Charlene Wittstock
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Charlene Lynette Wittstock | |
| Born | January 25, 1978  Bulawayo, Rhodesia |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Swimmer and model |
| Parents | Mike and Lynette Wittstock |
Charlene Lynette Wittstock (born 25 January 1978, Bulawayo, Rhodesia) is a South African Olympic backstroke swimmer and Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, who received celebrity status with her power by association while she was accompanying Albert II, Prince of Monaco at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics. This fueled speculations that she could be the latest companion of the Prince, and a potential future Princess of Monaco. Thus the couple have been romantically linked since February 2006.
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[edit] Swimming career
She was a member of the women's 4×100 m medley South African team at the 2000 Summer Olympics, which finished fifth. She finished sixth at the 2002 FINA Short Course World Championships for the 200 m breaststroke. In 2005 she swam for University of Pretoria[1] On 13 April 2007 Wittstock regained her title as South Africa’s 50 m women’s backstroke champion when she completed the 50 m backstroke final at the Telkom SA National Aquatic Championships in 30:16 seconds, to finish third behind Australia’s Sophie Edington and Brazil’s Fabiola Molina. She has won several national titles over the years and plans to compete in the 2008 Olympic games in China, which she says would be her swansong.[2] Previously she had been out of competitive swimming for 18 months with a shoulder injury. Wittstock said she would be swimming in Europe in the near future, hoping to better her times. "I have a year left of competitive swimming, and I just want to be the best I can be in that time. After that I want to get involved in charity work, and development work with athlete's commissions."[2]
[edit] Relationship
With an initial meeting in 2001 in Monaco, and after appearing at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics they were seen again together at the 2006 Monaco Grand Prix and Monaco's Red Cross Ball in August 2006. Recently she has accompanied Prince Albert at several high-level establishment events, including the Princess Grace Awards Gala in New York in October 2007. She accompanied Prince Albert to the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final where her country triumphed and to the 2007 Monaco Grand Prix. The prince once said "the woman of my life will have to resemble my mother", and Wittstock a tall, willowy, blue-eyed blond, often wears her hair upswept in the same chic chignons beloved by the late star of such Hollywood hits as High Society. Speculation is that Prince Albert might have meant in spirit more than in looks. Recent photographs show Wittstock in more restrained dress style and she has started to be seen in the company of the Prince's eldest sister Princess Caroline and her husband. Although without confirmation and against larger public opinion, the March 2008 edition of French magazine Point de Vue stated solely on heresay and conjecture from no official source they can quote or reference that plans are being made for the marriage of Charlene with Prince Albert in Monaco this summer.[3] However, this has been denied by Wittstock's parents and the Monaco Palace.[4] Charlene's most recent appearance at the prominent Rose Ball shows her continued closeness with the Princely Family of Monaco, the Grimaldis.
Likewise she was again with the Prince at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
[edit] Wedding rumours
In the last two years there have been rumours now and then that Prince Albert of Monaco is to marry Charlene Wittstock, his longtime girlfriend. The prince and Miss Wittstock do appear together at several social affairs.
[edit] External links
- (French) Mariage en vue sur le célèbre Rocher
- Charlene Lynette Wittstock pictures
- A royal wedding on the way?
- Charlene Wittstock helps to fight aids… in Monaco
- Va Va Va Vroom: Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock at Monaco Grand Prix
- Charlene joins Albert for the racing action at Monte Carlo
- The other South African royal girlfriend makes a splashy return
- Apple of Prince Albert's eye makes a splash
- Charlene back at Albert's side for sporting date
- CHARLENE WITTSTOCK
- Upsets at KZN aquatic champs
- Charlene WITTSTOCK
