AUDREY HEPBURN DIES

International film star and Academy Award winner Audrey Hepburn died peacefully at her home in Switzerland today surrounded by her loved ones, said a UNICEF spokesperson in Geneva. A Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF, Ms. Hepburn was 63. Funeral services was held at the Village Church of Tolochenaz, Vaud on Sunday, 24 January 1993, at 1:00 PM.

Ms. Hepburn underwent surgery for colon cancer in California last November 1992.

In New York, UNICEF Executive Director James P. Grant said, "Audrey Hepburn's passing is a painful and irreplaceable loss for her family and friends, for children everywhere and for UNICEF, the organisation to which she devoted so much time in the last four years of her life. "Audrey was unique: as a movie star and as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Moved by a profound love of children, she set repeatedly aside the comforts of home to visit some of the most deprived and often forgotten people of this planet, for whom she became an effective voice. Her eloquent and deeply moving appeals on their behalf helped raise not only funds but the conscience of the world community. "She truly became our 'fair lady.' The children of the world have lost a true friend, and an important and eloquent advocate," Mr. Grant said.

Ms. Hepburn became an official UNICEF spokesperson in 1988. The following year, she was named Goodwill Ambassador and immediately set off to visit drought-stricken Ethiopia.

At the press conference announcing her appointment, Ms. Hepburn stated, "I can testify to what UNICEF means to children because I was among the recipients of food and medical relief right after World War II. I have a long-lasting gratitude and trust for what UNICEF does."

Even before her appointment as UNICEF Ambassador, Audrey Hepburn participated in fund-raising and advocacy activities, supporting UNICEF greeting card sales and appearing at benefit events in Tokyo and Macao. On the mission to Ethiopia in 1988, senior UNICEF officials accompanied her into Eritrea and Tigray, the provinces worst affected by the drought.

At a London press conference immediately after leaving Ethiopia, Ms. Hepburn spoke with great feeling about the problems and the particular needs of women and children which she had witnessed first-hand. It was the first of many interviews and meetings with the press which took place during the next four years.

Audrey Hepburn was of tremendous assistance to fund-raising and advocacy efforts of a great many UNICEF National Committees, including Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. In addition, in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991, she served as host for the "Danny Kaye International Children's Awards" show taped in the Netherlands and seen throughout the world.

In September of 1992, Ms. Hepburn visited first war-ravaged and drought- stricken Somalia and then refugee camps in northern Kenya. This mission was followed by extensive media activities in Nairobi, London, Geneva, Paris and the United States.

Ms. Hepburn was born in Belgium, the daughter of a British father and Dutch mother. After brief training in ballet in Amsterdam and London, she won an audition to the American musical "High Button Shoes," then playing in England. Soon after, a small part in a French film led to an invitation from Colette to play the title role in her new play "Gigi," about to be produced on Broadway.

That same summer Ms. Hepburn won a major role starring with Gregory Peck in the film "Roman Holiday," for which she won an Academy Award. She received Best Actress nominations also for "Sabrina," "The Nun's Story," "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Wait Until Dark." Her other successful films include "Funny Face," "My Fair Lady," "Charade," "Two for the Road" and "Robin and Marian." She retired from her active film career in 1965 when her eldest son started school and could no longer travel with her. Director Steven Spielberg lured her back for a role in "Always" in 1989. She received yet another honour for her professional achievements in 1991 when she was honoured at Lincoln Center by the New York Film Society.

Audrey Hepburn made her home in Switzerland. She was the mother of two sons, Sean Hepburn Ferrer from her marraige to movie screen actor and producer Mel Ferrer; and Luca Dotti from her second marriage to Dr. Andrea Dotti. For the remainder of her life, her male companion was actor Robert Wolders.

Truman Capote wanted Marilyn Monroe for the role of Holly Golightly in "Breakfast At Tiffany's.

But after filming the movie, Capote agreed that Audrey Hepburn (here with her husband MEL FERRER on her right and Capote on her left) was right for the role of Holly Golightly.