Grace Patricia Kelly, also known as Grace, Princess of Monaco, was an awarded actress and later the Princess of Monaco, born on 12th November 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA She was one of the most popular Hollywood divas from the 1950s who appeared in New York City theaters and more than 40 episodes of live drama productions during the Golden Age of Television. Some of her most notable appearances include the films “Mogambo”(1953), “The Country Girl” (1954), “High Noon”(1952), “Rear Window”(1954), “High Society”(1956) and many others. She passed away in 1982.
Have you ever wondered how rich Grace Kelly was? According to sources it has been estimated that Grace Kelly’s net worth was $40 million, accumulated initially through an outstandingly successful acting career, with roles that raised her to stardom, and her later marriage to Prince Rainier III significantly added to her fortune.
Grace Kelly Net Worth $40 Million
Grace was born into a rich family; her father, John Brendan “Jack” Kelly, won three Olympic gold medals with the U.S. rowing team, but was also the owner one of the most successful brick businesses on the East Coast, and a self-made millionaire. Grace was the third of four children -.from her mother’s side Grace was of German descent as her grandparents were German immigrants, and from her father’s she had Irish ancestry. She showed interest in acting and performing from an early age, and participated in school plays while occasionally modeling with her sister and mother. Grace went to the prestigious Ravenhill Academy, a Catholic girls’ school, and then attended Stevens private high school. Kelly wanted to enroll at the Bennington College, but was rejected due to low scores in mathematics. This, however, encouraged her to pursue a career in acting, which she had always preferred. Grace’s uncles were also accomplished actors and had made an impact in cinema – George Kelly had won the Pulitzer Prize for his comedy drama “The Show Off”, and Walter Kelly had been a successful actor.
Finally, in 1947 Grace was admitted to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, and fully committed herself to acting studies. To support herself through studies, due to her parents lack of support, she did modeling and was in frequent demand due to her good looks which eventually made her one of the highest paid models in New York at the time. Her Broadway debut came when she was 19, which then attracted the attention of TV producers who featured her often in various TV productions. Naturally, this led to offers of roles in films, and her first was in “Fourteen Hours” (1951) next to Gary Cooper, after which he recommended Kelly as his partner in the iconic 1952 movie “High Noon”. The same year, she signed a seven year contract with director John Ford, who then cast her in his movie “Mogambo” (1953), a role which brought her a Golden Globe Award and her first Academy nomination. Grace also collaborated with Alfred Hitchcock and appeared in several of his movies including “Dial M for Murder” and “Rear Window”. Her other notable roles were in “The Country Girl”(1954) – for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress – “To Catch a Thief”(1955) and “High Society”(1956).
At the Cannes Film Festival in 1955, Grace met Prince of Monaco – Prince Rainer III, who then visited America that year, and after spending just three days with her, decided to propose. The couple married in April 1956, and Kelly was given 142 titles, among them Princess Grace of Monaco. Grace gave up her acting career, although she had second thoughts. She then founded several organizations, including AMADE Mondiale, a non-governmental organization which promoted the spiritual well-being of children, and the Princess Grace Foundation which supported local artists.
Despite all of her royal duties, directors tried to tempt Kelly out of retirement, but never succeeded. Many years later, in September 1982, after having a stroke while driving, Grace died on 14th September 1982 in Monaco. She was buried in the Grimaldi family vault, and James Stewart read an eulogy at the funeral.
Kelly and Prince Rainer had three children, among them is Albert, current ruler of the Principality of Monaco.
