When you think of Audrey Hepburn, the image that probably comes to mind is that of a graceful and radiant actress in timeless films like Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. On-screen, she seemed effortlessly carefree, but behind the scenes, her life was anything but simple. A new biography, titled Dutch Girl, sheds light on the challenging experiences Audrey endured during her childhood in the Netherlands amidst the turmoil of World War II.
Audrey Hepburn: The Girl Who Survived War
According to Robert Matzen, the author of Dutch Girl, Audrey had to grow up quickly, like so many others caught in the chaos of war. "She helped out in any way she could," Matzen told Closer Weekly in an exclusive interview. Imagine a young Audrey, not yet the Hollywood icon we know, stepping up to assist her community during one of history's darkest periods. She wasn't just a bystander; she was an active participant in the resistance movement, risking her life to help others.
Audrey's contributions to the Dutch Resistance were nothing short of heroic. Matzen explained that she "tended to the wounded, ran messages, and was even sent to the woods to help a flier who had been shot down." These acts of bravery were far more dangerous than anyone realized at the time. Audrey's involvement in the resistance movement brought her closer to the action than anyone could have imagined.
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Surviving the War: A Close Call
One of the most harrowing moments in Audrey's life occurred during a strafing attack. "Audrey was caught in an attack where a British Spitfire was targeting a column of German vehicles," Matzen revealed to Closer. In that terrifying moment, someone shoved her under a tank, which was the only reason she survived. This incident is just one example of the dangers Audrey faced during the war, dangers that shaped her into the resilient woman we admire today.
Protecting Her Legacy: Audrey's Family Life
Despite the hardships Audrey endured in her youth, she was determined to give her sons, Sean and Luca, a normal upbringing. As Sean, now 58, once told Closer, Audrey worked hard to shield her children from the pressures of fame. Yet, she also leveraged her celebrity status to focus on her humanitarian work. "She realized she could use her fame to grab people's attention," Luca, 48, shared with Closer. Today, both sons continue Audrey's legacy: Luca runs the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund, and Sean serves as the honorary chair of The Audrey Hepburn Society at the US Fund for UNICEF.
