- Born
- Died
- Birth nameRainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand de Grimaldi
- Born the sole heir to the throne of the nation of Monaco, Prince Rainier lived his life by duty. The son of Charlotte Grimaldi, the illegitimate daughter of Monaco's Prince Louis, Rainier was the aging Monarch's only grandson and was therefore invested as his heir. He knew the constraints of duty immediately - as he was sole heir, he could not abdicate his throne for any reason, as there was no-one else to take it over. By law, Monaco must have a male Grimaldi as ruler, or the principality reverts to the ownership of France. While still a young man, Rainier was forced to break off plans to marry his girlfriend after tests showed she was infertile. While he cared for her, Monaco had to have an heir. He soon became known as the wealthiest bachelor in the world, and for a short time even Marilyn Monroe was considered for his bride. Instead, he wed famous film star Grace Kelly in what was termed "the Wedding of the Century". A year later the new Princess Grace gave birth to their first child, daughter Princess Caroline of Monaco. A year after this event came the birth of their son and heir Prince Albert of Monaco, Marquis of Baux. A few years later Princess Stéphanie of Monaco arrived to round out the family. After the tragic death of Princess Grace in a car accident, Princess Caroline took on her mother's role as Monaco's unofficial First Lady. Caroline has three children (Andrea, Pierre, and Charlotte) by her second husband, Stefano Casiraghi (who died in a speed-boat accident) and a daughter (Princess Alexandra) by her third husband, Prince Ernst August of Hanover. Princess Stephanie has two children by her short-lived marriage to bodyguard Daniel Ducruet and an illegitimate daughter, Camille. Prince Albert remained unmarried, and seemingly inherited his father's former title as the most eligible Prince in the world. Rainer had many health problems in later life, and died in hospital on April 5th 2005 following a long illness, at the age of 81. Following his state funeral, attended by many world dignitaries and royalty, his son formally succeeded him as Prince Albert II of Monaco.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Nichol
- SpouseGrace Kelly(April 18, 1956 - September 14, 1982) (her death, 3 children)
- Children
- RelativesPrince Albert Ier de Monaco(Great Grandparent)Prince Jacques of Monaco(Grandchild)Princess Gabriella of Monaco(Grandchild)Jazmin Grace Grimaldi(Grandchild)Alexandre Coste(Grandchild)Andrea Casiraghi(Grandchild)Charlotte Casiraghi(Grandchild)Pierre Casiraghi(Grandchild)Louis Ducruet(Grandchild)Pauline Ducruet(Grandchild)Louis Grimaldi(Grandparent)Karel Schwarzenberg(Cousin)
- Grace Kelly's movies were banned in Monaco by his order.
- Succeeded his grandfather Louis Grimaldi (Prince Louis II). Rainier's mother, Princess Charlotte, renounced her rights to succession so that he could come to the throne.
- At the time of his death he was the world's second-longest reigning monarch, after Thailand's King Bhumibol.
- Drew up Monaco's latest constitution (1962), significantly reducing the power of the sovereign, ending autocratic rule, and placing power with the prince and a National Council of eighteen elected members.
- Served as a Second Lieutenant in the French army. His courage during the German counter-offensive in Alsace earned him the Croix de Guerre, the Bronze Star and the rank of Chevalier in the Legion of Honor. Although his grandfather, Prince Louis II, fought for the French during World War I, he supported the Nazi-installed Vichy government of his old army colleague, Marshall Petain, and did little when Italy invaded and occupied Monaco, setting up a fascist government. Louis's vacillation caused an enormous rift with Rainier.
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