Life & Living

What All Female Personal Brands Can Learn from Audrey Hepburn

Hana Klokner 19 October 2015

I went to the National Portrait Gallery last week to see the exhibition Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of the Icon. The photographs spread across two not so big rooms, but were crowded with people looking almost obsessively at one of the most influential women of all times.

It’s no wonder that women are amazed by her even today. Audrey Hepburn is known for having it all, but at the same time it’s known she had to give up a lot for it. And, unlike many other Hollywood stars, she could keep her head up at the same time. That’s why I think she’s still relevant today and to everyone who wants to create a personal brand on social media.

1. She Lived a Life of a Purpose

It seems like Audrey’s life was always filled with what she could do for others. As a teenager, she risked her life in WW2, and even her acting career didn’t stop her later to continue her work at United Nations. For she was there for other, she was much bigger than herself.

2. Her Family Was Very Important to Her

Audrey loved her acting career, but she never stopped caring about her family. She had two children from two marriages. After having her second son, she took a long break from the film industry…

3. She Never Stop Believing in Love

Even though Audrey’s love life wasn’t always a bed of roses, she never stopped fighting for love. She was married twice and she knew what it was like to be cheated on, but also what it was like to cheat on someone else. Eventually, she didn’t have to fight for love anymore. She won it when she met her last partner with whom she stayed until her death — merry, but unmarried.

4. She Learnt to Love Herself

It’s ironic that one of the most beautiful women in the world thought she wasn’t pretty at all. When Audrey started her career, she made many many negative comments about her looks.

“I never thought I’d land in pictures with a face like mine.”

Eventually, as you see her in pictures, you can see she grew comfortable with her looks and body and aged gracefully. As a woman myself, I see Audrey as a great source of what’s possible for us when we truly embrace who we are. I see this on Instagram, the most powerful personal brands embrace their “imperfections” and are proud of who they are.

5. She Gave up a Lot to Have It All

The biggest quality I see in Audrey is her vulnerability. Although she had a great career and life, she never stopped being open even about the parts of her life that weren’t working. She had five miscarriages and often struggled with her health, but she never talked about herself as the victim of the circumstances. In her interviews she never sounded bitter. In fact, she was the opposite — always grateful for what she had, because she gave up a lot to have what she had.

Audrey Hepburn Forever

Audrey remains an icon to date, still loved by millions of fans, and thousands of items sold daily that remind us of this legend. Which Audrey Hepburn’s qualities inspire you the most?