Sean Hepburn Ferrer Unveils Intimate Portrait of Audrey Hepburn in New Biography
In a revealing new biography titled Intimate Audrey, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, the son of legendary Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn, offers a deeply personal behind-the-scenes look at his mother's extraordinary life. Co-authored with former war correspondent Wendy Holden, the book delves into Hepburn's experiences with war, fame, love, and her enduring humanitarian legacy, challenging her own claim of having lived a terribly boring life.
A Normal Childhood Amidst Extraordinary Fame
Sean Hepburn Ferrer, now 65, reflects on growing up in Switzerland and Rome, far removed from the glitz of Hollywood. He describes his childhood as normal, emphasizing his mother's dedication to family over stardom. She realised that life is short and fickle and delicate – and you can’t want a family and then when it comes not put your elbow into it, he says. Despite Audrey's iconic roles in films like Breakfast at Tiffany's and Roman Holiday, Sean only fully grasped her immense fame at age 14, when he hosted a private film festival of her movies in their attic.
The Legacy Preservation Business
Since Audrey Hepburn's death in 1993, Sean has dedicated himself to preserving her legacy, managing the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund and safeguarding her image from exploitation. He likens this role to curating a giant art exhibition, noting that other stars' children often seek his advice but are daunted by the workload. Audrey Hepburn is like that Ferrari that requires you to take a weekend driving course before we let you have it, he explains, highlighting the meticulous care required to maintain her brand.
Three Facets of Audrey's Enduring Stardom
Sean breaks down his mother's lasting appeal into three key elements. First, her natural and fresh performances, such as in Roman Holiday, which he describes as the original analogue in an age of AI. Second, her iconic personal style, particularly her collaborations with designer Hubert de Givenchy, who created timeless looks for her. Third, her humanitarian work as a Unicef goodwill ambassador in the 1980s and 90s, where she traveled to conflict zones like Ethiopia and Vietnam. She gave her life for the dream of an inclusive society, Sean states, noting how these aspects give her a stable legacy that resonates with new generations.
Wartime Struggles and Personal Challenges
Intimate Audrey opens with Hepburn's final Unicef mission to Somalia, highlighting how her life was bookended by war. Born in Belgium in 1929, she endured the Nazi occupation in the Netherlands, suffering malnutrition and witnessing atrocities. Her parents' fascist sympathies, including photos with Adolf Hitler, were a source of lifelong conflict. I don’t think she reconciled it at all, Sean says, she accepted who they were and did what was right. Post-war, she rose to stardom, winning an Oscar for Roman Holiday and achieving EGOT status, but faced personal betrayals, including infidelity in her marriages to Mel Ferrer and Andrea Dotti.
Bringing Audrey Down to Earth
Sean aims to humanize his mother beyond the glamorous images. I’m trying to bring her down to earth, he asserts, sharing intimate details like finding her unconscious after a suicide attempt during her second marriage's collapse. He hopes readers see Audrey as a normal, real person who balanced success with authenticity. The biography, structured with screenplay-style chapter openings, also hints at Sean's ongoing project to write a film about her life, though he worries about its dramatic unevenness.
Conclusion: A Lasting Impact
Through Intimate Audrey, Sean Hepburn Ferrer provides a comprehensive and heartfelt tribute to his mother, blending personal anecdotes with historical context. The book not only celebrates Audrey Hepburn's cinematic and humanitarian achievements but also reveals her vulnerabilities, offering a nuanced portrait that enriches her legendary status. Published by Harper, it serves as a definitive account for fans and newcomers alike, ensuring her story continues to inspire.
