Theatric Beginnings
Grace Kelly started as a model while attending classes at New York’s American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
She lived in the Barbizon Hotel for women, an exclusive residence with a man not allowed above the ground floor.
Entering High Society
When Grace Kelly married the Prince Rainier III of Monaco, her family had to cough up a dowry. Her father Jack Kelly was extremely successful in the brick business, and he forked over a $2 million dowry to cover the cost of the wedding. Grace’s engagement ring was a 10.47-carat emerald-cut diamond set on a platinum band.
In High Society, Grace Kelly’s final feature film, she wears the ring throughout the movie. She received a diamond necklace, earrings, and a Rolls Royce as wedding gifts from the royal family. Grace had two wedding gowns — one for the civil ceremony and the other for the religious ceremony at the Cathedral. The second gown had 25 yards of silk taffeta, 100 yards of silk net, tulle, peau de soie, and 125-year-old Brussels rose point lace.
A Gracious Legacy
In 1993, the USA and Monaco issued a stamp to honor Grace where she is presented as Grace Kelly and a Monegasque version as Princesse Grace. A photo from the Country Girl was used to engrave the design by Czeslaw Slania, a Swedish stamp engraver.
When Grace Kelly broke her arm, she used a Hermes scarf as a sling and a Hermes bag to cover her baby bump from the paparazzi. People started to call it the Kelly Bag and even the company agreed to the name.