British actress Audrey Hepburn is often called the Queen of Polyglotism. She was fluent in many languages besides English viz. French,Dutch, Italian, Spanish, and German.
The linguistic vividity she earned can be attributed to vast number of places she travelled as a Child. Born in Belgium, she travelled to England, Netherlands, Arnhem (Germany) in her childhood. It could also be attributed to her parents.Her mother was a Dutch baroness named Ella van Heemstra, and her father was a wealthy British banker Joseph Hepburn-Ruston. She spoke English fluently but many claim that her English didn’t sound native-like.
These traits helped her immensely in serving as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Very few know that she was working with UNICEF since 1954.
In one interview she said, “I can testify to what UNICEF means to children, because I was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II,” said actress Audrey Hepburn on her appointment as a Goodwill Ambassador in 1989. “I have a long-lasting gratitude and trust for what UNICEF does.”
In 1992, she was awarded United States’ highest civilian award, Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of her work with UNICEF, by then US President George H. W. Bush.
Below are the samples of her speaking several languages she knew.