Julie Andrews, now 89, has stunned fans with her candid revelations in her latest memoir, sharing truths that have long remained hidden behind her graceful public persona.

Known worldwide for her iconic roles in Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, Andrews has been a symbol of charm, elegance, and wholesome entertainment for decades.

Yet, beneath that polished exterior lies a complex woman whose life story is filled with challenges, resilience, and surprising moments that few expected her to disclose.

Born Julia Elizabeth Wells on October 1, 1935, in Walton-on-Thames, England, Julie’s early years were marked by both musical promise and family difficulties.

Her mother, Barbara Ward Morris, left her father to live with a Canadian tenor named Ted Andrews, whose surname Julie would eventually adopt despite not being her biological father.

From a young age, her extraordinary four-octave singing voice set her apart, and she began performing on stage at just nine years old, often standing on a beer crate to reach the microphone due to her small stature.

However, her home life was far from idyllic.

Both Ted Andrews and Barbara struggled with alcoholism, and Julie has revealed harrowing details of her stepfather’s inappropriate behavior when drunk, which forced her to install a lock on her bedroom door for safety.

These early hardships forced her to mature quickly, working tirelessly to support her family while pursuing a demanding performing career that left little room for a normal childhood or education.

By age 12, Julie was already performing for the royal family at the Royal Command Performance, and at 13, she made her West End debut.

Her breakthrough came on Broadway in 1954 with The Boyfriend, and by 1956 she was a star playing Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady.

Despite her success on stage, Hollywood initially overlooked her for the film adaptation, casting Audrey Hepburn instead.

However, Walt Disney recognized her unique talents and cast her as Mary Poppins in 1964, a role that won her an Academy Award on her very first film appearance.

Andrews’s portrayal of Mary Poppins cemented her status as a beloved icon, followed by the equally celebrated role of Maria in The Sound of Music (1965).

Though these roles defined her image as prim, proper, and practically perfect, her memoir reveals a more playful and mischievous side both on and off screen.

Costume designer and first husband Tony Walton, who designed the costumes for Mary Poppins, added secret colorful linings and playful touches to Mary’s prim attire, hinting at a hidden cheekiness beneath the character’s strict exterior.

Andrews herself has joked about Mary Poppins having an orgasm or needing to use the bathroom, reminding fans that actors are more than their characters.

Her career was not without challenges.

In 1997, vocal cord surgery intended to remove nodules damaged her singing voice, a devastating blow for a lifelong singer.

Yet Andrews reinvented herself, lending her voice to beloved animated characters such as Queen Lillian in the Shrek series, proving her enduring versatility.

One of the most surprising revelations in her memoir concerns her first on-screen love scene in The Americanization of Emily (1964) opposite James Garner.

Unaccustomed to such intimate acting, Andrews admits she was terrified and unsure of what was expected, describing the experience as emotionally overwhelming.

Garner’s kindness and professionalism helped her navigate this new territory, allowing her to deliver a memorable performance.

Her iconic opening scene in The Sound of Music, where she spins joyfully in an alpine meadow, was also far from easy.

Shot using a helicopter camera, the powerful rotor wash repeatedly knocked her to the ground, forcing nine takes in cold, damp conditions before the perfect shot was captured.

Additionally, a hair dye mishap turned her naturally brown hair bright orange, leading to a quick cut and blonde dye that became part of her character’s look.

Off-screen, Andrews was known to surprise.

During the filming of Mary Poppins, a stunt went wrong and she fell hard, swearing loudly in front of Walt Disney himself, who was reportedly stunned by the unexpected language from the usually prim actress.

Child actress Karen Dotrice, who played Jane Banks, was shocked to see Andrews smoking and cursing on set, a far cry from the image audiences knew.

In 1981, Andrews took a bold step to break free from her wholesome image by appearing topless in S.O.B. , a dark comedy directed by her husband Blake Edwards.

The scene shocked fans but was a deliberate move to reclaim control over her career and challenge the typecasting she had endured for years.

Andrews famously quipped, “Does Mary Poppins have an orgasm?” highlighting her desire to be seen as a real woman with complexity beyond her iconic roles.

Her personal life included two significant marriages.

She married Tony Walton in 1959, with whom she had a daughter, Emma.

Though they divorced in 1967, they maintained a supportive friendship.

Shortly after, she met Blake Edwards, and after a two-year courtship, they married in 1969.

Their relationship was filled with love and challenges, including Blake’s chronic health issues and depression, which Andrews supported him through until his death in 2010.

Despite the ups and downs, Andrews’s memoir paints a portrait of a woman who has lived fully, embracing both the light and dark moments of her life with honesty and grace.

Even now, in her late 80s, she continues to surprise and inspire, sharing stories that reveal the real person behind the legend.