Born the sole heir to the throne of the tiny French nation of Monaco, Prince Rainier lived his life by duty. The son of Charlotte Grimaldi, the illegitimate daughter of Monaco's Prince Louis, Rainier was the aging Monarch's only grandson and was therefore invested as his heir. He knew the constraints of duty immediately - as he was sole heir, he could not abdicate his throne for any reason, as there was no-one else to take it over. By law, Monaco must have a male Grimaldi as ruler, or the principality reverts to the ownership of France. While still a young man, Rainier was forced to break off plans to marry his girlfriend after tests showed she was infertile. While he cared for her, Monaco had to have an heir. He soon became known as the wealthiest bachelor in the world, and for a short time even Marilyn Monroe was considered for his bride. Instead, he wed famous film star Grace Kelly in what was termed "the Wedding of the Century". A year later the new Princess Grace gave birth to their first child, daughter Princess Caroline of Monaco. A year after this event came the birth of their son and heir Prince Albert of Monaco, Marquis of Baux. A few years later Princess Stephanie of Monaco arrived to round out the family. After the tragic death of Princess Grace in a car accident, Princess Caroline took on her mother's role as Monaco's unofficial First Lady. Caroline has three children (Andrea, Pierre, and Charlotte) by her second husband, Stephano Casiraghi (who died in a speed-boat accident) and a daughter (Princess Alexandra) by her third husband, Prince Ernst of Hannover. Princess Stephanie has two children by her short-lived marriage to bodyguard Daniel Ducruet and an illegitimate daughter, Camille. Prince Albert remained unmarried, and seemingly inherited his father's former title as the most eligible Prince in the world. Rainer had many health problems in later life, and died in hospital on April 5th 2005 following a long illness, at the age of 81. Following his state funeral, attended by many world dignitaries and royalty, his son formally succeeded him as Prince Albert II of Monaco.


Seventh grandchild born. [1999] Succeeded his grandfather Louis Grimaldi (Prince Louis II). Rainier's mother, Princess Charlotte, renounced her rights to succession so that he could come to the throne. [9 May 1949] Monegasque by nationality but is French, Italian, and Scottish by genealogy. Drew up Monaco's latest constitution (1962), significantly reducing the power of the sovereign, ending autocratic rule, and placing power with the prince and a National Council of eighteen elected members. Died three days after the death of Pope John Paul II, the ruler of the world's smallest independent nation, the Vatican City. Monaco is the second smallest independent nation in the world. Had a tumor removed from his lung on February 2nd 2000. Grandfather of Jazmin Grace Grimaldi & Alexandre Coste.