Grace Kelly, the iconic actress and princess, remains a symbol of timeless beauty even years after her passing. This remarkable woman, whose career spanned only about six years, left an indelible mark during Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Born on November 12, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kelly was the daughter of John B. Kelly, a gold-medal-winning oarsman, and the niece of playwright George Kelly, who was her biggest supporter. George encouraged Grace to pursue her dream of becoming an actress and closely followed her rise to fame in Hollywood.
During her active years on screen, Kelly starred alongside some of the industry’s biggest names. She made her debut in the film “Fourteen Hours” but gained widespread recognition for her role as Gary Cooper’s Quaker wife in “High Noon” in 1952. From there, Kelly starred in numerous renowned films, including the adventure romance “Mogambo” with Clark Gable and Ava Gardner, which earned her a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. Other notable films include “The Country Girl,” for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress, the comedy musical “High Society,” and three Alfred Hitchcock classics: “Dial M for Murder,” “Rear Window,” and “To Catch a Thief” with Cary Grant.
By the age of 26, Kelly had already become one of the highest-paid and most respected actresses in the world. However, her life took a dramatic turn when she met Prince Rainier III of Monaco during a photoshoot at the Cannes Film Festival in France. After marrying him, she became the Princess of Monaco, ending her acting career.
Kelly embodied the grace and elegance of a princess throughout her life. She and Prince Rainier had three children: Caroline, Princess of Hanover; Albert II, Prince of Monaco; and Princess Stéphanie.
