Audrey Hepburn was a trained ballerina that was too tall to dance professionally. She only turned to acting to "pay the bills". This turned into career where she received 5 Oscar nominations and an Oscar for Roman Holiday. Later on in her career, Audrey was a muse for the designer, Givenchy. 
Hepburn films at the eponymous jewelry store in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in 1961, wearing her iconic Holly Golightly ensemble. "My look is attainable," she once said. "Women can look like Audrey Hepburn by flipping out their hair, buying the large sunglasses, and the little sleeveless dresses."
Photo: Paramount Pictures/Getty Images
Jan 01, 1961
Audrey Hepburn graces the cover of LIFE on Dec. 7, 1953. "In Hollywood's inner circles she has caused more talk than any recent actress, including Marilyn Monroe," LIFE wrote of the actress, then 24.
In this photo: Audrey Hepburn
Photo: Mark Shaw/Time & Life Pictures
Actress Audrey Hepburn is backlit by pattern of klieg lights in 1956. "I'm not beautiful. My mother once called me an ugly duckling. But, listed separately, I have a few good features," she said.
In this photo: Audrey Hepburn
Photo: Allan Grant./Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Actress Audrey Hepburn poses in 1952. "I was born with something that appealed to an audience at that particular time," she said. "I acted instinctively. I've had one of the greatest schools of all -- a whole row of great, great directors."
In this photo: Audrey Hepburn
Photo: George Karger./Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
lec Guinness and Audrey Hepburn perform a scene in "The Lavender Hill Mob" in 1951.
In this photo: Alec Guinness, Audrey Hepburn
Photo: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
Audrey Hepburn wears a sundress and holds a colorful umbrella in 1955. "People associate me with a time when movies were pleasant, when women wore pretty dresses in films, and you heard beautiful music," she once said.
In this photo: Audrey Hepburn
Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Audrey Hepburn sketches on the set of "War and Peace" in 1956. She received $350,000 for her role -- the highest ever for an actress at the time. When she found out, she told her agent, "I'm not worth it. It's impossible. Please don't tell anyone."
In this photo: Audrey Hepburn
Photo: Phil Burchman/Getty Images
Hepburn adjusts her makeup on the set of "Sabrina," 1954.
In this photo: Audrey Hepburn
Photo: John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images
Audrey Hepburn composes a letter in a palm grove, circa 1955. Hepburn loved nature, and preferred gardening and the quiet life to the glamourous parties of Hollywood.
In this photo: Audrey Hepburn
Photo: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
Hepburn relaxes in a London park in 1950."She had everything I was looking for: charm, innocence and talent. She also was very funny. She was absolutely enchanting, and we said, 'That's the girl!'" director William Wyler said of casting her for "Roman Holiday." (See more stunning photos like this one in LIFE Books' "Remembering Audrey.")
In this photo: Audrey Hepburn
Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Hepburn looks over Paris while filming "Funny Face" in 1956.
