Audrey Hepburn captivated the world with beauty, talent, and humanitarian spirit. Decades after her passing, her granddaughter has emerged as a remarkable reflection of the iconic actress’s legacy.
Audrey Hepburn rose to fame as a talented actress and subsequently became a beacon of beauty and grace. Beyond her iconic career in film and fashion, she was also a devoted mother, raising two sons who would later become fathers themselves.
Audrey Hepburn as Princess Ann in “Roman Holiday,” circa 1953. | Source: Getty Images
Though she passed away before meeting her grandchildren, the actress’s legacy lives on through them, most notably through her eldest granddaughter — from their shared passion for the arts and philanthropy to their striking resemblance.
Audrey Hepburn with the Special Award she received from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 1992. | Source: Getty Images
Audrey Hepburn’s Marriages and Her Sons
In 1954, Audrey married actor Mel Ferrer, a man 12 years her senior. Their marriage, lasting 14 years, was fraught with difficulties. Mel reportedly sought to control Audrey’s career, a dynamic that left her deeply unhappy.
Mel Ferrer and Audrey Hepburn on their wedding day in 1954. | Source: Getty Images
To alleviate the strain in their relationship, both engaged in extramarital affairs. Despite the turmoil, they welcomed a son, Sean, on July 17, 1960. By 1968, the tension became insurmountable, and the couple parted ways.
Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer photographed with their son Sean in Switzerland on July 20, 1960. | Source: Getty Images
Hoping for a fresh start, the iconic actress married Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti in 1969. The couple had a son, Luca, on February 8, 1970. While their relationship began with promise, Andrea’s infidelity, marked by a series of affairs with younger women, ultimately led to their divorce in 1982.
Audrey Hepburn photographed with her son Luca Dotti in her home in Switzerland in 1971. | Source: Getty Images
Audrey found lasting happiness in her later years with Dutch actor Robert Wolders. Though they never married, she spent her final years with Robert until her death in 1993, at 63. The actress passed away at her home in Tolochenaz, Switzerland, after battling colon cancer.
Audrey Hepburn at the 64th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, on March 30, 1992. | Source: Getty Images
Her eldest son has dedicated much of his life to preserving Audrey’s legacy. For over 40 years, he has worked in various aspects of the film industry, including production and marketing.
Along with Luca, Sean co-owns his mother’s rights of publicity, a role that includes licensing her likeness and discovering unseen photographs from her creative shoots.
Sean Ferrer and Audrey Hepburn in New York on November 11, 1979. | Source: Getty Images
In 2020, Sean collaborated with his wife to write the children’s book “Little Audrey’s Daydream,” which aimed to introduce Audrey’s life and values to a younger generation.
“Wouldn’t it be [a] lovely way to sort of tell her story, her real life, as a daydream for children who do that sometimes?” her eldest son shared.
Sean Ferrer at The 2nd Annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn Society Ball on October 14, 2014, in Houston, Texas. | Source: Getty Images
Beyond his professional life, Sean is also a father of three — a daughter, Emma Ferrer, and two sons, Gregorio and Santiago, who live more privately.
Audrey’s youngest son has also embraced the role of storyteller, chronicling his mother’s extraordinary life. As an author, he has written several books, including “Audrey in Rome,” which reflects on the actress’s personal style and life.
Audrey Hepburn and her son Luca spotted at an airport in April 1984. | Source: Getty Images
“I was more private,” Luca admitted about his early writing. “I was more into keeping my mother’s memory for myself. I sensed the craziness around Audrey Hepburn as a marketing gig because that was my perception [at the time].”
Luca Dotti at an exhibition and auction of items belonging to his mother in 2003. | Source: Getty Images
However, in 2023, he took to Instagram to announce the release of “Audrey Hepburn in Paris” alongside co-author Meghan Friedlander, a lifelong Hepburn admirer. The book delves into Audrey’s favorite places, iconic fashion moments, relationships with industry legends like Givenchy, and more.
“The book is filled with gorgeous photos, many never before seen,” the social media post read in part. Beyond his writing, Luca leads a quiet life in Rome with his wife, Domitilla Bertusi, and their two daughters, whom he shared a glimpse of on social media in 2018.
Through their individual endeavors, Sean and Luca have ensured that Audrey’s legacy endures. Their commitment to celebrating their mother’s life has introduced her elegance and values to a new generation, keeping her timeless influence alive for years to come.
Luca Dotti and Sean Ferrer at the “Audrey in Rome” Opening Exhibition during the 6th International Rome Film Festival on October 25, 2011, in Italy. | Source: Getty Images
Emma Ferrer – Audrey Hepburn’s Granddaughter and Her Living Legacy
Emma Ferrer was born in 1994, just a year after her iconic grandmother passed away. Though she never met the legendary actress, her life and work are a testament to Audrey’s enduring influence.
“As I grow older, I understand who she was on different levels. […] So where my grandmother is concerned it’s now my mission, along with my father, to try to help round out that image,” she shared.
