No one can deny that Audrey Hepburn is one of the most iconic actresses that has ever graced the screen. Born on May 4th, 1929, and considered by many British, she's actually a bit more international than one might think.

She was born in Brussels, grew up in Belgium, England, and The Netherlands, and just so happens to have been fluent in 5 languages. English and Dutch, which she learned from her parents, she additionally knew French, Spanish, and Italian.

A curious fact about her parents, her dad was British and supported Hitler. In 1935 he left his wife and daughter and in 1938 the divorce was finalized. Audrey reestablished a relationship with him in the 60s and supported him financially until his death.

When it comes to dancing she learned ballet first in Amsterdam and then in London under the instruction of some of the most influential ballerinas at the beginning of the 20th century.

Due to the constant starvation of living under nazi occupation, she was advised to give up her dream of being a prima ballerina. And with that, she packed away her ballet slippers and moved onto the silver screen.

She was first cast into a series of minor roles and then made her breakthrough to the theatre as the lead female in the Broadway play Gigi.

Originally Roman Holiday (1953) was supposed to star Elizabeth Taylor but after Audrey Hepburn's charismatic audition the director William Wyler cast her immediately. Fun fact: the film was supposed to only have Gregory's name showcased but apparently Peck told Wyler: "You've got to change that because she'll be a big star and I'll look like a big jerk!"

Audrey was an actress that the American public could identify with

She wasn't the overly glamorous Grace Kelly or Elizabeth Taylor, but was slender, with her boyish short hairstyle and those eyebrows. And, since no one can be perfect, you might be interested to know that she wore a size 10 shoe.

Her iconic role was probably as Holly Golightly in Blake Edwards's 1961 Breakfast a Tiffany's

Capote, the author of the short novel the movie was lovely based on, originally disapproved of Audrey as the lead actress but later admitted to the fact that she "did a terrific job".

She continued to be successful on the big screen appearing in Sabrina (1954), My Fair Lady (1964) among others including her last film Always, by Steven Speilberg.

Audrey Hepburn is one of the few actresses that has gained access to the EGOT Club membership winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. The Oscar of course being for Roman Holiday.

Along with a successful movie career she volunteered with UNICEF including missions in Ethiopia, Turkey, Vietnam, Sudan, and Bangladesh. After returning from Somalia in September 1992 she underwent tests for abdominal pains but nothing was reviewed until early November in Los Angeles where they discovered a rare form of abdominal cancer.

The treatment did little to help and on January 20th, 1993 she passed away peacefully in her sleep

Let's finish off this with some of the amazing wisdom she left behind:

A woman can be beautiful as well as intellectual.

~Audrey Hepburn

They say love is the best investment; the more you give, the more you get in return.

~Audrey Hepburn

Success is like reaching an important birthday and finding you're exactly the same.

~Audrey Hepburn

As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

~Audrey Hepburn

Good things aren't supposed to just fall into your lap. God is very generous, but he expects you to do your part first.

~Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn ladies and gentlemen.