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Intimate Audrey: An Authorized Biography
The deeply personal official biography of Audrey Hepburn, full of untold stories, exclusive photos, and cherished memories from her son Sean Hepburn Ferrer, one of the people who knew her best.
To those who appreciate her work and legacy, Audrey Hepburn was many things. She was a child survivor of the Second World War. She was a fashion icon who made the little black dress the symbol of elegance that it is today. She played a runaway princess, an eccentric socialite, and a nun struggling with her faith. But perhaps her greatest contribution to the world was as a selfless humanitarian in the final years of her life, proving that fear and trauma can be transmuted into kindness and art.
For Sean Hepburn Ferrer, Audrey was also his mother. In Intimate Audrey, he candidly recounts how the shy “girl from across the landing” became the star we remember and love today. Featuring never-before-seen photographs and excerpts from her personal letters, this book is an intimate portrait of as an icon, as a mother, and as an altruist who drew on her own experience of hunger and suffering to advocate fiercely for children in war-torn and famine-stricken countries.
Audrey shines in this moving portrait of a mother by her son; a lyrical ode to a visionary woman who continues to defy all expectations decades after her death.
To those who appreciate her work and legacy, Audrey Hepburn was many things. She was a child survivor of the Second World War. She was a fashion icon who made the little black dress the symbol of elegance that it is today. She played a runaway princess, an eccentric socialite, and a nun struggling with her faith. But perhaps her greatest contribution to the world was as a selfless humanitarian in the final years of her life, proving that fear and trauma can be transmuted into kindness and art.
For Sean Hepburn Ferrer, Audrey was also his mother. In Intimate Audrey, he candidly recounts how the shy “girl from across the landing” became the star we remember and love today. Featuring never-before-seen photographs and excerpts from her personal letters, this book is an intimate portrait of as an icon, as a mother, and as an altruist who drew on her own experience of hunger and suffering to advocate fiercely for children in war-torn and famine-stricken countries.
Audrey shines in this moving portrait of a mother by her son; a lyrical ode to a visionary woman who continues to defy all expectations decades after her death.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2026
47 people are currently reading
464 people want to read
About the author
Sean Hepburn Ferrer
9 books86 followersSon of Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer, born in 1960.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 8, 2026
Lovely, and certainly provides a better sense of what Audrey was really like than any other book. I had hoped for a deeper dive, though. Perhaps Sean wanted to avoid being too salacious. But I found it odd that he would say random things like calling Robert Wolders a doormat but be vague elsewhere.
I have to say I didn’t like the screenplay chapter openings, but at least they were brief. I was also left wondering about Luca’s relationship with Sean and with his mother, since he’s barely mentioned.
I have to say I didn’t like the screenplay chapter openings, but at least they were brief. I was also left wondering about Luca’s relationship with Sean and with his mother, since he’s barely mentioned.
April 17, 2026
Interesting perspective to tell about Audrey. Not just a story but connecting thoughts. Most of the biography makes it seem that her WW2 experiences were the major influences in every element of her life. Audiobook was cool to hear because her son was the narrator and then the actress giving Audrey a voice was really good at mimicking her. I would've liked more insight into her story but this was a really good book.
April 18, 2026
A Heartfelt and Moving Portrayal
Audrey Hepburn’s elder son, Sean Ferrer, has teamed with journalist and author Wendy Holden to pen a heartfelt and moving portrait of film icon Audrey Hepburn.
This biography centers on Hepburn’s personal life and the forces that shaped her character and worldview. In Ferrer’s telling, Hepburn was shaped by a traumatic upbringing, deeply shaken by her parents’ divorce, her father’s abandonment and her mother’s cold perfectionism (”You’re not that interesting.” “Put others first.”) What little security Hepburn gleaned from her passion for ballet and several years in a small English village was uprooted by her return to her mother’s native Holland and years of privation under Nazi occupation.
Despite her beauty, skyrocketing career and the adoration of millions, Hepburn never outgrew her upbringing. Her father’s defection and mother’s criticisms left her starved for affection and security, distrustful of her worth, perennially anxious and determined to please others unconditionally. These traits served Hepburn well in her career— she was a dedicated and professional actress whole put the needs of the production first — but led her to linger too long in unfulfilling marriages.
