Audrey Hepburn’s First Love: The Untold Story of Her Engagement and Why It All Fell Apart

Audrey Hepburn’s cinematic legacy is steeped in stories of romance that captivated audiences worldwide, from the whirlwind affair in Roman Holiday to the charming love triangle in Sabrina and the unforgettable allure of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Yet, away from the cameras, the actress’s personal love life was much more complicated, filled with heartbreak, separation, and unfulfilled promises. One of the most surprising chapters in Hepburn’s romantic life occurred before her Hollywood career had fully taken off, when she called off her engagement to millionaire industrialist James Hanson just before their wedding.

Audrey’s First Engagement

In 1951, Audrey Hepburn found herself engaged to James Hanson, a prominent English industrialist seven years her senior. Their relationship had started quietly, after they met at a mutual friend’s party in 1950. At the time, Audrey was fresh from the Broadway success of Gigi, and was just beginning to make her mark in Hollywood.

James Hanson, who would later become Lord Hanson, was a well-established figure in business circles, known for his immense wealth and business acumen. The son of a Huddersfield businessman, Hanson had inherited his father’s company and expanded it through savvy leveraged buyouts. By the time of his death in 2004, his personal wealth was estimated to be between $100-$200 million, and his companies were valued at billions.

The announcement of their engagement on December 4, 1951, was a surprise to the public, as the couple had kept their romance relatively private. Plans were set for a wedding in early 1952, and Audrey even had her wedding dress fitted. Hanson was reportedly a supportive partner during Audrey’s rise to fame, accompanying her during her Broadway performances.

The Break-Up: Timing and Ambition

However, as Hepburn’s career began to take off in the early 1950s, the demands of her burgeoning success took a toll on her relationship with Hanson. The most notable turning point came in 1953 when Audrey starred in Roman Holiday, the film that would eventually win her an Academy Award. Filming in Europe took up much of her time, and the couple’s competing schedules left them increasingly distant. Despite the mounting distance, they continued to discuss their wedding plans in private, but it became clear that the timing of their respective lives was no longer aligned.

In December of 1952, the couple announced that their engagement had been called off. The reason cited was a growing emotional distance due to their hectic careers. “The engagement between Mr. James Hanson and Miss Audrey Hepburn has been broken,” read the public statement. Audrey’s personal statement further clarified her feelings: “When I get married, I want to be really married.” This sentiment reflected her desire for a partnership that was deeply rooted in personal connection, rather than simply a union shaped by external pressures and obligations.

Moving On: New Relationships and Marriages

Following the break-up, Audrey’s romantic life continued to unfold in a very public manner. Just two years later, in 1954, Audrey married actor Mel Ferrer. The couple had one child together, a son named Sean, but their marriage ended in 1968 after 14 years. In 1969, Audrey married psychiatrist Andrea Dotti, with whom she had another son, Luca. Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce in 1982.

In the years leading up to her death, Audrey was in a relationship with Dutch actor Robert Wolders, a companion who provided her with much-needed stability and companionship during her later years.

James Hanson, for his part, continued his romantic pursuits. After Audrey, he dated notable actresses Jean Simmons and Joan Collins before marrying Geraldine Kaelin in 1959. He became a stepfather to her daughter and they had two sons together.

Legacy of a Relationship That Could Have Been

Audrey Hepburn’s decision to call off her engagement to James Hanson is a poignant reminder of the complexities of love, ambition, and timing. Despite their mutual respect and affection, the gap created by their contrasting career trajectories was too wide to bridge. Audrey’s statement, “When I get married, I want to be really married,” speaks to a desire for a deep, personal connection that could not be overshadowed by the demands of fame or fortune.

Hepburn’s later relationships, as well as her decision to focus on her family and humanitarian work, reflect the lessons she learned from her early heartbreak. While her public life was filled with glamorous love stories, her private life was far more nuanced—shaped by personal growth, resilience, and the search for authenticity in love.

Her split from James Hanson, though a painful moment in her life, ultimately led Audrey to a path where she could define love on her own terms, without the pressure of societal expectations or the distractions of celebrity. It remains a defining moment in a life full of transformative love stories, both on and off the screen.