During the brutal occupation of the Netherlands by the Nazis in World War II, a young Audrey Hepburn, then known by the name Edda van Heemstra, lived with her mother in the cities of Arnhem and Velp. The future star suffers from severe malnutrition and witnessed widely suffering.Yet, at a crucial time, she risked her life to become actively involved in the Dutch Resistance. The full extent of her bravery, however, remains a closely guarded secret for decades.
The Young Courier’s Acts of Resistance
As a teenager, Hepburn performed several highly dangerous acts for the Resistance movement. She courageously used her training and talent as a dancer to aid the cause, performing ballet at secret, clandestine fundraisers organized to provide financial support for the Resistance fighters.Even more perilous was her role as a courier. Hepburn delivered secret messages and documents, hiding them in the tips of her ballet shoes while navigating occupied territory—a method that, if discovered, would have resulted in immediate and severe punishment. Later, after the devastating failure of the Allied mission known as Operation Market Garden, she volunteered as a nurse in a hospital, helping to treat and care for wounded Allied soldiers hidden from the Germans.
Why Was It Kept Secret for Decades?
Despite achieving massive fame in Hollywood, Audrey Hepburn rarely spoke publicly about the full extent of these wartime acts of bravery. Throughout her life, she only vaguely referenced the horrors of war and the severe malnutrition she endured. Her preference was to focus the public eye on her extensive humanitarian work with UNICEF later in life. It wasn’t until biographers began to delve deeper into her past, particularly through the research for the book Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II , that the complete, courageous story of her involvement was fully revealed.It is believed that Hepburn, a naturally private and introverted person, preferred not to exploit these painful, traumatic memories for public fame, instead choosing to let her charitable work speak for the values forged during those difficult years.