Grace Kelly

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Grace Kelly
Kelly in 1954
Title	Princess of Monaco
Reign
Coronation
Predecessor
Successor
Spouse	Rainier III, Prince of Monaco
Issue	Caroline Albert II Stéphanie
Full Name	Grace Patricia Kelly
House	House of Grimaldi
Father	John B. Kelly Sr.
Mother	Margaret Majer
Birth Date	1929-11-12
Birth Place	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death Date	September 14, 1982(1982-09-14) (aged 52)
Death Place	Monaco
Burial Date	September 18, 1982
Burial Place	Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Monaco

Grace Patricia Kelly (November 12, 1929 – September 14, 1982) was an American actress who became the Princess of Monaco after marrying Prince Rainier III in April 1956. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to a wealthy and influential family. Kelly gained fame for her performances in classic films of the 1950s and later became a beloved royal figure.

Early Life

Grace Kelly was born to John B. Kelly Sr., a three-time Olympic gold medalist in rowing, and Margaret Majer, a former model and the first woman to coach women's athletics at the University of Pennsylvania. She had three siblings: Margaret, John Jr., and Elizabeth. Kelly was raised in a Catholic household and attended prestigious schools, including the Stevens School and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Acting Career

Kelly began her acting career in the early 1950s, appearing in various television productions and stage plays. Her breakthrough role came in 1952 with the film High Noon, where she starred opposite Gary Cooper. She went on to work with some of the most prominent directors of the time, including Alfred Hitchcock, who cast her in three of his films: Dial M for Murder (1954), Rear Window (1954), and To Catch a Thief (1955).

In 1954, Kelly won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in The Country Girl. Her other notable films include Mogambo (1953), for which she received a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress, and High Society (1956), her final film before retiring from acting.

Marriage and Royal Life

In 1955, while attending the Cannes Film Festival, Kelly met Prince Rainier III of Monaco. The couple announced their engagement in January 1956 and were married on April 19, 1956, in a lavish ceremony that attracted significant media attention. Upon her marriage, Kelly became known as Princess Grace of Monaco.

As Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly focused on philanthropic work, particularly in the areas of arts, culture, and children's welfare. She founded the Princess Grace Foundation-USA to support emerging artists in theater, dance, and film.

Death

On September 13, 1982, Princess Grace suffered a stroke while driving, which led to a car accident. She died the following day at the age of 52. Her death was widely mourned, and she was buried in the Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco.

Legacy

Grace Kelly remains an iconic figure in both the film industry and royal history. Her films continue to be celebrated, and her life story has inspired numerous books, documentaries, and a biographical film, Grace of Monaco (2014).

Related Pages

• Rainier III, Prince of Monaco
• Caroline, Princess of Hanover
• Albert II, Prince of Monaco
• Princess Stéphanie of Monaco
• Alfred Hitchcock
• Academy Award for Best Actress
• Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress
• Princess Grace Foundation-USA