Alexandre-Athenase Noghès

Who was Alexandre-Athenase Noghès?

Alexandre-Athenase Noghès was an international tennis champion, best known as the first husband of Princess Antoinette of Monaco, whom he married as his second wife in December 1951.

Noghès was descended from the first Spanish commander of the Monaco garrison. His great-grandfather Alexandre was the founder of the Monte Carlo Automobile Club and former general treasurer of Monaco's state finances. His father, Antony, created the first Grand Prix ever raced in a city, the world famous Grand Prix de Monaco. Anthony also created the renowned Rally de Monte Carlo and is credited with inventing the chequered flag.

Noghès entered into a liaison with Princess Antoinette of Monaco in the mid-1940s and three illegitimate children were born to the couple: Elisabeth-Anne, Christian Louis and Christine-Alix. They were married in a civil ceremony in Genoa on 4 December 1951, and divorced three years later in 1954.

Following their divorce, Noghès lived for a time on his yacht before settling in the United States with his third wife, Margot.