Rainier III, Prince of Monaco

Rainier III
Rainier III in 1961
Prince of Monaco
Reign	9 May 1949 – 6 April 2005
Predecessor	Louis II
Successor	Albert II
Regent	Albert (2005)
Born	(1923-05-31)31 May 1923 Prince's Palace of Monaco, Monaco
Died	6 April 2005(2005-04-06) (aged 81) Cardiothoracic Centre of Monaco, Monaco
Burial	15 April 2005 Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate, Monaco
Spouse	Grace Kelly ​ ​ (m. 1956; died 1982)​
Issue	Caroline, Princess of Hanover Albert II, Prince of Monaco Princess Stéphanie
Names Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi
House	Grimaldi
Father	Prince Pierre, Duke of Valentinois
Mother	Charlotte, Hereditary Princess of Monaco
Religion	Roman Catholic
Signature
Education	University of Montpellier Sciences Po

Rainier III (Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi;^[1] 31 May 1923 – 6 April 2005) was Prince of Monaco from 1949 to his death in 2005. Rainier ruled the Principality of Monaco for almost 56 years.

Rainier was born at the Prince's Palace of Monaco, the only son of Hereditary Princess Charlotte and Prince Pierre. During his reign, he was responsible for the transformation of Monaco's economy, shifting from its traditional casino gambling base to its current status as a tax haven and cultural destination. The Prince also coordinated the substantial reforms of Monaco's constitution, which limited the powers of sovereign rule.

Rainier married American film star Grace Kelly in 1956, which generated global media attention. They had three children: Caroline, Albert and Stéphanie. Rainier died in April 2005 from complications relating to a lung infection as a result of frequent smoking; he was succeeded by his son, Albert II.