Rainier III, Prince of Monaco Rainier III, Prince of Monaco Rainier III (Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi; 31 May 1923 – 6 April 2005) ruled the Principality of Monaco for almost 56 years, making him one of the longest ruling monarchs in European history. Though internationally known for his marriage to American actress Grace Kelly, he was also responsible for reforms to Monaco's constitution and for expanding the principality's economy beyond its traditional casino gambling base. Gambling accounts for only approximately three percent of the nation's annual revenue today; when Rainier ascended the throne in 1949, it accounted for more than 95 percent. Rainier
Grace Kelly filmography year, she portrayed a long-suffering wife of an alcoholic actor played by Bing Crosby in "The Country Girl" (1954) for which Kelly received the Academy Award for Best Actress, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama in 1955. She reteamed with Hitchcock on the romantic thriller "To Catch a Thief" (1955) opposite Cary Grant. In 1956, she appeared in the romantic comedy "The Swan", and the musical comedy "High Society". Later that year, the 26-year-old Kelly retired from acting to marry Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and become the Princess of Monaco. Grace