Emma Ferrer at the Lanvin show during Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2015 on September 25, 2014, in France. | Source: Getty Images
A portrait of Audrey Hepburn taken in 1992 | Source: Getty Images
From her physical resemblance to her humanitarian pursuits, Emma carries on the “My Fair Lady” star’s legacy in meaningful ways. With her almond-shaped brown eyes and porcelain complexion, Emma bears an uncanny resemblance to Audrey.
Audrey Hepburn in 1955 | Source: Getty Images
Emma Ferrer at the ELLE Cancer Ball on October 17, 2023, in Madrid, Spain. | Source: Getty Images
In May 2021, she took to Instagram to share stunning snaps of herself, and one social media user commented, “You are your grandmother’s granddaughter 🥰.” Another person typed, “You look so pretty! 😍❤️.” “Wow!!” a third person said. Another social media user wrote, “Oh My 😍😍😍.”
“You look just like your grandma 😍,” another person remarked on a July 2022 post of the painter. Another person shared, “‘You are a beautiful young lady in your own right,’ you do give a resemblance to Audrey Hepburn, be like her, she was a very lovely person❤️👏👏.”
In 2023, Audrey’s granddaughter wowed in a clip shared on Instagram, and one person commented, “Ohh Emma You look like your grandma in this video 🥹🩷.” Even after her death, the “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” star’s outlook on beauty and aging still inspired her granddaughter.
“There was a photo of my grandmother, beautiful, of her with a baby in her arms that had been selected as the best of the year. This photo was retouched to make it perfect,” Emma shared. “When she saw it, she said to the photographer, ‘Don’t you dare take away my wrinkles, I have deserved them all!’ This phrase became a bit of a legend but I think that for a woman, growing old should be a hope.”
Emma Kathleen Ferrer attends Harper’s Bazaar’s 150th anniversary party in New York City on April 19, 2017 | Source: Getty Images
Audrey Hepburn at the 58th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles in 1986. | Source: Getty Images
Beyond her beauty, Emma also inherited the family’s artistic spirit, having grown up in a family shaped by creativity — from her grandfather’s career as a celebrated actor to her father’s work as a filmmaker and beyond.
Emma reflected on her family’s cinematic heritage, “It’s central to who I am, and a huge source of support. I feel very proud of all those in my family who helped to make great cinema.”
Audrey Hepburn circa 1957 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
She grew up surrounded by cultural diversity, living in Switzerland, Los Angeles, and Italy during her formative years. She completed her education in Italy, attending art school, before moving to New York for six years to further develop her artistic talents.
In more recent years, Emma has split her time between Italy and the United States, continuing to pursue her passion for painting. “[…] I soon realized that I am actually a painter and this is my path,” she explained when asked about her career.
Modeling and acting, however, played a role in her journey. Audrey’s granddaughter appeared in films such as the documentary “Audrey: More Than an Icon” in 2020, as well as “The Man in the Attic” and “Hell’s Tuesday” in 2021.
As a child, Emma recalls seeing Audrey’s face on posters or bags and exclaiming, “That’s my grandmother!” Over time, she has come to appreciate what Audrey represented to the world, describing the discovery as a lifelong journey.
A portrait of Audrey Hepburn taken in 1955 | Source: Getty Images
She admitted that understanding Audrey’s profound cultural significance has been an ongoing process. “I didn’t know her and let’s say my earliest memories go back to when my father tried to explain to me who she was but I had no concept of what ‘fame’ meant,” she said.
Audrey Hepburn on the set of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” on January 1, 1961 | Source: Getty Images
In addition to her artistic endeavors, Emma has embraced Audrey’s humanitarian legacy. She became a spokesperson for UNICEF, the organization her grandmother famously championed. “I really do want to be of the people,” she admitted.
Audrey Hepburn gives a press conference after her return from Somalia in London on September 29, 1992 | Source: Getty Images
Emma Kathleen Hepburn Ferrer speaks at the Second Annual UNICEF Gala in San Francisco, California, on September 22, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
“I have always been involved in UNICEF-related activities. When I lived in New York, I traveled to many states to talk about my grandmother’s experience as a war refugee. It is then the reason why she dedicated herself to children’s lives — it was a subject she felt deeply,” Emma remarked.
Audrey Hepburn takes time to get to know some schoolchildren in uniform in a small village close to Hanoi on October 1, 1990 | Source: Getty Images
Despite the pressure of being related to such a global icon, Emma has grown more at ease with her role. “It’s become much easier as I’ve grown up,” she shared. “The most important thing for me is to keep getting better and better as a painter and artist. That’s the source of my confidence.”
Emma also finds strength in the values she shares with her grandmother. “We are both artists. Like her, I try to live my life with integrity and kindness, and to always be a lady,” she said.
Audrey Hepburn in the 1950s | Source: Getty Images
Today, Emma enjoys a fulfilling life with her boyfriend and two dogs. She balances her personal life with her creative pursuits and humanitarian work, embodying the essence of Audrey Hepburn’s legacy.