| 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 | 31 May 1923 Prince's Palace of Monaco, Monaco | ||||
| Died | 6 April 2005 (aged 81) Cardiothoracic Centre of Monaco, Monaco | ||||
| Burial | 15 April 2005 Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate, Monaco | ||||
| Spouse | |||||
| Issue | |||||
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| House | Grimaldi | ||||
| Father | Prince Pierre, Duke of Valentinois | ||||
| Mother | Charlotte, Hereditary Princess of Monaco | ||||
| Religion | Roman Catholic | ||||
| Signature |  | ||||
| Education | |||||
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.