To wrap up my week on style icons I'm going to talk about the lovely Grace Kelly.  She was beautiful and indeed graceful, and was the epitome of class and elegance.  Rumor has it that it was her weddng dress that was the inspiration for Kate Middleton's wedding dress, and I can certainly see the similarities.

Grace Kelly became a popular actress in the 1950s starring in movies such as Dial M for Murder, To Catch a Thief and the Swan.  And who could forget her in the movie High Society with Bing Crosby, one of my personal favorites? 

She was born on November 12, 1929 in Philadelphia.  Her parents were both accomplished in their own way and her father was a self-made millionaire.  The young Ms. Kelly expressed a deep love of performance at a young age, and after high school she decided to pursue an acting career in New York City despite her parents' objections. 

She was discovered by Gary Cooper on the set of her first film, Fourteen Hours (1951) when she was 22 years old.  He arranged for her to play his young wife in High Noon (1952) that put her on the path to stardom.  The movie Mogambo with Clark Gable marked a turning point in her career when she was nominated for her first Academy Award.

At the height of her career in 1955 she met Prince Rainier III of Monaco, who happened to be seeking a bride.  Within a year, their wedding date was set!  After marrying the Prince on April 19, 1956, in a very public ceremony, she abandoned her acting career in order to become Princess Consort of Monaco.  She was also required to give up her American citizenship, and Prince Rainier banned her films in Monaco.

The Royal couple had 3 children:  Princess Caroline, Prince Albert, and Princess Stephanie.  Despite many attempts by filmakers to lure Princess Grace back into the film industry, she resisted, embracing her role as a leader of Monaco. 

Tragedy struck on September 14, 1982, when Princess Grace and her younger daughter were driving along the steep cliffs of the Cote d'Azur region of Southern France.  She suffered a stroke and lost control of the vehicle, which spun off the cliff's edge and plunged down a 45-foot embankment.  Mother and daughter were rushed to a hospital where Princess Grace spent 24 hours in a coma before passing away at the age of 52.  Priness Stephanie survived with minor injuries.

She will be remembered for her on-screen beauty, self-confidence, style and grace.  When you watch her on the screen you cannot help but be mesmerized.  Here's to the amazing Grace....