Rare Photos Of Audrey Hepburn With Her Mom

Audrey Hepburn's life as a muse, actor, and philanthropist inspired so many. For example, these Audrey Hepburn outfits still feel so timeless. Now, while we could gush endlessly over photos of her outfits, we should instead focus on how many other adorable shots there are out there of the late actor with her mother, Ella van Heemstra. Hepburn's relationship with her mother was complicated. However, it was filled with love. Heemstra, a Dutch aristocrat, was harsh toward Hepburn earlier on in her life, but she still scrubbed floors for a time to put Hepburn through ballet school. There aren't many photos of the two floating around out there, but we've found a rare few.

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The above rare photo of the two was taken during Hepburn's younger years in 1946. Hepburn once described their relationship in a 1989 interview with Barbara Walters. "My mother was quite severe [...] And that also perhaps is what made me what I am, but what you see has a lot to do with what she [...] wanted me to be," she shared. "I've read that I'm considered sometimes a perfectionist, which I'm not. But I think it has something to do with that attitude, which I was brought up with. Of that, you know, not to fiddle or fuss about yourself; think about others first."

Another rare photo of Audrey Hepburn and Ella van Heemstra was taken in 1965 as Hepburn arrived to present the "Best Actor" award at that year's Oscars. Despite Hepburn's harsher upbringing, the two seem close in this photo. They also have a few things in common style-wise. Audrey Hepburn was known for being practical about fashion, and it made her style timeless. It seems she may have picked up some of her style philosophy from her mother in this department. Both often wore simple peacoats and long gloves — classic style choices that are chic and elegant.

Hepburn was also often spotted wearing many types of sunglasses, sometimes pairs similar to the ones her mother wore in this photo. Even later in life, Audrey Hepburn was still a total beauty queen in her 60s, and she still wore simple, timeless pieces.It's possible her style was influenced early on by her aristocratic mother in some ways, since the two shared a love for timeless elegance (and accessories!).