Hepburn was also shaped by the trauma of war. Her experiences in World War II Holland ignited her passion to protect children affected by conflict, leading to a effective career as a global UNICEF ambassador.
This biography reveals Audrey Hepburn as a woman of uncommon intelligence, conviction and principle who leveraged her stardom in service to important humanitarian work.
Audrey Hepburn’s elder son, Sean Ferrer, has teamed with journalist and author Wendy Holden to pen a heartfelt and moving portrait of film icon Audrey Hepburn.
This biography centers on Hepburn’s personal life and the forces that shaped her character and worldview. In Ferrer’s telling, Hepburn was shaped by a traumatic upbringing, deeply shaken by her parents’ divorce, her father’s abandonment and her mother’s cold perfectionism (”You’re not that interesting.” “Put others first.”) What little security Hepburn gleaned from her passion for ballet and several years in a small English village was uprooted by her return to her mother’s native Holland and years of privation under Nazi occupation.
Despite her beauty, skyrocketing career and the adoration of millions, Hepburn never outgrew her upbringing. Her father’s defection and mother’s criticisms left her starved for affection and security, distrustful of her worth, perennially anxious and determined to please others unconditionally. These traits served Hepburn well in her career— she was a dedicated and professional actress whole put the needs of the production first — but led her to linger too long in unfulfilling marriages.
Hepburn was also shaped by the trauma of war. Her experiences in World War II Holland ignited her passion to protect children affected by conflict, leading to a effective career as a global UNICEF ambassador.
This biography reveals Audrey Hepburn as a woman of uncommon intelligence, conviction and principle who leveraged her stardom in service to important humanitarian work.
April 12, 2026
3.5 stars.
She may not have thought of herself that way, but I think Audrey Hepburn was a saint and a one of a kind woman.
This is an unusual biography in that it was partly written by her son which I think makes it a lot more personal and compared to other biographies on her you get a deeper sense of the kind of woman and mother she was. It also goes more into depth about her childhood in Nazi occupied Holland and her work with UNICEF than other biographies I've read.
However the details are light and vague when it comes to her career in Hollywood and you get just a few brief pages on her famous movie roles and the famous directors and co-stars that she worked with which was disappointing to me because that's what I enjoy reading about.
All in all I think this would be a good read for people already familiar with the life and work of Audrey and who are interested in getting to know who she was on a deeper level.
But for those like myself looking for more on her movie career I'd suggest picking up a different biography.
She may not have thought of herself that way, but I think Audrey Hepburn was a saint and a one of a kind woman.
This is an unusual biography in that it was partly written by her son which I think makes it a lot more personal and compared to other biographies on her you get a deeper sense of the kind of woman and mother she was. It also goes more into depth about her childhood in Nazi occupied Holland and her work with UNICEF than other biographies I've read.
However the details are light and vague when it comes to her career in Hollywood and you get just a few brief pages on her famous movie roles and the famous directors and co-stars that she worked with which was disappointing to me because that's what I enjoy reading about.
All in all I think this would be a good read for people already familiar with the life and work of Audrey and who are interested in getting to know who she was on a deeper level.
But for those like myself looking for more on her movie career I'd suggest picking up a different biography.
April 20, 2026
Audrey Hepburn was an amazingly beautiful, spiritual and highly talented human being. She embodied kindness and compassion. In fact, her motto was "Be Kind".
Sean Hepburn Ferrer's book is a revelation about a woman and mother that only a son could write along with his co-auther, Wendy Holden.
What a life! She experienced the horrors of Nazi occupation during her childhood in Holland and went on to become one of Hollywood's brightest stars. Anne Frank was a kindred soul.
Sean Hepburn Ferrer's book is a revelation about a woman and mother that only a son could write along with his co-auther, Wendy Holden.
What a life! She experienced the horrors of Nazi occupation during her childhood in Holland and went on to become one of Hollywood's brightest stars. Anne Frank was a kindred soul.
April 23, 2026
When you have a love for Audrey like I do with a tattoo of her on your arm you have to read this book! It was wonderful to read the stories that Sean tells of his mother and the life that she had away from the camera. It just makes you love her more.
April 24, 2026
Forever in love with Audrey🥺♥️
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews