As a teenager in Nazi-occupied Netherlands, long before her rise to Hollywood stardom, Audrey Hepburn courageously worked as a secret courier for the Dutch resistance during World War II. Her bravery, resourcefulness, and resilience in the face of danger reveal a lesser-known chapter of the Oscar-winning actress’s extraordinary life.
A Girl Caught in the Crossfire
Born in Brussels in 1929, Hepburn was the daughter of a Dutch baroness, Ella van Heemstra, and a British-Austrian businessman, Joseph Hepburn-Ruston. Her childhood was marked by upheaval. Her father, an associate of fascist groups, abandoned the family when she was just six, and her mother, initially sympathetic to Nazi ideals, relocated them to the Netherlands in the late 1930s, believing it would remain neutral during the war.
Hepburn, then known as Adriaantje van Heemstra, struggled to adjust to life in Holland. She spoke no Dutch and faced ridicule at school, yet her extroverted nature and love of dance helped her cope.
When Germany invaded the Netherlands in 1940, the war changed everything. The occupying Nazis commandeered resources, leaving Dutch citizens to face severe shortages. Hepburn’s family was no exception.
Resistance and Tragedy
The war hit home in 1942 when Hepburn’s uncle, Count Otto van Limburg Stirum, was executed by the Nazis for his anti-fascist stance. His death devastated her, but it also strengthened her resolve.
Hepburn secretly performed ballet in underground shows, raising money for the resistance. She danced behind closed curtains, lit only by candlelight, with no applause at the end—only the quiet collection of funds to support those fighting against oppression.
At just 15, she refused to join the Nazi-controlled artists’ union, choosing instead to give up public performances.
A Spy in Plain Sight
In 1944, Hepburn became an assistant to Dr. Hendrik Visser ‘t Hooft, a resistance member aiding those in hiding. Despite her mother’s perceived Nazi sympathies, Hepburn was entrusted with secret missions.
“She believed there is a struggle between good and evil, and you have to take sides,” her son Luca Dotti later explained.
One mission involved carrying a coded message hidden in her sock to a British paratrooper in a forest. On her way back, she cleverly distracted Dutch police by picking wildflowers and offering them flirtatiously. Her quick thinking allowed her to avoid suspicion and continue her covert work.
The Nazis underestimated children, making them ideal couriers for resistance efforts. As historian Robert Matzen noted, “The Germans didn’t take children seriously… the Dutch were practical enough to use that to their advantage.”
Survival Amidst Starvation
By early 1945, the Netherlands was gripped by famine, with thousands dying each week. Hepburn suffered from malnutrition, leading to severe anemia, jaundice, and edema. During one intense period of fighting, she and her family hid in their cellar for weeks, surviving on scraps.
When liberation finally came in April 1945, Hepburn greeted Canadian soldiers in fluent English, earning their astonishment and admiration. However, the war’s impact lingered. Her health never fully recovered, and her dream of becoming a prima ballerina ended when her weakened body couldn’t endure the rigorous demands of professional dance.
From Wartime Survivor to Hollywood Icon
After the war, Hepburn turned to acting, where she channeled her wartime experiences into her performances. Her first major role in Roman Holiday (1953) earned her an Academy Award, launching a career that made her an enduring icon of film and fashion.
Beyond her artistic achievements, Hepburn’s empathy and resilience fueled her lifelong dedication to humanitarian causes, particularly as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.
A Legacy of Strength
Audrey Hepburn’s wartime bravery reveals a profound depth to the woman the world would later celebrate as a screen legend. Her experience as a teenager navigating a world of danger, hunger, and loss shaped her instincts and gave her an inner strength that defined her life and work.
“She believed very much in taking sides,” said her son Luca Dotti. “Her instincts were honed to a fine point by everything she went through during the war.”
Audrey Hepburn’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, courage and humanity can shine through.
