‘Bridge Too Far' battle of Arnhem and the Hunger Winter of 1944.

Although she had hinted at her secret past prior to her death in 1993, it was not until Matzen conducted extensive research, including tracking down her diaries, government documents, and interviews with Hepburn's family, that her heroic actions were revealed.

Growing up in a privileged family, Hepburn's father, a banker and Nazi agent, and her mother, Baroness Ella van Heemstra, initially supported Hitler's government.

However, her parents divorced when Audrey was young, and her mother renounced her support of Hitler and his forces.

At the age of 10, Audrey experienced the start of World War II and lived modestly with her mother in the Netherlands.

In 1940, Germany invaded the Netherlands, leading to the occupation of towns and the display of swastika flags.

Despite the war raging around her, Hepburn found solace in dance, dreaming of becoming a ballerina.

However, her perception of the war changed when her uncle was captured and killed.

Witnessing the suffering of others, she realized the gravity of the situation.

By 1944, Hepburn began working for Dr. Hendrik Visser 't Hooft, an anti-German leader, solidifying her ties to the underground Resistance.

She raised funds for the Resistance through secret dance performances called ‘black evenings,' where audiences remained silent at the end of the dance.

Additionally, she delivered a Resistance newspaper by bicycle, hiding it in her woolen socks.

She also carried messages and food to downed British pilots, using her fluency in English to aid their cause.

Hepburn's family even provided shelter to an English pilot who had been shot down over the Netherlands.

This experience brought the realities of war closer to Hepburn, as she understood the risks involved in hiding an enemy.

Fortunately, the pilot was never discovered.

During the war, food, heat, and water were scarce, leading to malnourishment and hardship for Hepburn and her family.

Their town was eventually liberated by Allied troops in 1945, bringing relief and joy to their lives.

After the war, Hepburn pursued her passion for dance and began modeling.

However, her height prevented her from pursuing ballet professionally.

She then turned to acting and found success on stage and in movies, eventually landing a role on Broadway in Gigi in 1951.

Although Hepburn's career soared, the war years remained ingrained in her consciousness.

Her mother's previous support for the Nazis resulted in her being denied entry to the US.

Despite this, Hepburn became an Academy Award-winning actress, a fashion icon associated with Givenchy, and a renowned international humanitarian.

In her later years, she dedicated herself to humanitarian work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Hepburn traveled to dangerous places, including Somalia, where she witnessed the horrors of war firsthand.

Her bravery and commitment earned her the US Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Even today, Audrey Hepburn's legacy lives on.

Fans pay tribute to her life and unforgettable film performances by visiting Tiffany's with bags of pastries, honoring her timeless charm and elegance.