Childhood and Education Journey of Grace Kelly in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Grace Kelly. A timeline of key moments.

Grace Kelly was a celebrated American actress who transitioned to royalty upon marrying Prince Rainier III, becoming the Princess of Monaco in 1956. Before her marriage, she had a successful Hollywood career in the early to mid-1950s, earning an Academy Award and three Golden Globe Awards. She's recognized as one of the greatest female stars in cinematic history, ranked 13th by the American Film Institute. Her life represents a unique blend of Hollywood glamour and European royalty, forever solidifying her place in popular culture.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1920: Grace Kelly's Father Falls Foul of Amateurism Rules

In 1920, Grace Kelly's father fell foul of the Henley Royal Regatta's amateurism rules.

1923: The Torch-Bearers Production

In 1923, Grace Kelly's uncle George Kelly wrote The Torch-Bearers. Grace later used a scene from it when auditioning for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.

1924: Marriage of Parents

In 1924, Grace Kelly's parents, John Kelly and Margaret Majer, married. Margaret then focused on being a homemaker until her children were of school age.

November 12, 1929: Grace Kelly's Birth

On November 12, 1929, Grace Patricia Kelly was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She later became a famous American actress and Princess of Monaco.

Others born on this day/year

1929: Childhood Home built in Philadelphia

In 1929, Grace Kelly's childhood home was built by her father John B. Kelly Sr. in the East Falls section of Philadelphia.

1935: Father's Mayoral Election Loss

In 1935, John B. Kelly Sr., Grace Kelly's father, ran as the Democratic Party nominee for mayor of Philadelphia but lost by the closest margin in the city's history.

1942: Lead role in Don't Feed the Animals

In 1942, at the age of 12, Grace Kelly played the lead in Don't Feed the Animals, a play produced in East Falls by the Old Academy Players, marking an early acting experience.

May 1947: Graduation from Stevens School

In May 1947, Grace Kelly graduated from Stevens School, where she participated in drama and dance programs and was prophesied to become a famous star.

July 1947: Rejection by Bennington College

In July 1947, Grace Kelly was rejected by Bennington College due to her low mathematics scores. Following this, she decided to pursue acting despite initial parental disapproval.

1949: Graduation from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts

In 1949, Grace Kelly graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and started appearing in New York City theatrical productions and television broadcasts.

1950: Grace Kelly resided in childhood home.

In 1950, Grace Kelly lived in her childhood home, built by her father in Philadelphia, before Prince Rainier III proposed to her there in 1955.

April 1954: Filmed Green Fire in Colombia

In April 1954, Grace Kelly filmed Green Fire in Colombia alongside Stewart Granger. She played Catherine Knowland, a coffee plantation owner and described the shoot as unpleasant due to the poor conditions.

1954: Engagement to Oleg Cassini

In 1954, Grace Kelly dated and was engaged to Oleg Cassini after his divorce from Gene Tierney, marking a significant relationship in her life.

April 1955: Headed U.S. delegation at Cannes Film Festival

In April 1955, Grace Kelly led the U.S. delegation at the Cannes Film Festival and was invited to a photo session with Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

May 6, 1955: Met Prince Rainier III

On May 6, 1955, Grace Kelly met Prince Rainier III at the Prince's Palace of Monaco during a photo session.

1955: Photographed by Howell Conant in Jamaica

In 1955, Grace Kelly was photographed by Howell Conant in Jamaica. The photographs were published in Collier's, with a photo of her rising from the water on the cover.

1955: Prince Rainier III proposed in childhood home

In 1955, Prince Rainier III proposed to Grace Kelly in her childhood home in Philadelphia.

April 18, 1956: Marriage to Prince Rainier III

On April 18, 1956, Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III, becoming Princess of Monaco, marking a significant life event that led to her retirement from acting.

April 19, 1956: Married Prince Rainier III

On April 19, 1956, Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III after a year-long courtship.

