Audrey Hepburn, born on May 4, 1929, in Brussels, Belgium, started her career not as an actress but as a ballet dancer. She trained seriously throughout her childhood, even studying ballet during World War II in the Netherlands. But the war years left her malnourished, and her doctors eventually told her she would never be strong enough for professional ballet. Hepburn turned to acting instead. In 1953, she starred in the film Roman Holiday and won an Academy Award. She was only twenty-four years old. Audiences loved her elegance, her natural charm, and her unique look. She looked very different from the typical Hollywood star. Her most famous role came in Breakfast at Tiffany's, where she played Holly Golightly, a character who became a fashion icon. The little black dress she wore in the film's opening scene is one of the most recognized outfits in movie history. In her later years, Hepburn devoted herself to helping children through UNICEF. She traveled to countries facing famine and war, using her fame to draw attention to children's suffering. She once said that her greatest role was not in any film but in her humanitarian work.