OLD FLAME

Princess Caroline of Monaco’s Ex Dies Decades After Age-Gap Marriage

Philippe Junot was best known for his 17-year age-gap marriage with Princess Caroline.

Princess Caroline of Monaco’s first husband has died at the age of 85. French venture capitalist Philippe Junot’s family revealed that he died Thursday. No cause of death was provided for Junot, who was best known for his age gap marriage to Caroline, which ended after two years in divorce. Junot was 36 years old when he began dating the princess, who was 20 years old at the time. Caroline’s parents, the famed American actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco, had initially disapproved of he relationship with the notorious playboy and sent the princess away on a trip to keep them apart. However, the love-stricken couple married in 1978 before divorcing in 1980. They would both later remarry, with Caroline going on to wed two more times. Junot moved on with Nina Wendelboe-Larsen, having three children together before they separated in 1997. His daughter, Victoria, paid tribute to him on Instagram Friday after his death. ”To my legendary Papa, oh how we love you, we will miss you, no adequate words,” she said.