Grace Kelly Had To Make Some Uncomfortable Moves To Marry Into Royalty

When Grace Kelly married into royalty, it felt like a long overdue acknowledgment of what the world already knew: she was, inside and out, the ideal princess. But take away the perfect curls, the custom-made ball gowns, and the mock-British accent, and you get a girl from Philadelphia who had big dreams of making it in Hollywood — Dreams that, for a while, seemed like they would never come true.

Parental disapproval

Grace Kelly always wanted to be an actress, a dream her parents didn’t exactly support. Rumor has it that her father, John, thought the acting profession was merely a “slim cut above streetwalker.” 

Hollywood credentials

Acting, however, was actually in Grace’s blood: her Uncle Walter was a vaudeville star and her other uncle, George, was a Pulitzer Prize-winning screenwriter. Why did Grace’s father detest acting so much when it was already in his family? 

Lots of talent

Grace came from a wealthy and influential family, in part because of her parents’ athletic accomplishments. John won three Olympic gold medals, and Grace’s mother, Margaret, taught athletics at the University of Pennsylvania. So much talent in one family!

Olympic medalist

The athleticism in the family didn’t end with Grace’s parents. Her brother, John Jr., competed as a rower in four Olympic games and even won a bronze medal in 1956. He ended up giving his medal to Grace as a wedding present!