Monaco and the United States of America, a shared history

The relationship between Monaco and the United States has been forged by iconic figures who left their mark on 20th-century history. From Grace Kelly to Jackie Kennedy and Josephine Baker, these American icons forged cultural, human, and symbolic ties with the Principality. Their unique destinies, combining glamour, commitment, and tragedy, have profoundly influenced Monaco's image around the world. Through their journeys, a whole page of Monegasque history is illuminated with an international, elegant, and deeply human dimension.

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III

The Principality and the United States have always had a strong bond, particularly since Prince Rainier III came to power and married Grace Kelly, a film star from Philadelphia who became Princess of Monaco. A true icon of American cinema, she first embarked on an acting career, starring in several Alfred Hitchcock films, including Rear Window. In 1955, she won the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in The Country Girl. That same year, she met her future husband at the Cannes Film Festival, and they married in Monaco in 1956. Together they had three children: Princess Caroline, Prince Albert, and Princess Stéphanie. A fashion and film icon, Princess Grace left her mark on generations.

Her almost unreal beauty and her romance with Prince Rainier set many hearts aflutter. Born into Philadelphia's upper middle class, Grace Kelly was a young actress transformed into a princess, embodying the 20th-century American dream in the Principality.

Nowadays, many places and institutions bear her name, including an entire avenue, Avenue Princess Grace, where prestigious residences such as La Réserve, 21 Princess Grace, Le Formentor, L'Estoril, Le Palais de la Plage, Le Bahia, and Le Roccabella are located, as well as the entrance to the new eco-neighborhood of Mareterra, already renowned and in high demand.

^{Princess Grace Kelly}

^{Photo credit : L’Observateur de Monaco}

Jackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis

Jackie Kennedy, born Jacqueline Bouvier in 1929, became one of the most iconic figures in the United States. Born into a wealthy family and blessed with a brilliant international education, she embodied elegance, culture, and distinction from an early age. Her impeccable style, modern, almost regal appearance, and intelligence quickly made her a global fashion icon, admired far beyond political circles.

Her marriage to John F. Kennedy in 1953 propelled her into the heart of American public life. When JFK was elected in 1960, she became one of the youngest First Ladies in history and the most scrutinized figure in the country. Her modernization of the White House's image, her discreet charisma, and her timeless style shaped her legend. Her dramatic life story transformed her image into that of a tragic and courageous figure, making her a global icon and symbol of the United States around the world.

In 1968, she married Aristotle Onassis, the controversial Greek billionaire and one of the most powerful men in the world at the time, who had built his fortune as a shipowner. They had met in 1963 on a cruise on his yacht, and he had already had an affair with her sister Lee. With this marriage, Jackie became “Jackie O” and entered a world of European luxury, dividing her time between Greece and France.

The story of Jackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis is part of the same international dynamic that connects Monaco and the United States. Jackie, like Grace Kelly, is an American icon whose image influences Europe. Onassis, a global magnate, had close ties to Monaco, taking control of a large part of the Société des Bains de Mer de Monte-Carlo in the 1950s and 1960s. Thus, the union between Jackie (a symbol of the United States) and Onassis (a major player in Monaco's economic history) represents a powerful intersection between American influence and Monegasque interests.

The figures of Jackie and Grace, both American and married to powerful European men (one a prince, the other a billionaire), embody this cultural, media, and symbolic connection between Monaco and the United States.

^{Wedding of Jackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis}

^{Photo credit : Paris Match}

Joséphine Baker

This is undoubtedly one of the most moving chapters in the history of the French Riviera during the 20th century. Respect, admiration, brotherhood... In a word: friendship. This was undoubtedly the main driving force behind Josephine Baker's unexpected destiny in the Principality. In 1969, when Princess Grace of Monaco decided to reach out to her, the artist and resistance fighter was going through a real ordeal with her 12 children. Ruined and in debt, Josephine Baker had just been evicted from the Château des Milandes. It was at this point that the “Black Venus” arrived on the Rock, following an invitation from producer André Levasseur. He offered her the chance to perform at the traditional Monegasque Red Cross Gala.

On the evening of July 25, 1969, Josephine Baker took to the stage in Monte Carlo in front of the royal couple. For Princess Grace of Monaco, it was the perfect opportunity to show her admiration.

Josephine Baker's stay in Monaco, which was supposed to last only a few days, ultimately lasted six years. With the help of the Monegasque Red Cross, Princess Grace allowed the famous singer to settle in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, in the Villa Maryvonne. It was an unexpected refuge for the “rainbow tribe” that had been driven from the Château des Milandes. From 1969 until her death in 1975, Josephine Baker lived on the outskirts of the Principality, with the support of the royal couple.

