Grace's Charitable Work
Princess Grace was the ambassador of Monaco. She dedicated her public life to charities, funds, and awareness to the less fortunate. She was respectful to everyone. She established foundations, hospitals, and orphanages for financial assistance and supplies.
She held charity balls to support her many charity activities. She was named President of the Monaco Red Cross in 1958. Hollywood stars such as Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra and Gregory Peck were regular attendees to the Monaco Red Cross Gala and the Rose Ball. After her marriage, Princess Grace established many charities; she was a genuine humanitarian and philanthropist.
"During Christmas time she would personally distributed “care” packages through the charities' social services branch and under her inspired leadership, the Monaco chapter became one of the most active of all the International Federation of Red Cross Societies."(
Beyond Grace Kelly - Children & Legacy)
That year in September, she opened the Princess Grace Hospital. She would come and visit new mothers in the hospital's maternity ward and patients in the children's ward. She would also come and visit local residents of Monaco's retirement homes. In 1966, Grace established Monaco's first daycare center. Mothers with young children had more free time to earn a career outside of their homes. Grace would visit the children and spend time reading, singing, and playing. She donated toys as well.
"Genuine concern for the welfare of children led to her founding, in 1963, of AMADE – to promote and protect the rights of children from around the world – an important mission that continues today under the presidency of her daughter, The Princess of Hanover.
In 1964, she and Prince Rainier established La Fondation Princesse Grace, which initially supported two activities close to her heart; the Princess Grace Dance Academy, set up to honor her love of dance, and Les Boutiques du Rocher (stores where handcrafts by local artisans are sold), which promotes the arts and crafts of the Monégasque people. The activities of the Foundation, now under the presidency of The Princess of Hanover, now also include providing support to hospitalized children, the modernization of hospitals in developing countries and financial aid for medical research.
Grace’s support for worthwhile causes was not limited to charitable endeavors; indeed her patronage of artistic pursuits is well documented. In 1966, she initiated the International Monte-Carlo Ballets Festival, which is known today as the Spring Arts Festival – an annual gathering of the world’s leading dancers, musicians, and artists who perform to much acclaim in the Principality. In 1968, her love of flowers and gardening resulted in the creation of the Monaco Garden Club, encouraging awareness and education of artistry through plants and flowers as well as the protection of natural sites. The club runs a popular annual international floral competition in the Principality. In 1981, following a renovation which she oversaw, the former Salle des Beaux-Arts was renamed Theatre Princesse Grace."(
Beyond Grace Kelly - Children & Legacy)
When Princess Grace passed away, Prince Rainier and his family established the Princess Grace Foundation - USA in honor of Princess Grace, by assisting young artists with their career goals in the USA. It was to continue her lasting legacy. The foundation has awarded more than 4 million dollars to 400+ young artists and more than 100 institutions nationwide.
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