In the waning months of her life, Audrey Hepburn found solace in dreaming of brighter days with her sons. "Even as she lay sick in bed, she would talk about taking all of us to Australia because she had heard it was incredibly beautiful," recalls her youngest son, Luca Dotti, in an exclusive interview with Closer. "That dream was what kept us all going." Audrey retreated to her beloved rural farmhouse, La Paisible, in Switzerland during the winter of 1992 after being diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer. "I vividly remember the important lessons she left us with," her elder son, Sean Ferrer, tells Closer. "And the heartfelt conversations we had in those final weeks."
A Life Dedicated to Helping Others
Just a few months before her health began to decline, Audrey, alongside her beloved partner Robert Wolders, known affectionately as Robbie, embarked on a challenging mission to war-torn Somalia on behalf of UNICEF. The suffering they witnessed weighed heavily on Audrey's heart, but she felt an immense responsibility to use her platform to bring aid to children in desperate need. "I want people to understand that a vast portion of humanity is enduring immense suffering," Audrey once said, her voice filled with compassion.
Accepting the Inevitable with Grace
When Audrey started experiencing stomach pains during her trip, she had a gut feeling that something serious was wrong. "She always knew her body inside out," explains Luca. Further examination revealed an aggressive and incurable cancer that had spread from her appendix to other vital organs. When her son Sean delivered the devastating news, Audrey accepted it with remarkable grace. "How disappointing," she murmured softly, her strength and composure shining through even in the face of adversity.
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A Return to Her Beloved Home
Her close friend, the renowned designer Hubert de Givenchy, made arrangements for a private plane to fly Audrey and Robbie back to La Paisible. "She always felt most at peace in that place, surrounded by its lush garden and fruit trees," shares Robert Matzen, author of Warrior: Audrey Hepburn. "She was never truly content if she was away from there for too long."
Planning for the Holidays
With every ounce of strength she had left, Audrey poured her energy into preparing for Christmas, her favorite holiday. During lunch, she gifted everyone something special to remember her by—mostly practical items like coats and scarves. "There was no trace of bitterness or resentment," Robbie recalled. "She even said it might have been the best time of her life because she felt closer than ever to her boys and me."
Her lifelong friend, Doris Kleiner, the former wife of actor Yul Brynner, came to stay. Luca wanted to remain by her side, but Audrey insisted that her son, who had just started his first job in Milan, continue living his life and visit only on weekends.
Final Days Filled with Grace
On days when her energy allowed, Audrey would stroll through the orchards with her trusted groundskeeper, Giovanni Orunesu, discussing plans for the upcoming spring. "Don't worry, Giovanni," she reassured him, as documented in Matzen's book. "I will help you, but not in the same way as before."
Audrey "remained steadfast and courageous until her final breath," says Matzen. She expressed gratitude for her sons, her cherished friends, and Robbie, but lamented that she wouldn't be able to continue her invaluable work with UNICEF. "She passed away at 63, which is tragically young," admits Sean. "But she had lived a remarkably full life. I believe 63 years as Audrey Hepburn would equate to 120 years of experience for someone else."
—Reporting by Katie Bruno
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For more on this touching story, pick up the latest issue of Closer magazine, available now at newsstands.
