Actress, Princess of Monaco.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into a wealthy and prominent Catholic family, she was the third of four children. With natural beauty, she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, New York, and began a modeling career.
She quickly turned to movies, with her first major picture being the classic Western film "High Noon" (1952) with Gary Cooper. She would go on to play memorable roles in: "Mogambo" (1953), "Dial M for Murder" (1954), "Rear Window" (1954), "The Country Girl" (1954, winning the Academy Award for Best Actress), "The Bridges at Toko-Ri" (1954), "To Catch a Thief" (1955), "The Swan" (1956), and "High Society" (1956).
At the 1955 Cannes Film Festival in France, she met Prince Rainier, the ruler of Monaco, and, within a year, they were engaged. On April 19, 1956, she married Prince Rainier in Monaco in what the press called the "Wedding of the Century," allowing MGM Studios to film the entire wedding in exchange for ending her seven-year movie contract.
As Princess of Monaco, she remained in the public eye, always showing dignity and grace, further warming her with her adopted country and with the American public. She and Prince Rainier had three children: Caroline, Albert, and Stephanie. For her contributions to motion pictures, she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6329 Hollywood Blvd.
On September 13, 1982, Princess Grace suffered a mild cerebral hemorrhage while driving back to Monaco from her country home. As a result, she lost control of her automobile and drove off the steep, winding road and down the 120-foot mountainside. Her teenage daughter, Stéphanie, who was in the passenger seat, tried, but failed, to regain control of the car. The Princess was taken to the Monaco Hospital (later named the Princess Grace Hospital Centre) with injuries to the brain and thorax and a fractured femur. She died the following night at 10:55 p.m.
Princess Grace's funeral was held at the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate in Monaco-Ville, on September 18, 1982. After a Requiem Mass, she was buried in the Grimaldi family vault. Over 400 people attended, including Cary Grant, Nancy Reagan, Danielle Mitterrand, Empress Farah of Iran, and Diana, Princess of Wales. She was featured on Monaco's 2007 Commemorative 2 Euro Coin.
Actress, Princess of Monaco.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into a wealthy and prominent Catholic family, she was the third of four children. With natural beauty, she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, New York, and began a modeling career.
She quickly turned to movies, with her first major picture being the classic Western film "High Noon" (1952) with Gary Cooper. She would go on to play memorable roles in: "Mogambo" (1953), "Dial M for Murder" (1954), "Rear Window" (1954), "The Country Girl" (1954, winning the Academy Award for Best Actress), "The Bridges at Toko-Ri" (1954), "To Catch a Thief" (1955), "The Swan" (1956), and "High Society" (1956).
At the 1955 Cannes Film Festival in France, she met Prince Rainier, the ruler of Monaco, and, within a year, they were engaged. On April 19, 1956, she married Prince Rainier in Monaco in what the press called the "Wedding of the Century," allowing MGM Studios to film the entire wedding in exchange for ending her seven-year movie contract.
As Princess of Monaco, she remained in the public eye, always showing dignity and grace, further warming her with her adopted country and with the American public. She and Prince Rainier had three children: Caroline, Albert, and Stephanie. For her contributions to motion pictures, she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6329 Hollywood Blvd.
On September 13, 1982, Princess Grace suffered a mild cerebral hemorrhage while driving back to Monaco from her country home. As a result, she lost control of her automobile and drove off the steep, winding road and down the 120-foot mountainside. Her teenage daughter, Stéphanie, who was in the passenger seat, tried, but failed, to regain control of the car. The Princess was taken to the Monaco Hospital (later named the Princess Grace Hospital Centre) with injuries to the brain and thorax and a fractured femur. She died the following night at 10:55 p.m.
Princess Grace's funeral was held at the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate in Monaco-Ville, on September 18, 1982. After a Requiem Mass, she was buried in the Grimaldi family vault. Over 400 people attended, including Cary Grant, Nancy Reagan, Danielle Mitterrand, Empress Farah of Iran, and Diana, Princess of Wales. She was featured on Monaco's 2007 Commemorative 2 Euro Coin.
Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson
Family Members
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