Audrey Hepburn: A Life of Beautiful Uncertainty

by Tom Santopietro

AUDREY A LIFE IN 63 SCENES AND 63 DRESSES

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

448 pages, Hardcover

Published March 18, 2025

About the author

Tom Santopietro is the author of seven books: Why To Kill a Mockingbird Matters, Barbara Cook: Then and Now, the bestselling The Sound of Music Story, The Godfather Effect: Changing Hollywood, America, and Me, Sinatra in Hollywood, Considering Doris Day (New York Times Sunday Book Review Editor’s Choice) and The Importance of Being Barbra. A frequent media commentator and interviewer, he lectures on classic films, and over the past thirty years has managed more than two dozen Broadway shows.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Audrey Hepburn, by Tom Santopietro, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a book about the late great Audrey Hepburn, actress and activist, she was an amazing women, I really enjoyed learning about her.

[Mai H.]

Non-fiction November TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Applause

[Diane OLeary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thoughtful and well researched biography of the enchanting Audrey Hepburn. For such an iconic actress she did not make a massive amount of films - motherhood was too important to her. I can never read enough about this spectacular actress and she was an extraordinary human being as well. Clueless young actresses continue to try to imitate her and no one has ever or will ever come close to achieving her magical presence. I love many of her films and my favorite was Two for the Road but what a legacy of magnificent work she left as her gift to the world. Her story brought me to tears and this is a highly recommended read for her many fans.

[LAMONT D · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the book state Audrey Hepburn remains the very last Golden Age Hollywood star. Her legacy lives on through her two sons, the charitable work that she inspired with UNICEF before her untimely death and the films that capture and intrigue all of us that are fans of this amazing woman. The author at one point compares her to Jackie Kennedy which is a fair assessment and one worth exploring: "The fascinating connection, is that for all of their worldwide fame and status as fashion trendsetters, it was their self-perceived flaws that informed their very self-images." One reoccurring theme throughout the book is that Audrey's experiences in childhood shaped and formed her for the rest of her life. Seeing the Nazi regime up close, experiencing the scenes of death, starvation and despair all around her plus the abandonment of her father would impact her immensely. To some degree this point was emphasized way too much in the narrative, but it certainly was the underlining theme that prepared her and impaired her throughout her future days. Add to that a complicated relationship with her mother which plagued Audrey seemingly her entire adult life. The author though reiterates just how much Audrey was appreciated by all those that worked with her throughout the many years. So many compliments about how she treated others with kindness and respect and yet she was able to navigate the shark waters of Hollywood and of those that were rich and famous. There are pictures (with detailed photo captions) that introduce most of the chapters, I just wish there had been more included. At the end of the book is also the following of interest: Time Tested Beauty Tips, Selected Honors, a Career Scorecard along with the very extensive Notes section, Bibliography and Index. It appears that Audrey's eldest son Sean gave him extensive interviews from which many of Sean's comments were included in the book about his mother. I like also that the author included commentary on the various films espousing the good, the bad and some ugly. But Audrey was always beautiful, so graceful and her presence seemingly timeless.

[MKF · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is like an Audrey Hepburn encyclopedia and is a bit overwhelming with all the information included. Being over 400 pages it's definitely not a book to read cover to cover unless you have the time and patience.

[Shannan Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Santopiero presented a lovely account of the Life of Audrey Hepburn from her childhood during World War II to her life in Hollywood and finally her humanitarianism to the less fortunate nations. Scattered throughout are beautiful, colorful, and black/white pictures of Audrey. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the amazing actress. Even when she was ill she still stayed committed to her goal to do for others. I recommend this book to Audrey Hepburn fans.

[Camille Kilgore (Coribello) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can you say…… the book speaks wonders to a woman who embraced what truly matters. She exuded class, respect, humility, and most of all love. Read this book and reflect on all the great words of wisdom reflected within and outside her circles. A non trashy Hollywood reflection is such a breath of fresh air. A stylish icon is an understatement.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Edelweiss and Applause Books for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Audrey Hepburn has been a pop culture icon for decades. That is something that would have probably disappointed her. She was more than a pretty face who wore clothes so well. She was an accomplished actress who became an EGOT winner posthumously (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony), a WWII survivor, and a champion for UNICEF years before it became fashionable. This forthcoming biography looks at all those aspects of Hepburn’s life and more.

Many people admired Audrey’s grace and depth as an actor, but what is usually glossed over is the fact that Audrey was lucky to be alive. She lived in occupied Nazi territory during World War II, so malnourished and starving that it was hard for her to practice her ballet. Her mother flirted with Nazism, but Audrey didn’t share those views. She actually worked for the Resistance and put her life on the line time and time again. She would rarely talk about her experiences of the war, yet it made a lifelong impression on her.

