Tuesday 14th September 1982

Princess Grace of Monaco (52), also known Grace Kelly, died of injuries sustained in a car crash. Her Rover P6 3500 V8 plunged down a 45-foot embankment after the Princess suffered a stroke and lost control of the vehicle. Known as America’s princess, Kelly’s life had been a true fairy tale. She was born into a rich Irish Catholic family in Philadelphia where she attended private schools before enrolling in the Academy of Dramatic Art in New York. She soon rose to stardom both on Broadway and in Hollywood, winning the public’s affection in such films as Rear Window and The Country Girl. However, she abandoned her acting career in order to marry Prince Rainier of Monaco, making her a real-life princess.