Audrey Hepburn’s marriages were nothing to write home about, despite the fact that the actress had a fantastic career. Her first husband, who apparently felt intimidated by her celebrity, was reportedly despised by her mother.

As a result of her success in both the film industry and the fashion industry, as well as her subsequent contributions to humanitarian causes, Audrey Hepburn was regarded as the third-greatest female cinematic legend.

In spite of the fact that she was devoted to acting, she put her acting career on hiatus when she was married to Mel Ferrer for the first time. Ferrer was born to a Cuban physician and an aristocrat from Manhattan, and he spent his childhood working in the film business, appearing in movies such as “Lili,” “Scaramouche,” and “The Brave Bulls.”

The year was 1953, and the event was a film party held in London. Gregory Peck was the one who brought the two together. Hepburn recalls that their first encounter was conducted in a very serious manner.

They were familiar with one other’s bodies of work, and Hepburn expressed curiosity in getting to know him. According to sources in Express, she would tell the following about the first time they got to know one other:

“When we initially met, the thing that stood out to me most about him was how serious he seemed to be about everything. He didn’t grin. I liked him… But that was the end of it.”

After getting to know one another, the two decided to do what most actors and actresses do, which is to make plans to work on a movie together. They made a pact to communicate with one another anytime one of them came across a movie that they felt might appeal to the other.

Ferrer did not waste any time and promptly sent her a copy of the French drama “Ondine” shortly after. Following the actor from “My Fair Lady” expressing her approval of the play, rehearsals for it began in January of 1954.

During this time, the two of them began to become aware of the desire that existed between them. Hepburn indicated her approval of Ferrer’s proposal by sending him a platinum watch inscribed with the phrase “Mad About the Boy” from Noel Coward’s song of the same name. Ferrer was overjoyed to receive the watch.

In September of that year, they celebrated their wedding in Switzerland, and they spent their honeymoon in a farmhouse about a hundred kilometers outside of Rome. In later years, it became common knowledge that Hepburn had gone to considerable measures to conceal the fact that she was married to Ferrer in order to prevent members of the media from attending their wedding.

Soon after that, Hepburn came to the conclusion that she would place a higher priority on her marriage than on her work. However, her commitments to her home and family had already taken priority far before the couple even sealed the wedding.

When cameramen started asking questions of the actress in March 1954 at an Oscar ceremony, her future husband was the one to reply on her behalf whenever they did so. The actress had received the award for Best Actress for “Roman Holiday.”

Following the couple’s marriage, she decreased the number of films she produced year from at least two to only one. Her main priority was to get married and have children. That was not to be, however, as she ended up having two miscarriages throughout her pregnancy.

The bright spot in her life occurred in January 1960 when she gave birth to her first child, Sean. But her new responsibilities did not prevent her from winning other jobs, and shortly after, her husband started to feel that her stardom overshadowed him and became overprotective of her.

By that time, it was well knowledge that Ferrer saw Hepburn’s popularity as a potential danger to her own. It was also well known that he concealed her telephone number from backstage management and the press agent for her.

Ferrer refuted the charges, stating that he was not attempting to compete with her, and Hepburn supported Ferrer’s stance by stating that he did not exert an excessive amount of authority over her and was instead her protector. Alfred Lunt, the film’s director, made the observation that

Ferrer ruled Audrey with an iron grip by taking advantage of Audrey’s infatuation with him.

Some people, such as King Vidor, supported Ferrer by stating that they believed Hepburn need someone to make her judgments since she did not understand the industry to the same extent as Ferrer did. According to reports, Ferrer engaged in the questionable behavior because, in his capacity as a director, he was aware of the appropriate level of compensation for Hepburn.

Others, however, were not as kind in their thoughts on Ferrer, and one film director, Michael Powell, was quoted as saying:

“He does not exude any warmth and has nothing to offer. However, nice is not one of your virtues.”

Ferrer and Hepburn were married for 14 years, yet during their whole marriage, Hepburn’s mother never developed a like to him. Despite this, Ferrer and Hepburn had a successful marriage. The actress from “Breakfast at Tifanny’s” sent a letter to her acting instructor and longtime friend Aylmer in which she revealed that her mother had referred to Ferrer as a “frog-faced criminal with the spindly legs.” Aylmer was the recipient of the letter.

Ella van Heemstra, Hepburn’s mother, was of the opinion that the marriage had a negative impact on her daughter and that Hepburn had been exhausted by the director. According to accounts from People, she would say:

“I think that Audrey is starting to tire of his neurotic side!”

Hepburn and Ferrer’s marriage did not last, despite the fact that they had been together for 14 years. Their marriage started having problems in 1966, not long after Hepburn’s highly publicized affair with Albert Finney, who was co-starring with her in the film “Two For the Road.”

After being together for a year, the couple decided to part ways, and the actress later said that she had been left feeling disappointed. “It was a horrible experience when my marriage ended,” she said, and she continued:

“It was more than that; it was a severe letdown. My preconceived notion was that a marriage between two decent and loving individuals had to survive until at least one of them passed away.”

“I was aware of how difficult it must have been for Mel to be married to a global superstar, to be recognized everywhere, to be given second billing in both the movies and in real life, and I felt bad for her. But you may trust me when I say that my career comes second.” Hepburn admitted her guilt.

Others, however, were not as kind in their thoughts on Ferrer, and one film director, Michael Powell, was quoted as saying:

“He does not exude any warmth and has nothing to offer. However, nice is not one of your virtues.”

Ferrer and Hepburn were married for 14 years, yet during their whole marriage, Hepburn’s mother never developed a liking for him. Despite this, Ferrer and Hepburn had a successful marriage. The actress from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” sent a letter to her acting instructor and longtime friend Aylmer in which she revealed that her mother had referred to Ferrer as a “frog-faced criminal with the spindly legs.” Aylmer was the recipient of the letter.

Ella van Heemstra, Hepburn’s mother, was of the opinion that the marriage had a negative impact on her daughter and that Hepburn had been exhausted by the director. According to accounts from People, she would say:

“I think that Audrey is starting to tire of his neurotic side!”

Hepburn and Ferrer’s marriage did not last, despite the fact that they had been together for 14 years. Their marriage started having problems in 1966, not long after Hepburn’s highly publicized affair with Albert Finney, who was co-starring with her in the film “Two For the Road.”

After being together for a year, the couple decided to part ways, and the actress later said that she had been left feeling disappointed. “It was a horrible experience when my marriage ended,” she said, and she continued:

“It was more than that; it was a severe letdown. My preconceived notion was that a marriage between two decent and loving individuals had to survive until at least one of them passed away.”

“I was aware of how difficult it must have been for Mel to be married to a global superstar, to be recognized everywhere, to be given second billing in both the movies and in real life, and I felt bad for her. But you may trust me when I say that my career comes second.” Hepburn admitted her guilt.