
Audrey’s mother, Baroness Ella Van Heemstra, was Dutch
royalty. Her father, Joseph Ruston, was a British subject born in Bohemia. Her
parents met and married in the Dutch East Indies country of Batavia (now
Jarkarta). They moved numerous times to various countries, and as a result
Audrey learned to speak five language. In the mid-1930s her parents joined the
British Union of Fascists, and her father became a true Nazi sympathizer.
Because of his infidelities, the Baroness divorced him in 1936.

She was a child during the war-aged 9 to 16, and despite her
deprivation, Audrey became part of the Dutch resistance. She held silent ballet
recitals (there was no music or applause to keep from being found out by the
Nazis) and donated her earnings to the Resistance. She also acted as a courier,
delivering parcels and messages.
When she was liberated at the end of the war, a Dutch
soldier gave her a handful of chocolate bars. Audrey wolfed them down along
with the condensed milk she received from the UN, but her malnourished body
couldn’t take the rich food. She became violently ill.
According to her son, throughout her life “the taste of
chocolate, was the taste of freedom.”
What special memories does chocolate hold for you?
A freelance writer for over ten years, Linda Shenton
Matchett writes historical fiction. Her novella Love’s Harvest is available on Amazon. She is currently seeking a
publisher for her series about WWII war correspondent Ruth Brown. Visit her at www.LindaShentonMatchett.com
Oh wow! I so did not know any of this. Thanks for the special post, Linda!
ReplyDeleteI have always admired Audrey Hepburn's talent but now I admire her life. Chocolate reminds me if my Daddy. We both loved chocolate and he also was well-known in our county for the half pints of chocolate milk that he gave the children on his milk route. My Daddy was a milkman during the time that milk was delivered to your home.
ReplyDeleteThis is some new information about Audrey Hepburn. Her talent was amazing. Chocolate was a special treat growing up. I remember our Dad purchasing 3 Musketeer candy bars for our Christmas stockings.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed this. I had no idea she was in the Dutch Resistance! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome! I never knew this about her. I always knew she was special, but not to this degree. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteChocolate? A great stress reducer for me.
Had never heard this before. Thanks for sharing! She was a great actress.
ReplyDelete