Grace Kelly made a life-altering decision in 1956 when she chose love over fortune, giving up millions and bidding farewell to her flourishing Hollywood career to marry Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
In a fascinating new documentary titled Grace Kelly: The Missing Millions, it is revealed that Kelly had to part ways with $2 million (approximately £1.5 million) to the House of Grimaldi as a dowry, leading her to lose her entire acting wealth.
The documentary delves into the intricacies of the actress’s financial situation, exposing the stark reality that she possessed very little when she passed away in 1982.
Renowned for her roles in iconic films like Rear Window and High Noon, Kelly was the highest-paid actress globally at the time, amassing around $1.5 million over five years, equivalent to roughly $15 million (£10,908,825 million) in today’s currency.
Gemma Godfrey, a key contributor to the documentary, expressed her astonishment at the dowry, stating, “I think the dowry was a shocking thing, to pay $2 million, which in today’s terms would be $20 million.”
This substantial sum not only wiped out Kelly’s savings but also depleted her inheritance, leaving her devoid of financial security and future earning potential.
While dowry customs have been outlawed in several countries due to associated gender-based tragedies, they remain legal in Britain, highlighting the enduring complexities of such traditions.
The serendipitous meeting between Kelly and Prince Rainier took place at the 1955 Cannes Film Festival, where the actress was promoting her movie To Catch a Thief.
Encouraged by the director of Paris Match magazine, Kelly engaged in a staged photo session with the prince, ultimately setting the stage for their fateful romance.
Tracing Kelly’s journey from her formative years in Philadelphia to her untimely demise in 1982, the documentary sheds light on the numerous instances where she was undervalued and inadequately compensated for her contributions to the entertainment industry.
At the time of her passing, Kelly possessed a mere $10,000 and a solitary ancestral home in Ireland, inherited from her grandfather, underscoring the stark disparity between her modest assets and her immense talent and achievements.
Despite her remarkable performances in films like Mogambo and To Catch A Thief, Kelly received meager payments of $750 and $5,000 respectively, while her co-stars commanded significantly higher salaries, exemplifying the systemic inequalities prevalent in the film industry during her era.
Furthermore, the documentary discloses the existence of three wills belonging to Kelly, with one document notably missing and inaccessible to the public, as confirmed by Godfrey, who expressed frustration at the lack of transparency surrounding this crucial matter.
Tragically, Kelly’s life was cut short at the age of 52 when she suffered a fatal stroke while driving from her residence in Roc Agel to Monaco, with her car later discovered at the bottom of a nearby ravine, marking a somber end to her illustrious yet tumultuous journey.
The poignant narrative of Grace Kelly’s extraordinary life story was unveiled in the documentary broadcast on Channel 5 on 27 March, offering viewers a glimpse into the profound sacrifices and challenges faced by the revered actress-turned-princess.
