Charlène of Monaco is 44 years old: from professional swimmer to married to a Prince – Her incredible transformation
Born on January 25, 1978, Princess Charlene celebrates her 44th birthday. On this occasion, your favorite magazine invites you to rediscover her incredible journey, from the professional swimmer she was to the glamorous princess she has become.
The story of Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Charlene is very reminiscent of fairy tales. Born in Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, Charlène Wittstock married a real prince. Since then, the couple has gone through very difficult times, but also moments of immense happiness.
Charlene Wittstock in 1998 | photo: Getty Images
CHARLENE DE MONACO: PROFESSIONAL SWIMMER
Charlène de Monaco was born in Zimbabwe in 1978. Shortly. After he was born, his family moved to South Africa. Having inherited her passion for swimming from her mother, the future monarch was only 18 when she began her professional career. An excellent swimmer, she won her first championship in 1996.
3 years later, she won 3 gold medals and a silver medal. In 2000, she participated in the Sydney Olympics where she won 5th place in the 4X100 m relay. The same year, she took part in “Mare Nostrum”, a swimming competition performed by Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Tatiana Santo Domingo and Charlene Wittstock | photo: Getty Images
In front of the prince, Charlène, an accomplished swimmer, won two events. Charlene is present at the Turin Games in Italy in 2006 alongside Prince Albert. She managed to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Games, but she did not participate. A year before, the swimming champion had put an end to her international, which does not prevent her from continuing to give swimming lessons.
HIS ROMANCE WITH PRINCE ALBERT
During his first meeting with Charlene in 2000, Prince Albert only stopped seeing her again. A year later, he found him at the Tulip Hotel. She had lunch there with Canadian and Swedish athletes. Without hesitation, the prince approached him and invited him to dine with him in the evening. As she prepares to decline the invitation, Albert makes her understand that he does not accept a negative answer.
Charlene Wittstock in 2001 | photo: Getty Images
During the evening, Albert is charming, full of resources, and makes discover the city of Monaco to the pretty blonde from the top of the balcony of his hotel. The five years that followed this memorable evening, Prince Albert made many round trips between the Rock and Durban. 5 years during which their grandiose love sheltered from the paparazzi.
Charlene Wittstock and Albert of Monaco in 2006 | photo: Getty Images
In February 2006, Charlène Wittstock and her lover decide to reveal their relationship to the whole world. The public and particularly the Monegasques are discovering a happy couple. The lovers finally dare to kiss each other in full view of everyone. Laughter, tenderness and good humor do not leave them. Soon the media began to speculate about a possible marriage.
But the main obligations are never far away. While Charlène slips gently into the skin of a princess by participating in official events, everyone around her is busy making her the perfect princess. Within the reigning family, she was quickly adopted, notably by her future sister-in-law, Princess Caroline of Monaco, who was then the First Lady of the Rock.
Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Charlène Wittstock | photo: Getty Images
PRINCELY WEDDING AND ARRIVAL OF HEIRS
On June 23, 2010, we witnessed a moment of jubilation in Monaco. Charlène Wittstock and Albert II have finally announced their engagement. From now on, the future princess holds an important place in the hearts of the inhabitants of Monaco. The preparations for the princely wedding going well. This is the first marriage of a Monegasque sovereign for 55 years.
Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Charlène Wittstock | photo: Getty Images
On July 1, 2011, the two lovers said yes after 4 days of festivities. To seal their commitment, the couple had the right to a civil ceremony, a religious ceremony, fireworks and many other events. 800 people were present at the wedding banquet.
Charlene Wittstock and Albert II of Monaco | photo: Getty Images
3 years after the celebration of the wedding, on December 10, 2014, Princess Charlene and her husband had the joy of welcoming their children, twins. Hereditary Prince Jacques and his sister Princess Gabriella are 7 years old and already have very different characters.
Prince Albert, who must combine his functions as head of state and his role as the father of a family called Prince Jacques, is quite shy and calm, but he is also an excellent observer. Princess Gabriella on the other hand is extroverted, she goes easily towards people, but she is also very talkative.
Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Charlène Wittstock | photo: Getty Images
SEPARATION AND REUNION
Since the celebration of her wedding, Princess Charlene has invested a lot in charitable works. She has also created a foundation called The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. This aims to teach swimming to children in order to prevent accidental drowning. She also fights for the preservation of rhinos.
The Princess of Monaco is also very involved in other foundations such as the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Monaco Liver Disorder to name a few. She also sits on the board of the Monegasque Red Cross.
Charlene Wittstock | photo: Getty Images
At the beginning of 2021, the princess flew to South Africa for ten days. But his journey unexpectedly extended for several months. Indeed, during his stay, he was given a sinus infection. She had to undergo several ENT procedures which nailed her to South African soil.
Princess Charlene Wittstock | photo: Getty Images
Due to her health problems, she missed her 10th wedding anniversary. And despite the visit of the prince and their children, rumors of marital problems and a possible divorce have continued to swell. However, the couple has never stopped communicating as revealed by Princess Charlene in the columns of People.
Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Charlène Wittstock | photo: Getty Images
Fortunately, after yet another surgery, Princess Charlene was allowed to travel. In November 2021, she was able to return home. She was thus reunited with her two children and her husband. But the state of physical and emotional exhaustion from which the princess suffered forced her to seek treatment in a specialized medical facility.
Prince Albert II of Monaco, his wife Charlène Wittstock and their two children | photo: Getty Images
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