Princess Grace

 

Princess Grace's Life

     Little girls always dream of one thing: becoming a princess. For Grace Kelly, her life was a dream come true. Grace was born on November 12th, 1929 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She went to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York to become an actress. When she graduated in 1949, she worked as a model. She debuted on the stage in New York in the play "The Father" with Raymond Massey. Just four years after graduating college, she played the part of Georgia Elgin in "The Country Girl" with Bing Crosby, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. In 1955, she traveled to Monaco to film "To Catch a Thief." At the Cannes Festival in 1955, she met Prince Rainier III, the unmarried ruler of Monaco. He needed to have an heir, or Monaco would be ruled by France and the people would have to pay French taxes when he died.^[1] The Prince and Grace then spent Christmas with her family in America. On January 5th, 1956, the two announced their engagement. Only three months later, on April 18th, they were married at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Monaco. This national celebration lasted for two days. From this event, Grace earned the title of Her Serene Princess of Monaco, although she is commonly referred to as Princess Grace. Princess Grace and Prince Rainier had three children: Princess Caroline, Prince Albert, Rainier's successor to the throne, and Princess Stephanie. Princess Grace wanted to raise her children as normally as possible, so she cooked and took personal care of them. Unfortunately, on September 14th, 1982, the Princess was driving around a bend in Rivera with her daughter, Princess Stephanie, when she had a stroke and drove off a cliff. Though her daughter survived, Princess Grace had fatal injuries, and died almost immediately. She was deeply mourned by her family and both of her countries. The United States and Monaco even made stamps to honor her.^[2] Her funeral was held in the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, where she was married nearly 20 years before, and was broadcast worldwide. As an idol for many, she was very important to the 1900's. 

          ^[3]

    Princess Grace looking out her balcony over Monaco.

 

Significance

     Princess Grace was significant in many ways. Firstly, she was important to Monaco. The people of Monaco had loved her for her kindness and generosity. She was the president of the Red Cross of Monaco, the Gardening Club of Monaco, and the committee that founded the International Arts Foundation.^[4] She also was on the board of 20th Century Fox Productions and earned the Ceres Medal from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for public service.^[5] There is a foundation that she established called the Princess Grace Foundation.^[6] The Princess Grace Foundation gives scholarships for and encourages young adults to pursue a career for performing arts. In America, she made a difference in acting. She starred in 11 movies and 60 television shows during her life.^[7] According to Premiere Magazine, she was the 12th best actress of all time.^[8] The Princess Grace Foundation that was originally based in Monaco spread out to America, and has helped many aspiring actors, musicians, and artists to get on their feet. Lastly, she changed the way people think about royalty. Before 1956, royalty was given to you by birth. Queens, Kings, Princes, and Princesses had never had civilian lives. Then Grace Kelly, the American actress, becomes a princess, only something that would happen in your imagination. The way that she tried to raise her children normally showcased her family's values and personality, which some royal families don't get a chance to do. She was able to show the world that her family was just as kind and caring as regular people are. Her impact on the world will never be forgotten.

 

 

 

The last interview of Princess Grace before her startling death.