BEYOND Audrey Hepburn - Rose Media
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Retro
Audrey Hepburn The actress and
humanitarian at
her home ‘La
Paisible’ in the
Swiss village of
Tolochenaz c.1990.
BEYOND
THE ICON
Audrey’s younger son, Luca Dotti, shares with Imogen
A. Rose never-before-seen images and touching
memories of life with his legendary mother.
Audrey at Villa
Rolli, on the
outskirts of
Rome, in 1954.
68 The Australian Women’s Weekly | FEBRUARY 2021
Retro
The unavoidability of her fame
with “her face looking out at me from
every newsstand” was so intrusive at
a personal and emotional level that
Luca could only “mourn for her now
and then”. It took time for him to
come to terms with his mother’s iconic
status; to resolve the public and
private impressions of a woman he’d
known and loved only as his mother.
Luca was born in 1970, after
Audrey married her second husband,
Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti.
Audrey had made the decision to
retire from films, choosing to focus
on her family. It was an easy decision
IMAGES COURTESY OF LUCA DOTTI, FROM HIS BEST-SELLING BIOGRAPHY AUDREY AT HOME, AS PUBLISHED BY HARPER DESIGN, AN IMPRINT OF HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHERS.
and one she never regretted.
Luca remembers a “wonderful
mother” who was “present and
loving”, and he remained mostly
unaware of his mother’s star status
as a child. Thus, despite the comings
and goings of many famous friends
including Julie Andrews, Hubert de
Givenchy and Roger Moore, Luca
grew up in a relatively normal world.
His mum might have been an initial
curiosity to school friends whose
parents were familiar with her
glamorous image, but illusions soon
dissipated when they realised how
“ordinary” she was.
S
he had an undeniable and share rare and exclusive insight into Luca describes Audrey as “in a sense The life of Audrey (clockwise from above):
rehearsing for Secret People circa 1951;
extraordinary impact upon the woman beyond the star. very British or Anglo-Saxon” and
with Hubert de Givenchy in Tokyo, 1983;
the world, especially in film An intensely private person, Luca says she held a fundamental belief with her father in Belgium, 1938; with
and fashion, and to this day is warm, sincere and determined to in the importance of education. Luca in Los Angeles, 1979; in Giglio, 1968.
Audrey Hepburn remains make a difference. He lives in Rome Like every parent, she had “cares, Opposite: Audrey on a gondola in Venice in
one of the most iconic symbols of with his wife and three children. reservations and worries”. Although 1965 – photographed by actor Yul Brynner.
elegance, dignity and style. As a child, he boldly challenged there were the usual teenage
In Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sabrina, journalists who were unrelentingly “misunderstandings”, ultimately, Luca
Roman Holiday, Funny Face or the questioning him about being the son knew his mother believed in him.
countless breathtaking Givenchy of Audrey Hepburn with the retort: She was also able to communicate
designs, she provided the fashion “You are mistaken. I am the son of in such a way that Luca “wanted to
template for so many stars and styles. Mrs. Dotti!” It was a telling remark, comply”. For instance, she never
And then, of course, there were for one detects the same sentiment pressured him or shouted about study.
her distinct, defining hairstyles – the today when he says: “Sometimes you She simply provided meaning through
sweeping updo or the perfect pixie cut just wish your mother was the one experience and context, saying:
that magnified her exquisite face. Such you knew, which was enough.” “I couldn’t study because of the
was the extent of her influence that, Luca was 23 years old when his war; now I am able to send you to
chances are, even those who have not mother succumbed to cancer in 1993. school and it’s a wonderful thing!”
seen an Audrey Hepburn film would The death of a parent is a traumatic Luca says his mother really did see
recognise her image instantly. experience for any child, but Luca’s herself as a working woman, rather
But behind her fashion and film grief was compounded by the sudden than a star. She worked hard so that
persona, what was Audrey Hepburn confrontation with the enormity of she could have a home and a family,
really like? The star’s younger son, his mother’s fame. It was, he says, and look after both well. Audrey’s
Luca Dotti, along with her dear friend like waking up and being told: “By insistence on the right of every child
and UNICEF colleague Christa Roth, the way, your father is Superman.” to an education was something →
70 The Australian Women’s Weekly | FEBRUARY 2021 FEBRUARY 2021 | The Australian Women’s Weekly 71
Retro
Audrey, seen here
with local children in
she passionately fought for
Spain in the 1960s,
during her subsequent work was typically adored
with UNICEF. by children.
Audrey did not seek the
limelight – life somehow led
her there. Her career appeared
to be one Cinderella moment
after another, and indeed her
face, her voice, her presence
and her charm were such
that she might as easily have
stepped forth from the pages
of a fairytale. Yet, like most
people, she experienced her
own insecurities.
Luca says that, as an actress,
his mother would always rise
early, between 4am and 5am
in order to learn her lines, to
accomplish her look, and as
Clockwise from above: a response to a sense of
Audrey and actor Peter inadequacy. She never really
Ustinov celebrate Christa overcame her professional
AS PUBLISHED BY HARPER DESIGN, AN IMPRINT OF HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHERS. IMAGE SUPPLIED BY CHRISTA ROTH AND USED WITH PERMISSION.
PORTRAIT SHOT OF LUCA DOTTI ©JASMINE BERTUSI. IMAGES COURTESY OF LUCA DOTTI, FROM HIS BEST-SELLING BIOGRAPHY AUDREY AT HOME,
Roth’s 50th birthday at self-doubt or what she saw
Audrey’s home in Switzerland; as a lack of experience and
Audrey and Christa at a
expertise. As a consequence,
fundraising event, 1990; Luca
Dotti; Audrey on a UNICEF Audrey felt obliged to work
mission in Somalia in 1992. even harder.
