Princess Stéphanie of Monaco facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Princess Stéphanie of Monaco
Countess of Polignac
Princess Stéphanie in 2013
Born	(1965-02-01) 1 February 1965 (age 60) Prince's Palace, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Spouse	Daniel Ducruet ​ ​ (m. 1995; div. 1996)​ Adans Lopez Peres ​ ​ (m. 2003; div. 2004)​
Issue	Louis Ducruet Pauline Ducruet Camille Gottlieb
Full name Stéphanie Marie Elisabeth Grimaldi
House	Grimaldi
Father	Rainier III, Prince of Monaco
Mother	Grace Kelly

Princess Stéphanie of Monaco (born Stéphanie Marie Elisabeth Grimaldi on 1 February 1965) is a member of the Monegasque royal family. She is the youngest child of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and the famous American actress Grace Kelly. Her older siblings are Albert II, Prince of Monaco, and Caroline, Princess of Hanover. Princess Stéphanie is currently 14th in line to the throne of Monaco. Throughout her life, she has explored different careers, including being a singer, a swimwear designer, and a fashion model.

Early Life and Education

Princess Stéphanie walking with her mother, Princess Grace, in 1969

Stéphanie was born at the Prince's Palace of Monaco on 1 February 1965. She was the third and youngest child of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace. Her older siblings are Caroline and Albert. Her mother, Princess Grace, often called her "wild child" in French, meaning enfant terrible. She described Stéphanie as a "warm, bright, amusing, intelligent and capable girl" and a "good athlete".

On 13 September 1982, Princess Stéphanie and her mother were in a car accident while driving home. Princess Grace sadly passed away the next day. Stéphanie herself suffered a minor neck injury.

After the accident, some rumors spread that Stéphanie was driving the car. She had to miss her mother's funeral because she was recovering. In 1989, Stéphanie spoke publicly about the accident for the first time. She said the rumors were not true. She explained how hard it was to live with people blaming her when she was only 17. She repeated her denial in 2002, sharing the deep sadness she felt from losing her mother and being with her during the accident.

Princess Stéphanie attended school in Monaco and France. She studied classical dance and piano. She also competed in gymnastics and horse riding. She finished her high school education in 1982.

Career Highlights

Fashion and Design

Princess Stéphanie with her family and First Lady Nancy Reagan in 1986.

After recovering from the accident, Stéphanie began working in fashion in 1983. She trained at Christian Dior, a famous fashion house. She also started modeling, appearing on the covers of magazines like German Vogue and American Vanity Fair in 1985. She became the face of a Swiss beauty brand, La Prairie.

In 1986, Stéphanie launched her own swimwear line called Pool Position. Her father and siblings attended the fashion show, which was a big event. She also released her own perfume in 1989. Today, Stéphanie co-owns Replay cafes and stores in Monaco and Barcelona. In December 2008, she was a guest editor for Vogue Paris magazine.

Musical Journey

Stéphanie in 1986

Princess Stéphanie also had a career in music. In 1986, she released her first song, "Ouragan" (meaning "Hurricane"). The English version was called "Irresistible." Both songs became huge international hits, selling millions of copies. Her first album, Besoin, also sold very well. Another successful song was "Flash," or "One Love to Give" in English. In 1987, she released a charity single called "Young Ones Everywhere" to help UNICEF.

She moved to Los Angeles to record a second album. This album, Stéphanie, came out in 1991. It did not sell as well as her first one. She later sang on the song "In the Closet" with Michael Jackson for his album Dangerous. This song was a worldwide hit. Stéphanie was first credited as "Mystery Girl" on the song. She briefly returned to singing in 2006 for a charity song, "L'Or de nos vies".

Helping Others: Philanthropy

Princess Stéphanie is very active in charity work. She is the president of several groups, including the Monaco Youth Centre. She also supports the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo. Her mother founded the World Association of Children's Friends (AMADE), and Stéphanie is now its patron.

In 2003, Stéphanie started her own charity, Women Face the AIDS Association. It became Fight AIDS Monaco in 2004. This organization helps people living with HIV and works to stop the unfair treatment they sometimes face. Since 2006, Stéphanie has been an ambassador for Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). In 2010, she opened the House of Life in France. This center provides support to people with HIV and AIDS and their families. Stéphanie often organizes events like auctions and concerts to raise money for her foundation.

Personal Life

Royal monogram of Princess Stéphanie

Princess Stéphanie has three children. She had two children, Louis Ducruet (born 1992) and Pauline Ducruet (born 1994), with her bodyguard, Daniel Ducruet. They married in 1995, which meant their children were included in the line of succession to the Monegasque throne. They later divorced in 1996.

Her third child, Camille Gottlieb, was born in 1998. Camille's father is Jean Raymond Gottlieb. Because Stéphanie and Camille's father never married, Camille is not in the line of succession to the throne.

Left to right: Prince Albert, Princess Caroline, Camille Gottlieb, Princess Stéphanie in 2018

Stéphanie and her brother Albert (far left) in August 2013

In 2001, Stéphanie lived with elephant trainer Franco Knie and his circus for a time. She later married Portuguese acrobat Adans Lopez Peres in 2003. Their marriage ended in 2004.

Princess Stéphanie is the godmother to her nephew, Andrea Casiraghi, who is the eldest son of her sister Princess Caroline.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Singles

Promotional singles

Featured singles

Honours

Princess Stéphanie has received several special honours:

•  Monaco: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Grimaldi
•  Monaco: Chancellor Recipient of the Monaco Red Cross Medal

See also

In Spanish: Estefanía de Mónaco para niños