The Secret Behind Audrey Hepburn’s Favorite Book – What The Secret Garden Reveals About Her

Audrey Hepburn’s legacy as an icon of elegance, style, and grace continues to captivate the world, even more than two decades after her passing in 1993. Known for her iconic role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), Hepburn’s influence as an actress and humanitarian has stood the test of time. However, her passions extended far beyond the Hollywood spotlight, with literature holding a special place in her heart. Among her many literary loves, one book stood out as her all-time favorite: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

A Life Marked by Hardship and Perseverance

Hepburn’s early years were shaped by hardship. Born in 1929 in Belgium, she experienced the challenges of WWII while living in the Netherlands. Her family, having been affected by the war’s toll, struggled financially. Despite these difficulties, Hepburn’s determination and passion for the arts led her to pursue ballet and acting. After the war, she moved with her mother and siblings to Amsterdam, where she began her life in the performing arts. She made her first film appearance in 1948, playing a small role in Dutch in Seven Lessons, a travel documentary, before setting her sights on bigger stages in London and eventually Hollywood.

Despite her early struggles and a short-lived ballet career, Hepburn’s perseverance led her to Hollywood stardom, where her poise and grace became her defining characteristics. While some critics questioned her acting abilities in comparison to her peers, it was Hepburn’s undeniable charm, elegance, and ability to embody the essence of class that made her a timeless symbol in the entertainment industry.

The Heart of an Artist

Beyond her film career, Hepburn’s personal life revealed a deep love for the arts. As a devoted reader, Hepburn’s favorite book was The Secret Garden, a tale that mirrored her own experiences with transformation and healing. The novel, written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, tells the story of Mary Lennox, a neglected and lonely child who discovers a magical garden on her uncle’s estate. Through her exploration and care of the garden, Mary experiences personal growth, healing from emotional neglect, and finding joy in the beauty of nature.

For Hepburn, The Secret Garden symbolized more than just a tale of childhood wonder. It resonated deeply with her own life journey of overcoming adversity and finding a sense of purpose. Having faced immense challenges as a child, Hepburn’s connection to the story of Mary Lennox reflects her own resilience and ability to bloom in difficult circumstances. The novel’s themes of renewal and hope, coupled with its magical realism, align with the grace and transformation Hepburn embodied throughout her own career.

The Secret Garden on Screen

Hepburn’s love for The Secret Garden remained well-known throughout her life, and its influence can still be felt today. The novel has been adapted into numerous films, with each version bringing a new perspective to the classic tale. In 1993, a film adaptation was released, and more recently in 2020, The Secret Garden was brought to life again on the big screen, directed by Marc Munden. The 2020 adaptation, starring Dixie Egerickx and Colin Firth, offered a fresh interpretation while staying true to the novel’s enduring themes of growth and renewal.

While Hepburn did not live to see the latest adaptation, it’s easy to imagine that she would have appreciated the modern flair with which this beloved story was retold. The timeless nature of The Secret Garden resonates not only with audiences of Hepburn’s generation but continues to captivate new generations today, much like the actress herself.

A Legacy Beyond Hollywood

Audrey Hepburn’s enduring legacy as an actress, humanitarian, and symbol of elegance is complemented by her love of literature, particularly The Secret Garden. Hepburn’s life, filled with challenges and triumphs, mirrors the transformative journey of Mary Lennox. Both women, though from different times and places, discovered beauty, healing, and strength through their personal growth.

Hepburn’s love for this novel speaks to the depth of her character and her ability to connect with stories of personal transformation. The themes of renewal and the power of nature in The Secret Garden serve as a reminder of the quiet strength that made Audrey Hepburn not just an icon of beauty and grace, but also an emblem of resilience and hope—qualities that continue to inspire us today.