Prince Albert Opens Up About Grace Kelly's Tragic Death And Its Lasting Impact

It’s been nearly 35 years since the world lost Grace Kelly, the Hollywood legend turned royal icon. Recently, her son, Prince Albert II of Monaco, sat down with Graham Bensinger to share how the royal family has navigated life after her tragic passing. Grace Kelly, as most know, was one of the brightest stars in Hollywood history, gracing the screen in iconic films like Rear Window, To Catch a Thief, and her Oscar-winning role in The Country Girl. But in 1956, she left the glitz of Tinseltown behind to become Princess of Monaco by marrying Prince Rainier III.

Her life was cut tragically short in 1982 when she suffered a stroke while driving with her youngest daughter, Princess Stephanie, in the car. The accident left Stephanie, who was just 17 at the time, with severe injuries, including broken ribs, multiple cervical fractures, and a shattered collarbone. During the interview, Prince Albert recounted the devastating moment when his father informed him of the accident. “He told us we had to go to the hospital because mom and Stephanie had been in an accident,” Albert recalled.

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier’s family.

Read also:

Sunny Hostins Dream Home A Glimpse Inside Her Stunning New York Mansion

Albert remembered the overwhelming emotions of that day. “I didn’t think twice and went down to the hospital with him, along with my sister, Princess Caroline,” he said. “It was a moment of complete shock—your mind races, but you hope for the best. You think the accident isn’t as bad as it seems. Those few hours were incredibly tense and emotional. It wasn’t until later that evening that we realized the outcome wasn’t going to be favorable.”

Albert also opened up about the deep emotional scars left on his sister Stephanie, who struggled with guilt over not being able to save their mother. “It took her a very long time to recover from that accident,” Albert explained. “For years, she carried the pain of being in that car with our mom and not being able to help her. She was injured too, but the trauma of the experience was something she had to process over time. It’s something that would be difficult for anyone to endure.”

For Albert, the healing process involved leaning on his family and close friends. However, it took years to truly come to terms with the loss. “You rely on those around you—your family, your friends, the people who mean the most to you—to get through something like that,” he said. “It’s a long journey, and it’s not something you fully process overnight.”

Albert also revealed that his father, Prince Rainier, was never the same after losing Grace. “It was clear that he was deeply affected by the accident,” Albert admitted. “He just wasn’t the same man he was before. Losing someone you love changes you forever.”

Prince Albert made headlines last year when he purchased his mother’s childhood home in East Falls, Pennsylvania. He spoke about the decision, explaining, “It felt really good to save this old family home from being demolished or developed. We’re still figuring out what we’ll do with it, but we’re considering turning part of it into a museum or using it for our foundation’s work.”

Prince Albert with his wife, Princess Charlene.

Read also:

Hollywoods Beloved Stars Remembering Those Weve Lost In 2025

The home where Grace Kelly grew up was a six-bedroom property she lived in until her engagement