Early Life and Background
Born in Úžice, Bohemia, on November 21, 1889, Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston followed European aristocratic roots. His mother was Austrian nobility and his father British and Austrian.
Birth Date | Birthplace | Parents | Ancestry |
---|---|---|---|
November 21, 1889 | Úžice, Bohemia | Victor John George Ruston and Anna Juliana Franziska Karolina Wels | British and Austrian |
Career and Political Involvement
Ruston became Honorary British Consul in Semarang, Dutch East Indies, after a diplomatic career. His British Union of Fascist membership led to his wartime incarceration and dubious career.
Initial Career | Consul Role | Company | Political Affiliation |
---|---|---|---|
British diplomatic service | Semarang, Dutch East Indies | Maclaine, Watson & Co. | British Union of Fascists |
Family Life and Relationships
Joseph Ruston married three times, including Audrey Hepburn’s mother Ella van Heemstra and Cornelia Bisschop. His relationship with Audrey was rocky at first but restored subsequently.
First Wife | Second Wife | Third Wife | Child |
---|---|---|---|
Cornelia Bisschop | Ella van Heemstra | Fidelma Walshe | Audrey Hepburn |
Death and Legacy
Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston died in Dublin on October 16, 1980, and was buried at Mount Jerome Cemetery. His daughter Audrey Hepburn’s global significance overshadows his contentious past.
Death Date | Death Place | Burial Site | Legacy |
---|---|---|---|
October 16, 1980 | Dublin, Ireland | Mount Jerome Cemetery | Audrey Hepburn’s father |
Notable Family Members
His ties to Audrey Hepburn and her descendants define Joseph’s legacy. Estrangement and reconciliation in European history are highlighted by these relationships.
Notable Descendant | Relation | Remark |
---|---|---|
Audrey Hepburn | Daughter | Renowned actress and humanitarian |
Luca Dotti | Grandson | Son from Audrey’s second marriage |
Sean Hepburn Ferrer | Grandson | Son from Audrey’s first marriage |
Emma Kathleen Ferrer | Great-granddaughter | Model and actress |
FAQ
What was Joseph Ruston’s early career?
Joseph began his diplomatic career as Honorary British Consul in Semarang, Dutch East Indies.
How did Joseph’s politics influence him?
His British Union of Fascist membership got him arrested and interned during WWII.
Who were Joseph Ruston’s spouses?
Over his lifespan, Joseph married Cornelia Bisschop, Ella van Heemstra, and Fidelma Walshe.
Joseph and Audrey Hepburn’s relationship: how did it change?
Joseph and Audrey reconnected in the 1960s and she financially supported him afterward.
Where is Joseph Ruston buried?
His grave is at Mount Jerome Cemetery in Harold’s Cross, Dublin.