Here's What Audrey Hepburn Actually Ate In A Day

An icon of elegance, Audrey Hepburn has long been admired by fans worldwide. While her films still permit a peek into her legendary acting career, the many biographies and memoirs give more insight into her life. Her sons Sean Hepburn Ferrer and Luca Dotti each wrote about her in a biography Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit, and a memoir entitled Audrey at Home, respectively. For those curious about Hepburn's simple daily habits, Luca describes Audrey at Home as a kitchen biography where he shares many of her recipes and routines around food.

Luca fondly remembers his mother's deep love for pasta, and how she could practically eat it every day (via People). Whether it was Spaghetti al Pomodoro (find her recipe at Town & Country) or pasta served with fresh garden vegetables, Audrey focused on quality and flavor. 

In the book, Luca recounts how his mother was ahead of her time, shopping at local markets, eating from her own garden, and preferring seasonal flavors. In an interview with Bon Appétit, he also remembers his mother highlighting food presentation, always including colorful vegetables to make dishes pop. Her manner of cooking and shopping is similar to current wisdom which recommends eating from the rainbow and prioritizing local products (via Harvard Health Publishing). In an interview with Yahoo!Life, Luca also mentions his mother's habit of drinking lots of water and setting aside one day each month for a light detox.

Daily breakfast was important to Audrey Hepburn and generally consisted of bread and jam, with the occasional madeleine, according to Bon Appétit. Fans of Breakfast at Tiffany's will remember how gracefully she ate her morning croissant and coffee! Her partner Robert Wolders told People that her diet was all about simple wholesome food, especially fruits, vegetables, and grains. She also knew how to enjoy herself and she was happy to have a piece of chocolate and Scotch as a nightcap. In his book, her son Luca explains that chocolate held a special place in his mother's heart because nearing the end of World War II, a Dutch soldier gifted her with several pieces (via People).

Unlike so many modern diets that outline complicated strategies, Audrey Hepburn kept food straightforward. Robert Wolders recalls that Audrey was active and they often went for long walks. Moderation and an affinity for quality and freshness seem to be at the center of Audrey's lifestyle. Not only was the content of the plate important at mealtimes, but Audrey Hepburn also encouraged everyone to sit together to savor the food and share their reflections. Taking the time to taste and appreciate food was all part of Audrey Hepburn's daily dining experience. Beyond the many ways she has inspired the public, her philosophy of holistic wellness should serve as a guide.