Grace, independence, and resilience define Tippi Hedren, the Hollywood icon who celebrates her 95th birthday. Born Nathalie Kay Hedren on January 19, 1930, in Minnesota, she began as a model in the 1950s, gracing the covers of Life and Glamour. Her life changed in 1961 when Alfred Hitchcock offered her a seven-year contract. Hitchcock cast her in The Birds (1963), which launched her career but came at a cost.
Filming was brutal, with real birds attacking her during intense scenes. She next starred in Marnie (1964) with Sean Connery, a film now recognized as ahead of its time. Behind the fame, Hedren endured Hitchcock’s darker side. She later revealed his obsessive and controlling behavior, which she believed harmed her career.
Still, she managed to separate the man from his art, once saying: “He ruined my career, but he didn’t ruin my life.” After Hollywood, Hedren dedicated herself to animal welfare. In 1983, she founded the Shambala Preserve, a sanctuary for big cats, inspired by her dangerous work on the film Roar (1981).
She has lived on the property since 1976, advocating against exotic animals as pets. Her final film role came in 2017, but her legacy extends far beyond acting. At 95, Tippi Hedren remains a symbol of strength, compassion, and survival.