Grace Kelly

American actress and Princess consort of Monaco (1929–1982)

Grace Patricia Kelly (November 12, 1929 – September 14, 1982) was an American actress and royal. She later married Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and became Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco.

Grace Kelly
Princess consort of Monaco
TenureApril 18, 1956 – September 14, 1982
Born(1929-11-12)November 12, 1929
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedSeptember 14, 1982(1982-09-14) (aged 52)
Monaco
Burial
Spouse
(m. 1956)
IssueCaroline, Princess of Hanover
Albert II, Prince of Monaco
Princess Stéphanie of Monaco
Full name
Grace Patricia Kelly
FatherJohn B. Kelly, Sr.
MotherMargaret Katherine Majer
ReligionRoman Catholicism[1]
OccupationActress
SignatureGrace Kelly's signature

Early life

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Grace Patricia Kelly was born at Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia on November 12, 1929. Her father was an Irish and her mother was a German.

Acting career

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Grace Kelly graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1949. She made her film debut in Fourteen Hours (1951) and gained stardom from her roles in Fred Zinnemann's western film High Noon (1952), and John Ford's adventure-romance Mogambo (1953). Other notable works include Dial M for Murder, Rear Window, and To Catch a Thief. In 1955 she won an Academy Award for The Country Girl. She was the first actress to appear on a postage stamp. She was also mentioned in Billy Joel's song "We Didn't Start the Fire" and in Mika's song "Grace Kelly" (2007).

The classic head-cover of a silk scarf crossed under the chin and knotted at the side or nape of the neck is universally known as the "Grace Kelly". This chic look is still copied by many female Hollywood stars when they wish to retain a degree of anonymity in the public eye.

Life as a royal

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Grace Kelly retired from acting at age 26 to marry Rainier III of Monaco.

With Prince Rainier, she had three children:

As Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly was known for her charity work.

On September 13, 1982, Kelly suffered a stroke while she was driving her 1972 Rover P6 3500, which caused her to crash the car. She died in hospital the next day. Her 17-year-old daughter, Stéphanie sustained a hairline fracture of a neck vertebra but survived.[2] Her son, Prince Albert, helped establish the Princess Grace Awards in 1984.

References

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  1. A Prayer for Monaco. Catholic Online. Published: February 3, 2009.
  2. "1982: Hollywood princess dead". 14 September 1982 – via news.bbc.co.uk.

Other websites

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