In 1975, she finally decided to return to the Paris stage with “Joséphine.” In this new show, originally staged in the Principality, the queen of music hall brought her incredible life to the stage. On this occasion, she did not fail to pay tribute to her new adopted country. “Monte Carlo, a springtime overlooking the sea, a ring on the waves, a sapphire in an open heart,” sang Josephine Baker. The song was Monte Carlo, a title borrowed from the repertoire of the artist couple.

Shocked by this sudden death, France held a state funeral and military ceremony in Paris, at the Madeleine Church, attended by Princess Grace. The artist's body was then transported to Monaco, where he was laid to rest.

Forty-six years later, on November 30, 2021, Josephine Baker became the first Black woman to be inducted into the Pantheon. A few days earlier, Monaco paid her a national tribute in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II. The Sovereign described the woman he knew as a child, evoking a woman who was "warm, very gentle (...) who had a great love of life (...) A very great lady, whether as an artist, a member of the Resistance, or a personality of the 20th century. " Proof of the eternal ties between the Baker family and the Principality. As for the tomb that entered the Pantheon, it contains a handful of soil taken from the Rock.

Prince Rainier III, Joséphine Baker, and Princesse Grace Kelly

Photo credit : Radio Monaco

A prestigious living environment reminiscent of certain American cities

Neighborhoods and their similarities

Larvotto is reminiscent of Miami with its long beaches lined with modern residences. In this neighborhood, you will find many iconic residences, such as the older ones like Columbia Palace, Emilie Palace, Estoril, Formentor, La Réserve, and Vallespir, or more recent ones like Roccabella, Les Résidences du Sporting, Palais de la Plage, Bay House, and many other residences with varied architectural styles. In addition, this neighborhood is close to the new extension on the sea: the Mareterra neighborhood.

The Carré d'Or, meanwhile, is reminiscent of Central Park, with its towers surrounding a magnificent park filled with huge trees. It is a dynamic neighborhood home to prestigious residences, some of which have retained the charm of the Belle Époque, such as the Ambassador, the Flor Palace II, the Riviera Palace, the Rose de France, the Villa de Rome, the Villa Hermosa, and the iconic Métropole. Others are more iconic, such as Buckingham Palace, Park Palace, Les Floralies, Millefiori, Mirabeau, Les Acanthes, Grande Bretagne, Montaigne, and Roqueville. Finally, some are more recent, such as the 26 Carré d'Or, the One Monte Carlo, the Fairmont, and the Sun Tower. Many other residences are located in this district, in the heart of the Principality, where all the most luxurious and iconic boutiques are located.

Finally, La Condamine has retained its historic character with its charming traditional houses, much like the city of Charleston in South Carolina. In this historic district of the Principality, you will find residences in Port Hercule such as the Ruscino, the Caravelles, the Palais Heracles, Shangri-La, and on Rue Grimaldi, such as 45G and Panorama. A little further away from the hustle and bustle of the port, you will find Suffren, Stella, Soleil d'Or, Zodiaque, and many other residences.

Safety in Monaco

Considered one of the safest places in the world, with one of the lowest crime rates globally, the Principality has a strong police presence and extensive surveillance, with around 600 police officers for 38,423 inhabitants in 2024 and more than 1,000 CCTV cameras covering its 2 sqm.

Proximity to all European capitals

Living in Monaco, you can enjoy direct connections to all European capitals from Nice International Airport, located just 30 minutes away by car or 7 minutes by helicopter thanks to Monaco's heliport.

Take a weekend trip to Rome or a quick getaway to Barcelona in just one hour by plane. Fancy a break in London or Vienna? It's about a two-hour flight.

The quality of teaching

With 13 schools within this 2km radius, education in Monaco is one of the government's priorities:

• 2 private schools: FANB Institution and Cours Saint-Maur offering a curriculum ranging from kindergarten to high school
• 2 international schools: International School of Monaco (ISM) from kindergarten and British School of Monaco from elementary school to A-levels.

In terms of higher education, Monaco has three schools:

• International University of Monaco (IUM): Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees in management, finance, and luxury goods, taught entirely in English.
• Ecole Supérieure d’Arts Plastiques (ESAP): Managed by the City Council and awards art degrees.
• Institut de Formation en Soins Infirmiers (IFSI): Preparatory course for the state nursing degree.

The advantages of moving to Monaco

Monaco is a country where English is widely spoken, and all institutions are bilingual at a minimum.

Would you like to become a resident? Obtaining residency is subject to certain conditions, including having an apartment in Monaco (rented or purchased) that meets the needs of the family, particularly in terms of size, and providing proof of sufficient resources.

The absence of inheritance tax is one of the many advantages of living in the Principality. You will only have to pay the notary's transfer fees based on the value of the property, but no tax.

“Inheritance tax between more distant relatives remains limited (8 to 13%) and is 16% between third parties.“

If you are looking to invest or secure your assets, our Monte-Carlo Sotheby’s International Realty agency will assist you and put you in touch with the best lawyers and professionals in Monaco.

Published the 25/11/2025