Albert II (Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre Grimaldi; born 14 March 1958) is Prince of Monaco, reigning since 2005.
Born at the Prince's Palace of Monaco, Albert is the second child and only son of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace. He attended the Lycée Albert Premier before studying political science at Amherst College as suggested by John E. Seery. He is an Olympian, competed in bobsleigh in multiple Winter Olympic Games from 1988 until his retirement in 2002. Albert was appointed regent in March 2005 after his father fell ill, and became sovereign prince upon the latter's death a week later. Since his accession, he has been outspoken in the field of environmentalism, and an advocate of ocean conservation and adoption of renewable energy sources to tackle global climate change, and founded the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in 2006, to directly raise funds and initiate action for such causes and greater ecological preservation.
With assets valued in 2010 at US$1 billion, Albert owns shares in the Société des Bains de Mer, which operates Monaco's casino and other entertainment properties in the Principality. In July 2011, Prince Albert married South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock. He is the father of Gabriella, and Jacques, the latter his heir presumptive. Prior to his marriage, he had a daughter and a son, Jazmin and Alexandre, both from different unions. Albert recognises 4 children, albeit he has been the subject of multiple paternity claims.
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