Quotes from Princess Stephanie of Monaco

The circus was born with animals, horses at the start. This is part of our cultural heritage. It's a whole, with clowns and acrobats.

I want to keep fit. I don't want to become a wreck.

It's hard growing up in the limelight. People invent stories. They call me a man-eater. An innocent date with a friend becomes a major scandal.

The truth is that I'm a very down-to-earth person. I've been called a brat but that's an insult to my parents. They didn't raise a brat. I'm not an immature, insensitive person.

My relationship with Pauline is special. She knows I will always be there to hold her hand. We have the same expressions and gestures. I tell her sometimes, 'you are my mini me.'

My all-time hero is Tina Turner. Her energy, her attitude, her shows. She's just a great performer.

I got sick of modeling and I was afraid of getting overexposed.

I just want to be an ordinary girl.

I don't have the desires of a spoiled child. I never did.

I've been in the spotlight since the day I was born.

Not all circus animals are unhappy.

I don't live the life of a star.

We try never to have pictures of our children in the magazines, because there are strange people out there. But the paparazzi try to steal pictures.

I'm just a normal person made of flesh and blood like anybody.

I've had an unusual career path for a princess.

I'm quite happy to perform my official duties. But on the other hand, I've always wanted to be independent and to have my own career.

Every mother in the world knows this feeling one day... of emptiness, a time comes where you feel a little less useful because you're no longer running left and right. Life no longer has the same rhythm.

When you do something in your life and you know it's going to work, you have to be optimistic.

You have to help people who are living with AIDS. Help them to live as dignified a life as they can.

I never thought I could sing, but apparently I can.

I used to love playing paper dolls with my mother - she would cut them out and I would dress the dolls.

Asian elephants have always worked with people and they like company.