She remained a morning “Sometimes you just wish your
person throughout her life, and
those first hours of the day
provided the opportunity for
mother was the one you knew.”
Luca and his mother to share that remains with him. Indeed, he Luca says she understood that by
many meaningful conversations and describes regularly feeling his mother’s being ‘Audrey Hepburn’ she could
confidences. This was especially true presence in his garden. Luca says attract attention to humanitarian
during the final years of Audrey’s life, Audrey had immense respect for issues and “keep people focused” on
when Luca says he came “to better nature and for food. She would areas of crisis. He remains struck by
know and understand my mother as “explain how things are alive, how the impact she had and by what he
a person” around the breakfast table. things, including food, are a gift”. describes as “the strength of her
Audrey was an intelligent woman His mother “rarely talked about her aura”. He says: “There are parts of it
and she understood the power of career,” says Luca. “But she talked that you can explain and others that
image, though importantly, she was a lot about the years during the war you know are a little bit of magic.”
not a woman defined by fashion. In when, especially by the end of the There was something simple and
fact, both Luca and Christa recall war, food was gone. And that stayed personal about her magnetic appeal.
a woman more comfortable in jeans, with her. Hunger stays with you.” There was an inclusiveness – a feeling
ballet flats and with her hair loosely Audrey loved to cook and it was of belonging. Audrey made audiences
tied back. She was dedicated and a passion she shared with her son. feel part of her world. What’s more,
driven, renowned for her punctuality, “One of her favourite recipes was she emanated an enthusiasm for life.
courteousness and strong work ethic, always tomato sauce for the pasta, One finds it in the films and photos,
but her heart revolved around love with the smell of basil and ripe and most of all, this joie de vivre
of family and home. tomatoes,” he recalls. Indeed, many exists in the memories and hearts
Luca describes his mother “as a very of Audrey’s best recipes can be found of those who knew and loved her.
hands-on parent”. They enjoyed and in Luca’s book, Audrey at Home: As a former graphic designer, Luca
would laugh about the sense of smell, Memories of My Mother’s Kitchen. has a particular interest in imagery.
“good and bad smells, flower smells Interestingly, it was not until quite “It’s true,” he says of those ubiquitous
or a certain perfume, orange late in her life that Audrey had any images of his mother, “you do feel that
blossoms”. It was a strong connection real sense of the enormity of her fame. sense of being happy to be alive.” →
72 The Australian Women’s Weekly | FEBRUARY 2021 FEBRUARY 2021 | The Australian Women’s Weekly 73
Retro
“I always felt, when Audrey
walked into a room,
the lights went on.”
In March 1988, Audrey was
appointed UNICEF Special
Ambassador. The following year,
she became a UNICEF Goodwill
Ambassador. Life had come full circle.
UNICEF symbolised her gratitude
for the life-saving aid she received
from the United Nations and the
Red Cross on Holland’s liberation in
World War II. UNICEF allowed her
to contribute in a way that truly
came from her heart and soul.
In her role in UNICEF’s Goodwill
Ambassadors and Special Events
Section, Christa Roth liaised closely
with Audrey. Their first in-person
meeting occurred in Tokyo and
Christa recalls her “wobbly knees”
and nervousness beforehand.
However, “Audrey was immediately
so welcoming,” she says fondly.
The two women found they had Audrey in
much in common and developed St. Moritz,
Switzerland,
a close friendship. “Audrey was so
at Christmas
special,” says Christa. “There was time in 1958.
something that came from her that
touched everybody immediately.”
It was a goodness that was not trips they shared and the private the better. Although Audrey died at
IMAGES COURTESY OF LUCA DOTTI, FROM HIS BEST-SELLING BIOGRAPHY AUDREY AT HOME,
lost on the children in the many moments when they talked – the only 63 years of age, she had, says
impoverished countries Audrey moments of meaning, when deep Luca, lived a “complete life”.
visited; places where the characters bonds were formed. Audrey Hepburn was a woman who
AS PUBLISHED BY HARPER DESIGN, AN IMPRINT OF HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHERS.
of Holly Golightly, Eliza Doolittle She will always cherish her 50th touched the lives of millions because
and Princess Ann would have meant birthday celebration, which Audrey of the way she lived her life, valued
nothing. Audrey was a woman with made unforgettable. Originally her friends, valued humanity, the
no history there – she gave only of intended as a small gathering at world, nature and indeed, through the
herself and the children embraced her. a restaurant, Audrey instead organised way she dedicated herself tirelessly to
“There was something that came a celebration for Christa at her own the rights of children and UNICEF.
from her which they realised they home. “She really did everything,” Her powerful legacy continues to
could cling to, and be with her,” says Christa of the wonderful day she create meaningful change and alleviate
Christa explains. “She would sit created among friends, including a suffering throughout the world. AWW
among them and she was always jovial Peter Ustinov. It may have been
very much at their level.” winter in Switzerland but the sun was Audrey at Home: Memories of My
The international response shining on Audrey’s “very comfortable Mother’s Kitchen by Luca Dotti &
to Audrey’s involvement was but simple” 18th-century country Luigi Spinola, Harper Collins, is
phenomenal, and enabled issues of home, which had a beautiful garden available in bookstores and online.
desperate need to receive invaluable with a magnificent weeping willow.
funding and awareness. Audrey understood the value of life. Imogen A. Rose is a writer based in
“I always felt, when she walked She believed we have a responsibility Brisbane. She is currently writing a
into a room, that the lights went on,” as individuals and as part of a global book about Audrey Hepburn.
says Christa, who recalls with joy the community to make a difference for rosemedia.com.au
74 The Australian Women’s Weekly | FEBRUARY 2021
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