Audrey Kathleen Ruston was born in Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium, to Ella van Heemstra, a Dutch baroness, and Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston, a British subject. Her birth marked the beginning of a life that would transcend borders and touch countless hearts around the globe.

Audrey's childhood was deeply impacted by World War II and the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. She and her mother endured immense hardship, including malnutrition and fear. Audrey even secretly participated in the Dutch Resistance, performing ballet to raise money for the cause. This period instilled in her a profound empathy for suffering and a lifelong commitment to helping children in need.