Philippe Junot, the French businessman and former husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco, has died at the age of 85. His passing was announced by his daughter, Victoria, who revealed he died 'peacefully' on January 8, 2026, surrounded by family at his home in Madrid.
A High-Society Life and a Royal Romance
Junot, born into a distinguished French family, was a prominent venture capitalist and property developer. His father, Michel Junot, served as Deputy Mayor of Paris and worked with US President John F. Kennedy. The family lineage traces back to General Junot, who served under Napoleon and is commemorated on the Arc de Triomphe.
Despite his esteemed background, Junot became an international figure primarily through his marriage to Princess Caroline. The couple met in a Parisian nightclub in the late 1970s while Caroline, then 21, was studying at the Sorbonne. Junot was 38, a 17-year age gap that fuelled media fascination. Their jet-set romance, filled with beach holidays and a glamorous lifestyle, quickly captivated royal watchers.
Their relationship faced significant opposition from Caroline's parents, Prince Rainier III and the former Hollywood star Grace Kelly. The royal family was reportedly dismayed by Caroline's rebellious streak and Junot's status as a 'commoner'. A protracted eight-month 'battle of wills' ensued, during which her parents reportedly sent her to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands in an attempt to end the relationship.
The Wedding That Divided Monaco
Ultimately, Caroline's determination prevailed. The couple married in a civil ceremony on June 28, 1978, in Monaco's 16th-century throne room. A religious ceremony followed the next day in the palace chapel, adhering to Roman Catholic tradition. Princess Caroline wore a long Dior gown for the occasion, though reports at the time suggested she was in tears during the vows.
Prince Rainier insisted on a low-key event, a stark contrast to his own lavish wedding to Grace Kelly. All eyes were on the bride's parents and their reaction to the union they had so vehemently opposed. Following the service, the newlyweds embarked on a 'triumphal march' through Monte Carlo before honeymooning in Tahiti.
Life After the Palace
The fairy-tale marriage was short-lived. The couple divorced in October 1980, just over two years later. Reports suggested the split was triggered after Caroline saw photographs of Junot with another woman in America.
Junot later remarried Danish model Nina Wendelboe-Larsen in 1987. They had three children together—Victoria, Isabelle, and Alexis—before separating in 1997. In 2005, he welcomed another daughter, Chloé, with Swedish model Helén Wendel.
Announcing his death on Instagram, his eldest daughter Victoria paid a moving tribute, describing him as a 'true gentleman' and a 'legendary' father. She wrote: 'He departed this side of the world peacefully surrounded by family... What a privilege to have lived by your side.' She alluded to his impeccable style, noting, 'Almost every picture I selected, he’s wearing a suit.'
While his life encompassed business success and family, Philippe Junot will be forever remembered for his brief, controversial, and glittering role at the heart of European royalty during a bygone era of glamour.
