Grace Kelly died at 52 in 1982 after suffering from a stroke in Côte d’Azur, France. She was driving with her daughter Stephanie at that moment and lost control of the vehicle, leading to a terrible accident that resulted in her demise the following day.
More than four decades later, Kelly’s personal letters dated between the ‘40s and ‘50s are set to be auctioned soon at Doyle’s Stage & Screen sale. Other items—including Kelly’s portraits, postcards, and other keepsakes—will also be up for bid at the upcoming auction.
Grace Kelly had many suitors
Kelly used to send her letters to her former roommate and personal secretary Prudence Wise Kudner, who kept them all throughout their long-lasting friendship. The late actress and princess used to write about her many suitors—-including fashion designer Oleg Cassini, who designed the dress for her wedding to Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956.
Kelly’s first letter to Kudner was up to eight pages, detailing the breakup between her and one of her suitors, and an ensuing argument with her parents. She also wrote about her encounters with Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, and Clark Gable while filming Mogambo in Africa.
Grace Kelly’s personal effects and letters will go for thousands of dollars
Kelly’s never-seen-before letters have a pre-auction estimate of about $80,000, while sketches of her outfits by designer Edith Head may go for about $8,000. After many visits from suitors, Kelly finally walked down the aisle with Prince Rainer III and asked Kudner to give a detailed account of the event as she pleased.
As auction day approaches, Doyle’s director of rare books, autographs, maps, and photographs department, Peter Costanzo, said he reached out to one of Kelly’s fan clubs about the bid. Interestingly, one of the late icon’s letters contained an account of how she spoke with 15 members of the group during their first anniversary. The letters and other ephemera will be set for the gavel on November 14, at 10 am.