Audrey Hepburn's son speaks out after Ivanka Trump's tribute to his mom at inauguration sparks backlash
WASHINGTON, DC: Ivanka Trump’s tribute to Audrey Hepburn at the Liberty Ball during Donald Trump’s inauguration has sparked public debate.
Wearing a recreation of a Hubert de Givenchy gown designed for Hepburn in the 1954 classic 'Sabrina', the First Daughter appeared alongside her husband Jared Kushner for a dance at the Washington, DC, event.
Ivanka Trump's tribute to Audrey Hepburn
Ivanka's strapless black-and-white gown, adorned with floral motifs and paired with black gloves and a diamond floral necklace, was a reimagining of Hepburn’s iconic look from the film.
While Hepburn styled the original gown with minimal jewelry and long white satin gloves, Ivanka’s modern take drew both admiration and criticism.
A White House statement described the homage as deeply personal, noting that Audrey Hepburn had “long been a personal inspiration” to Ivanka.
Sean Ferrer opens up on family ties and Audrey Hepburn’s enduring grace
Sean Hepburn Ferrer, Audrey Hepburn’s eldest son, weighed in on the tribute in an exclusive interview with Daily Mail.
He expressed understanding of Ivanka’s choice, citing the historical connections between the Hepburn and Trump families.
“It is no wonder that growing up in a family which knew our mother as a household name, she chose to draw inspiration from her to seek the ultimate elegance and class reference,” Ferrer said.
He referenced Ivanka’s stepsister Tiffany’s first birthday celebration titled 'Breakfast with Tiffany' as a nod to Hepburn’s iconic 1961 film.
Additionally, he highlighted Donald Trump’s connections to the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund through Ivanka’s stepmother Marla Maples who once served on the fund’s advisory board.
Ferrer also noted that his mother’s elegance and legacy continues to inspire people across generations.
“Over the past 71 years, her legacy has grown to become transgenerational and transnational,” he said, attributing her appeal to “inner beauty and spirit” that remains a timeless reference point for celebrities and public figures.
Audrey Hepburn’s values and modern political controversies
Sean Ferrer’s comments also highlighted a contrast between his mother’s values and the politics of the Trump administration.
Audrey Hepburn, a lifelong humanitarian and UNICEF ambassador, dedicated her life to advocating for disenfranchised children worldwide, regardless of political or ideological environments.
Ferrer suggested that his mother’s outlook would align more closely with progressive causes.
He referenced Bishop Marianne Budde, an Episcopal leader who spoke out against Donald Trump’s immigration policies, which she claimed left children and transgender individuals “fearing for their lives.”
During Trump’s inaugural events, Budde urged the president to have “mercy upon the people in our country that are scared now.”
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde: "The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors...may I ask you to have mercy Mr. President on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away." pic.twitter.com/iXaHJrPsof
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 21, 2025
“Her elegance and spirit were not just aesthetic but deeply tied to her sense of justice and compassion,” Ferrer said.
He implied that Hepburn’s advocacy work might have stood in opposition to some policies of the Trump administration.
Audrey Hepburn, who died in 1993 from abdominal cancer, remains an enduring global icon.
She had two sons, Sean with her first husband Mel Ferrer, and Luca Dotti with her second husband Andrea Dotti.
Sean Ferrer criticized for his thoughts on Ivanka Trump's tribute to his mother
After Sean Ferrer broke his silence about Ivanka Trump's tribute to his mother Audrey Hepburn and the ideology of the late actress likened to Bishop Budde, netizens criticized Ferrer's response.
One user wrote, "He has no real way of knowing that. She was a gracious and giving person. That doesn't make her like the bishop, not by any stretch." Another commented, "Ivanka wore a dress she appreciated from a movie. That’s all. It was beautiful and Audrey Hepburn was beautiful in it as well. Why does their have to be a discussion? Sabrina is one of my favorite movies, too."
"Good grief...she wore a gown that was a beautiful reminder of his mother. Can he just accept it for what it was without bringing Ms. Hepburn's views into it? She can't speak for herself. Be honored and leave politics out of it," a netizen opined.
"Dear Sean Hepburn-Ferrer: Sometimes, it is best to say nothing. Now you have embroiled poor Ivanka Trump into an awkward position. She loves fashion and was merely paying tribute to your late mom and icon in a stylish manner. No need to drag politics into it," an individual penned.
"He could have just thanked her for her salute to his mother without injecting politics into it," a user wrote.
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