Princess Grace of Monaco, known formally as Grace Patricia Kelly is an American actress and the wife of Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi, Rainier III, the Prince of Monaco.
In this article, OldNaijaHistory will be taking you through the life and times of the American actress cum Monaco Princess and a philanthropist.
Early Life, Family Background and Education
Princess Grace of Monaco was born on the 12th of November, 1929 in Philadelphia City of Pennsylvania, United States to the wealthy and influential family of Sir John B. Kelly Sr. and Margeret Kelly, a German and Physical Education teacher at the University of Pennsylvania. She was also the first woman to coach women’s athletic activities in Pennsylvania.
As a child who was raised in a strong catholic background, Grace Kelly had her elementary school in St. Bridget’s parish, East Falls and then proceeded to Ravenhill Academy, a catholic girls’ School. Grace also attended the Stevens school, and finished in 1947.
Grace Kelly also studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.
Career and Achievements
Grace Kelly, known as Princess Grace of Monaco, had a remarkable career that switched from Hollywood to royalty. Some of her career journey and achievements are stated below;
Early Acting Career
– Broadway Debut: She made her Broadway debut in 1949 in August Strindberg’s The Father.
– Television: Kelly acted in around 100 TV plays, which was her most prolific work.
Hollywood Stardom
– Film Debut: Her film debut was in Fourteen Hours (1951).
– Breakthrough Role: She gained stardom with her role in High Noon (1952) alongside Gary Cooper.
– Academy Award: Kelly won the Best Actress Oscar for The Country Girl (1954).
– Hitchcock Films: She starred in three Alfred Hitchcock classics: Dial M for Murder, Rear Window, and To Catch a Thief.
Husband and Children
Marriage
On the 18th of April,1956, Grace Kelly retired from acting to marry Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
In what seemed like an intimate event with just 80 guests in attendance at the Civil wedding which took place in the Palace Throne Room of Monaco and then followed by the religious ceremony the next day at the St Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco.
Children
The union produced three children: Princess Caroline, Prince Albert, and Princess Stéphanie.
Charity Works
– Arts and Children: Princess Grace was known for her charity work, focusing on young children and the arts.
– Princess Grace Foundation: She established the foundation to support local artisans in 1964.
– AMADE Mondiale: Her organization for children’s rights gained consultative status within UNICEF and UNESCO.
Princess Grace of Monaco’s Death and Cause of Death
Princess Grace of Monaco, formerly known as Grace Kelly, passed away on September 14, 1982, at the age of 52 after an accident on the 13th of September, 1982.
The cause of her death was a stroke while she was driving near Monte Carlo with her daughter Princess Stephanie, which made her lost control of the car and led to a car accident.
She lost control of the vehicle, which led to the car plunging off a steep mountain road and falling 100 feet down a ravine.
Princess Stephanie survived the accident with a concussion and a fractured vertebra.
– Hospitalization: Princess Grace was taken to the hospital but was declared brain-dead after 24 hours in a coma. Her husband, Prince Rainier III, made the difficult decision to remove life support.
Princess Grace of Monaco was buried on the 18th of September, 1982 at the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate in Monaco-Ville.
The world will never forget Princess Grace and her philanthropic works, contributions in the Hollywood and her personality.
