What disease did Hepburn have? Untangling the Illnesses of Audrey and Katharine Hepburn

September 30, 2025 •

3 min read

The name "Hepburn" is famously associated with two legendary actresses, Audrey and Katharine, who battled very different and significant health challenges. While one was diagnosed with a rare cancer, the other lived with a progressive neurological disorder, providing a surprising answer to the question, 'What disease did Hepburn have?'.

Quick Summary

Audrey Hepburn succumbed to a rare appendiceal cancer called pseudomyxoma peritonei, while Katharine Hepburn had essential tremor, a neurological disorder, which was often mistaken for Parkinson's disease. Their respective diagnoses highlight distinct medical conditions and the diagnostic challenges of their time.

Key Points

Audrey Hepburn's cancer: Audrey Hepburn was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), a rare cancer that originated in her appendix and proved fatal in 1993.
Katharine Hepburn's essential tremor: Katharine Hepburn, often confused with Audrey, had essential tremor, a neurological disorder that caused her involuntary head and hand tremors.
Common misdiagnosis: For many years, Katharine Hepburn’s condition was mistakenly believed to be Parkinson’s disease.
Modern treatments for PMP: While Audrey's cancer was untreatable at the time of her diagnosis, modern procedures like HIPEC offer significantly better outcomes for PMP patients today.
Distinct health journeys: The two actresses named Hepburn experienced entirely different health challenges, emphasizing the need for clarity when discussing their specific medical histories.

Audrey Hepburn's Battle with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP)

Iconic actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer in 1992. The cancer, known as pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), had originated in her appendix and spread to other areas of her abdomen. She passed away just a few months later, in January 1993, at the age of 63.

The Nature of PMP

PMP is a slow-growing cancer that begins as a small polyp in the appendix. Cancerous cells then produce a large amount of a jelly-like fluid called mucin, which can fill the abdominal cavity. This can cause the appendix to burst, further spreading the cells and mucin.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Audrey Hepburn began experiencing debilitating abdominal pain after returning from a UNICEF mission in Somalia in September 1992. PMP is particularly difficult to diagnose early because its symptoms are often vague and can mimic other common conditions.

Common symptoms of PMP include:

Abdominal pain or discomfort
Bloating or increased abdominal girth
Changes in bowel habits
Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting

Hepburn underwent exploratory surgery in November 1992, which led to her diagnosis. By that time, the cancer had spread extensively, and options for treatment were limited compared to today's medical advancements.

Modern Treatment for PMP

Today, treatments such as Cytoreductive Surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) offer a much better prognosis for PMP patients. This advanced procedure involves removing all visible tumors from the abdomen, followed by a heated chemotherapy bath inside the abdominal cavity to kill remaining cancer cells. Tragically for Hepburn, this highly effective treatment was not available during her time.

Katharine Hepburn's Life with Essential Tremor

For years, many speculated that the legendary Katharine Hepburn had Parkinson's disease due to a visible tremor in her head and hands and a warble in her voice. However, it was later revealed that she had essential tremor, a different and much more common neurological disorder.

Essential Tremor vs. Parkinson's

Essential tremor (ET) is a progressive neurological disorder that causes involuntary, rhythmic shaking. It is often genetic and can be hereditary, and while it is not life-threatening, it can worsen with age and interfere with daily activities. Unlike the resting tremor associated with Parkinson's disease, the shaking from essential tremor typically worsens during movement, such as when writing or holding a cup.

Understanding the Symptoms

Key characteristics of essential tremor include:

Tremors that occur during action and movement
Shaking that can affect the hands, head, and voice
Alcohol can temporarily ease symptoms for some individuals
The condition is far more common than Parkinson's disease

Because so little was known about essential tremor during much of her career, Katharine Hepburn was subject to public speculation and incorrect diagnoses. Her eventual diagnosis helped raise awareness of the disorder, differentiating it from Parkinson's and highlighting the importance of accurate medical assessment.

Comparing the Hepburns' Health Conditions

While both actresses bore the surname Hepburn and faced significant health issues, their conditions were fundamentally different. Below is a comparison of Audrey's pseudomyxoma peritonei and Katharine's essential tremor.


Feature	Audrey Hepburn's Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP)	Katharine Hepburn's Essential Tremor (ET)
Type of Condition	A rare, slow-growing cancer.	A progressive neurological disorder.
Primary Symptoms	Abdominal pain, bloating, bowel changes due to fluid buildup.	Involuntary, rhythmic shaking of the hands, head, or voice during movement.
Underlying Cause	Begins as a polyp in the appendix.	Disruption in motor pathways, likely originating in the cerebellum.
Survival Rate	Fatal in Hepburn's time; today, modern treatments offer potential for high cure rates.	Not life-threatening, but symptoms can worsen over time.
Diagnosis	Often diagnosed late due to vague symptoms and rarity.	Can be misdiagnosed as Parkinson's; diagnosed through clinical observation.
Prognosis	Depends heavily on the stage at diagnosis and treatment availability.	Managed with medication and lifestyle adjustments; symptoms progress with age.

Conclusion

Understanding what disease did Hepburn have requires clarifying which iconic actress is being referenced. Audrey Hepburn faced a rare, aggressive cancer that started in her appendix, while Katharine Hepburn lived with essential tremor, a movement disorder often mistaken for Parkinson's. Their respective medical histories highlight the vast differences in the challenges they faced and serve as a powerful reminder of the advancements made in medical diagnosis and treatment over the past decades. The distinction also sheds light on two separate and important health conditions that continue to affect many people today.

Pseudomyxoma Survivor is a charity that provides support to patients affected by PMP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Audrey Hepburn had cancer. In 1992, she was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), a rare form of cancer that began in her appendix.

Audrey Hepburn had pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), a rare cancer that starts in the appendix and spreads throughout the abdomen.

Katharine Hepburn had essential tremor, a neurological disorder that caused involuntary, rhythmic shaking of her hands, head, and voice.

No, while her tremors were often mistaken for Parkinson's disease, it was later confirmed that Katharine Hepburn had essential tremor.

Audrey Hepburn experienced debilitating abdominal pain, which led to her diagnosis. Other PMP symptoms can include bloating, bowel changes, and loss of appetite.

Yes, while her condition was incurable at the time, modern treatments like Cytoreductive Surgery with HIPEC have significantly improved the prognosis for PMP patients.

The key difference is when the tremor occurs: essential tremor typically worsens with movement or action, whereas the tremor in Parkinson's disease often occurs at rest and may lessen with activity.

Audrey Hepburn was diagnosed in November 1992 after experiencing stomach pain following a trip to Somalia. Exploratory surgery revealed the rare appendix cancer.