Grace Kelly Family Tree: The Story Behind the Princess of Monaco

Grace Patricia Kelly (1929–1982), born 12 November 1929 in Philadelphia, PA, USA, and died 14 September 1982 in Monaco, was Hollywood's Oscar-winning actress turned princess — High Noon (1952), Mogambo (1953), Rear Window (1954), Dial M for Murder (1954), The Country Girl (1954 — Academy Award), To Catch a Thief (1955); married Prince Rainier III of Monaco 19 April 1956; died in car accident at 52.

The Family's Roots: A Wealthy Philadelphia Irish-American Family

Father was 3× Olympic gold rower; family was Philadelphia elite.

Her Parents

Father: John B. Kelly Sr. (1889–1960) — 3× Olympic gold medallist rower (1920, 1924); construction magnate; Philadelphia Democratic Chairman.

Mother: Margaret Majer Kelly (1898–1990) — German-American; University of Pennsylvania physical education instructor.

Her Siblings

Margaret "Peggy" Katherine (1925–1991); John B. Jr. (1927–1985) — 1956 Olympic rowing bronze; Elizabeth "Lizanne" (1933–2009).

Her Husband: Prince Rainier III

Rainier III, Prince of Monaco (1923–2005) — Monaco sovereign. Married Grace 19 April 1956.

Their Children

Caroline, Princess of Hanover, born 23 January 1957.

Albert II, Prince of Monaco, born 14 March 1958.

Stephanie, Princess of Monaco, born 1 February 1965.

The Kelly Family Tree at a Glance

Father: John B. Kelly Sr. (1889–1960) — 3× Olympic rowing champion.

Mother: Margaret Majer Kelly (1898–1990).

Siblings: Peggy (1925–1991); John Jr. (1927–1985); Lizanne (1933–2009).

Husband: Prince Rainier III (1923–2005; m. 19 April 1956).

Children: Caroline (b. 23 January 1957); Albert II (b. 14 March 1958) — Monaco's current sovereign; Stephanie (b. 1 February 1965).

Grace Kelly:

  • Born 12 November 1929, Philadelphia
  • American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NYC
  • Fourteen Hours (1951) — Hollywood debut
  • Academy Award Best Actress: 1954 (The Country Girl)
  • Married Prince Rainier III: 19 April 1956, Monaco Cathedral — televised globally
  • Retired from acting at 26 to become Princess of Monaco
  • Died: 14 September 1982, Monaco — car accident driving down Corniche mountain road (suffered stroke while driving); age 52

What the Kelly Family Story Teaches Us

A 3× Olympic-rowing-champion father. A physical-education mother. Three siblings including a bronze-Olympic-rowing brother. A princely marriage that produced 3 children including Monaco's current sovereign. A career cut short at 26 for royalty and life ended at 52 in a Monaco car accident.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Grace story carries the same lesson. Some careers cross Hollywood to a European principality.

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