Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly
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Name	Grace Kelly
Title	Princess of Monaco
Caption	Kelly in 1956
Spouse	Rainier III, Prince of Monaco
Issue	Caroline, Princess of Hanover, Albert II, Prince of Monaco, Princess Stéphanie of Monaco
House	House of Grimaldi (by marriage)
Father	John B. Kelly Sr.
Mother	Margaret Katherine Majer
Birth date	12 November 1929
Birth place	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death date	14 September 1982
Death place	Monaco
Burial place	St. Nicholas Cathedral, Monaco
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1949–1956
Awards	Academy Award for Best Actress (1955), Golden Globe Award, New York Film Critics Circle Award

Grace Kelly. An American actress who became Princess of Monaco following her marriage to Rainier III, Prince of Monaco. Her brief but illustrious film career in the 1950s earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress and cemented her status as a Hollywood icon of elegance and poise. Her transition from celebrated star to revered royal defined her public life and left a lasting legacy in both the United States and the Principality of Monaco.

Early life and family

Grace Patricia Kelly was born into a prominent and wealthy Irish American family in Philadelphia. Her father, John B. Kelly Sr., was a successful bricklayer who founded a major construction company and won three Olympic gold medals in rowing. Her mother, Margaret Katherine Majer, was a former model and physical education instructor who taught at the University of Pennsylvania. The family was staunchly Roman Catholic and included an older sister, Peggy, and a brother, John B. Kelly Jr., who also became an Olympic oarsman. She attended the prestigious Ravenhill Academy and later the Stevens School in Germantown before pursuing her passion for acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.

Acting career

Kelly began her professional career as a model and in live television dramas for networks like NBC. Her Broadway debut came in 1949 with *The Father*. Her film debut occurred in the 1951 Republic Pictures production Fourteen Hours. Her breakthrough role came in the 1952 Western High Noon, opposite Gary Cooper. She achieved major stardom through her collaborations with legendary director Alfred Hitchcock, starring in three of his films: Dial M for Murder with Ray Milland, Rear Window with James Stewart, and To Catch a Thief with Cary Grant. Her performance in *The Country Girl* won her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1955, defeating Judy Garland for *A Star Is Born*. Her final film role was in the musical *High Society*, which featured a score by Cole Porter.

Marriage and royal life

While attending the Cannes Film Festival in 1955, Kelly was introduced to Rainier III, Prince of Monaco. Their courtship captured global attention, and their wedding in April 1956 was a major media event, televised worldwide and dubbed "the wedding of the century." Upon marriage, she relinquished her American acting career and became Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco. She focused on her royal duties, presiding over events like the annual Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival and the Rose Ball. She bore three children: Princess Caroline, Prince Albert, and Princess Stéphanie. She worked to revitalize the cultural and charitable profile of the Principality of Monaco, often collaborating with institutions like the Red Cross.

Philanthropy and public image

As princess, Kelly dedicated herself to numerous philanthropic causes, serving as President of the Monegasque Red Cross and as a patron of the arts. She was a strong advocate for children's welfare, supporting organizations like UNICEF and founding AMADE Mondiale, a children's charity. Her impeccable style, characterized by designers like Helen Rose and Christian Dior, continued to influence global fashion. She was frequently featured in publications like *Vogue* and *Life*, and her image as a paragon of grace and dignity helped solidify the modern prestige of the House of Grimaldi. Her diplomatic efforts strengthened ties between Monaco and the United States.

Death and legacy

On September 13, 1982, Kelly suffered a stroke while driving with her daughter Stéphanie on the winding roads of the French Riviera. Her car plunged down a mountainside near Roc Agel, the family's country estate. She died the following day at Monaco Hospital from injuries sustained in the crash. Her funeral at St. Nicholas Cathedral, Monaco was attended by dignitaries including Nancy Reagan and Princess Diana. She was interred in the Grimaldi family tomb. Her legacy endures through her film work, her contributions to Monaco, and her enduring status as a style icon. The Princess Grace Foundation-USA continues to support emerging artists in theater, dance, and film. Her life has been the subject of numerous biographies, documentaries, and the 2014 film Grace of Monaco.

Category:American film actresses Category:Princesses of Monaco Category:Best Actress Academy Award winners