Grace Kelly’s Biography

Grace Patricia Kelly (12 November 1929–14 September 1982) was an Oscar-winning actor, fashion icon, and princess of Monaco. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to John and Margaret Kelly, Grace developed a passion for acting at a young age. After studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan, she worked as a stage actor and model. She famously promoted Old Gold cigarettes and appeared on the covers of magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Redbook.

After moving to Hollywood, Grace made her silver screen debut in a minor supporting role in 14 Hours (1951), followed by her breakthrough role in High Noon (1952) as Gary Cooper’s bride. Her performance in Mogambo (1953) earned her an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress.

Director Alfred Hitchcock, impressed by her work in Mogambo, worked with costume designer Edith Head to shape Grace into his ideal of the elegant, blond leading lady. She delivered captivating performances in Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder (1954), Rear Window (1954), and To Catch a Thief (1955).

Grace defied her glamorized public persona in the film The Country Girl (1954), which won her the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1955. The success of the song “True Love” from the movie High Society (1956) earned her a gold record, and, in 1956, she was voted the Golden Globe’s World Film Favorite Actor, Female.

Later that year, she married Prince Rainier Grimaldi III of Monaco, becoming Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco. She retired from acting to focus on her new role as a princess and to raise her three children: Princess Caroline, Prince Albert, and Princess Stéphanie.

As princess of Monaco, Grace dedicated her time to charitable causes, focusing on health, education, and the arts. She was an active member of the Red Cross, serving as the president of its Monaco chapter for several years, and she established the Princess Grace Foundation to support emerging talent in theater, dance, and film.

Princess Grace suffered a stroke while driving on 13 September 1982, causing her car to veer off a Monaco cliffside road and crash. She died the following day from injuries sustained in the accident. Her legacy endures as a timeless icon of style, beauty, and grace, continuing to inspire people worldwide.

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