Audrey Hepburn couldn’t make it as a ballet dancer, but someone suggested to her that she might enjoy acting. And in just a few years, she had her first starring role in Roman Holiday. She was awarded the Academy Award for her performance. It would not be the last time she was nominated for best actress, either, but she never won again. Following Roman Holiday was Sabrina and a partnership with an up-and-coming designer, Givenchy.

Along the way, she met and married Mel Ferrar and had a son. That put a damper on her acting because she wanted to be wholly present for her son. She’d occasionally take acting jobs, but it really wasn’t her main focus. Despite her acting prowess, in a career that spanned four decades, she only made about 20 films.

Audrey always held on to the pain she felt from living under a Nazi regime and always found ways to give back. There was a point in her life when she switched from actress to activist, getting involved with UNICEF and becoming an ambassador, travelling around the world to help their cause. She was rather pragmatic about it all, realizing that she could use her cache as a celebrity to bring issues to the forefront of public discourse.

I’ve read a few Audrey Hepburn biographies, and I do have to admit that this is probably the most well-rounded book about her that I’ve read. Her sons participated with the book, granting interviews and providing photographs from their personal collections. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about old Hollywood.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography of Audrey Hepburn focuses on her humility and service to others. Covering her whole life, and relying heavily on interviews with her older son, Sean, the story is interspersed with stunning photos of her fashion, from the famous Givenchy designs to her preferred Lacoste and khaki look of her later years. While her acting career brought her fame and fortune--and adulation which seems only to be increasing, thirty years after her death--her work with UNICEF brought her the greatest satisfaction. Not happiness, of course; she was too sensitive to the suffering she witnessed.

This is a beautiful book detailing the life of a woman who was truly beautiful inside and out. Despite its length, it reads quickly, due in part to short chapters but mainly due to subject matter. There are a few odd incongruities and sometimes it jumps around in a disconcerting manner, but it is a must read for fans of Audrey Hepburn. It is impossible not to compare and contrast her to some of today's celebrities and politicians, most of whom do not fare well in comparison. #AudreyHepburn #NetGalley

[Joseph J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a beautiful book in every way. In its form and presentation, yes, but more importantly in its subject, Audrey Hepburn. Not just a standard "star biography," but a complete view of the unique Audrey, from enchanting actress to elusive celebrity, and from incomparable fashion icon to unique HUMANITARIAN and activist for the forgotten (children) of Africa. The color prints of Givenchy clad Audrey are stunning, but the black and white images chart Aundrey from ingenue to a wife, mother, and citizen of the world in everyday garb. For movie buffs there are behind the scenes stories from her (too few) films, and tantalizing "what ifs" of casting which never occurred (Out of Africa among others). In an all too soon end, we follow Audrey on a pain punctuated journey to a dangerous Africa. Did she really pass Away over 32 years ago? I remember that night in a seminary chapel when a broken-hearted classmate entered "Audrey died. As a child the parochial school sisters showed us The Nun's Story among films about character. Audrey personified the best of character, and true beauty seen and shown to others. I love this book!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book Audrey Hepburn by Tom Santopietro was. Beautiful Memories when I was very little, watching her films with my grandad and I just wanted to grow up as beautiful as Audrey Hepburn, especially the way she dressed! I loved everything about her, so this book was just amazing to learn more about her.

This book was just beautiful and it was a lovely account of the Life of Audrey Hepburn, starting from her childhood during World War II moving on to her life in Hollywood etc.. This book would be a brilliant present for any Audrey Hepburn fan and would look great on display especially as it is has beautiful colour, and black/white pictures of Audrey throughout and packed with so much about her.
This would be a book I would have loved to share with my grandad. . . . . . to have that magical memory back again

I loved reading this book.

[Lyn D Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful and lovely well written tribute of Audrey Hepburn. It had many gourgeous and stunning color photos. It gives a captivating documentation from her birth until she passes. I really found this such a charming and lovely read of a precious icon. I highly recommend reading!

[CeNèdra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just amazing how Santopietro takes you on the journey through Audrey’s life. I learned so many things about her that I never knew and what made her unique. What a lovely person she was, his writing made me appreciate her all the more and why she is timeless in every way.

[Rosa Julian · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a huge Audrey Hepburn fan, I can't wait to see the physical copy.
The book delves into Audrey's personal and professional life, including details I didn't know before.
I really enjoyed it!

[Marge · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exquisite biography which includes fabulous photos

[Emily Burich · Rating 3 out of 5]

very interesting and beautiful pics but it was SO detailed. felt like reading a history book

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I have to bing watch Audrey Hepburn movies!