Undercover Facts About Charlene of Monaco, The Sad Princess
Charlene Wittstock had no clue that her days as an Olympic athlete would one day lead her to her royal destiny. Unfortunately, being a princess isn't always what it seems, and the rumors about her are nothing short of scandalous.
From chilling family curses to her horrific wedding day, Charlene of Monaco has a story tailor-made for tragedy.
1. Her Destiny Sparkled
Born on January 25, 1978, Charlene Wittstock was a far cry from becoming a princess. Her parents, Michael and Lynette Wittstock, a sales manager and swimming coach respectively, raised Charlene and her two younger brothers in the city of Bulawayo. This might sound like the standard white picket fence scenario, but little Charlene was destined to tread a remarkable path.
2. Her Life Changed Forever
When Charlene was 12 years old, a huge change rocked her world: Her parents uprooted their family and moved to South Africa. It was at this time she developed an interest in competitive swimming. Her mother, a former competitive swimmer herself, coached Charlene in the ways of the athletically gifted. Charlene gave her entire heart to competitive swimming—and it paid off big time.
3. She Was A Champion
In 1996, at the age of 18, Charlene won the national championship in swimming. But that was only the beginning. She reached the podium again in 1999, picking up a whopping three gold medals and a silver at the All-Africa Games in Johannesburg. However, her greatest accolades were yet to come—both professionally and romantically.
4. She Was Oblivious
The year 2000 changed the course of Charlene's life forever. To her delight, she earned a spot on the South African Summer Olympic team. With several championships under her belt, she became laser-focused on her Olympic debut in Sydney, Australia. Preoccupied with her work, she could never have foreseen that a royal romance lay just around the corner.