1956: Marriage to Prince Rainier III

In 1956, upon her marriage to Prince Rainier III, Grace Kelly was styled "Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco" and bore all historical titles of her husband.

1956: Grace Kelly Popularizes the "Kelly bag"

In 1956, while pregnant with her daughter Caroline, Princess Grace was often photographed with a Hermès leather handbag. This "Sac à dépêches" became known as the "Kelly bag" due to its association with her.

January 23, 1957: Princess Caroline Born

On January 23, 1957, Princess Grace gave birth to her first child, Princess Caroline.

March 14, 1958: Prince Albert Born

On March 14, 1958, Princess Grace gave birth to Prince Albert, the heir to the throne.

1963: Founded AMADE Mondiale

In 1963, Grace Kelly founded AMADE Mondiale, a Monaco-based non-profit organization recognized by the UN, to protect children's well-being worldwide.

1964: Establishment of the Princess Grace Foundation

In 1964, Princess Grace established the Princess Grace Foundation to support local artisans in Monaco, showcasing her commitment to the arts.

1964: Founded Princess Grace Foundation

In 1964, Princess Grace founded the Princess Grace Foundation to support local artisans in Monaco.

February 1, 1965: Princess Stéphanie Born

On February 1, 1965, Princess Grace's youngest child, Princess Stéphanie, was born.

1965: Became honorary member of La Leche League

In 1965, Grace Kelly became an honorary member of La Leche League and focused on mothering through breastfeeding.

1971: Speaker at La Leche League Conference

In 1971, Grace Kelly was a speaker at the La Leche League conference in Chicago, addressing thousands of mothers, fathers, and babies. She was an advocate for breastfeeding.

1972: Grace Kelly owned a Rover P6 3500.

In 1972, the car that Grace Kelly drove and lost control of in 1982 was a Rover P6 3500.

1974: The Kelly family sold the property

In 1974, the Kelly family sold Grace Kelly's childhood home, where Prince Rainier III would later propose to her.

1975: Founded Princess Grace Academy

In 1975, Grace Kelly helped found the Princess Grace Academy, the resident school of the Monte Carlo Ballet.

1976: Purchased ancestral home in Ireland

In 1976, Grace Kelly purchased her family's ancestral homestead in Drumilra, near Newport, County Mayo, Ireland.

1979: Worked on Rearranged film

In 1979, Grace Kelly and Rainier worked together on a 33-minute independent film titled Rearranged.

1980: Published My Book of Flowers

In 1980, Grace Kelly published My Book of Flowers with Gwen Robyns, detailing her floral aesthetics, symbolism, and flower pressing.

1981: Invited to Present Prizes at Henley Royal Regatta

In 1981, Grace Kelly was invited to present the prizes at the Henley Royal Regatta.

September 13, 1982: Suffered Cerebral Hemorrhage

On September 13, 1982, Grace Kelly suffered a mild cerebral hemorrhage while driving back to Monaco, leading to a car accident where her 1972 Rover P6 3500 tumbled down the mountainside.

September 18, 1982: Funeral Held in Monaco

On September 18, 1982, Princess Grace's funeral was held at the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate in Monaco-Ville. Many notable figures attended the Requiem Mass, and she was buried in the Grimaldi family vault.

1982: Rearranged film received interest from ABC TV

In 1982, Rearranged, the 33-minute independent film starring Grace Kelly and Rainier, received interest from ABC TV executives after its premiere in Monaco.

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2004: Prince Albert Presents Prizes at Henley Royal Regatta

In 2004, Prince Albert presented the prizes at the Henley Royal Regatta.

2010: Wedding described as media overkill

In 2010, Robert Lacey described Grace Kelly's wedding to Prince Rainier III as "the first modern event to generate media overkill". The wedding ceremonies and attire were meticulously planned, with the wedding dress being worked on for six weeks by dozens of dress makers.

2019: Planning Begins for Grace de Monaco Luxury Brand

In 2019, plans were initiated for the launch of Grace de Monaco, a luxury brand by the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, which later launched on July 15, 2021.