Princess Stéphanie of Monaco’s ex-boyfriend found dead

The ex-boyfriend of Princess Stephanie of Monaco, sister of reigning Prince Albert II of Monaco, has been found dead in a villa in the Dominican Republic.

Former Los Angeles nightclub model and owner Mario Oliver, 71, was apparently asphyxiated by burglars at a home in LAs Terrenas, after breaking into the property’s safe and stealing valuable Rolex watches, Deadline reports.

According to local media, he died of head trauma and manual compression of the neck.

The French entrepreneur enjoyed success in his home country, where he worked as a model, and became a fixture on the Paris nightclub scene, whether he worked at the door or as a DJ.

When he moved to LA in 1981, where he ran the nightclubs The Gate and Vertigo while running restaurants Tryst, Le Petit Four and Linq, he met Princess Stephanie, then 22, and they quickly became a power couple.

Known as “a prince of the West Coast nightclub circuit,” the pair were apparently introduced by a member of the paparazzi who asked her to pose with Oliver, who was divorced and 13 years her senior.

Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, sister of reigning Prince Albert II of Monaco, was left in horror after her ex-boyfriend was found dead in a villa in the Dominican Republic (Photo: Princess Stéphanie (right) and former partner Mario Oliver (left)) in Paris)

The French entrepreneur, who had a romantic relationship with Princess Stéphanie, was known for his luscious blonde locks, auburn eyes, radiant smile and good looks (Picture: Princess Stephanie of Monaco with her then-boyfriend Mario Oliver)

Mario is depicted on a boat sipping a cup while on vacation. Apparently he was choked to death by burglars

The jet-setting businessman enjoyed success in France before moving to Los Angels in 1981, where he ran nightclubs The Gate and Vertigo while running restaurants Tryst, Le Petit Four, Linq (Photo: Mario Oliver)

When Mario Oliver was 35 and working in LA in the 80s, he ran into the glamorous princess, who was only 22 years old (Photo: Princess Stéphanie and Mario Oliver in 1987)

At the time, she was in a relationship with Rob Lowe and enjoyed the rich fruits of success in music, having released her first and second singles Ouragan and Flash in 1986.

As soon as she saw her future partner, she reportedly said the words: “I saw him and it just happened between us.”

Mario had a reputation for being kind, handsome and irresistible to women.

A 1987 Los Angeles Times article described him as having “continental charm, graceful manner and boyish sexuality.”

When the pair met, the young princess was dating Rob Lowe while enjoying the rich fruits of her success in the music industry (Pictured: Princess Stéphanie leaned her head against her then-partner Mario Oliver)

As soon as she saw her future partner, she reportedly said the words: ‘I saw him and it just happened between us’ (Pictured: The two became intimate in Tenerife in 1987)

Oliver has cultivated the image of drinking champagne instead of wine, flying first-class instead of coach, and having the most beautiful woman in the room on his arm. From clothes to culture to girlfriends, he always seems to be in charge. As a friend, David Gothard, explains, “Mario was born trendy.”

Later in their relationship, the two moved into a house in Beverley Hills, where they had a swimming pool and three puppies.

When they were still dating Princess Stéphanie told the LA Times: “I live a normal life, not the life of a star… Our favorite thing to do is lie in the sun, see our friends, like normal people, and then have a barbecue at home. We have our very good friends, and that’s it.’

Princess Stephanie of Monaco (center) appears on the balcony of the palace during Monaco’s National Day in 2021

Prince Albert’s sister has three children, two of whom – Pauline and Louis – had with Mr Ducruet (Photo: Princess Stephanie of Monaco and her daughter Pauline Ducruet attend the Alter Womenswear)

Nevertheless, the two liked to spend their free time with the big and good, including when they were spotted going to the French Open in 1987.

The young princess was pictured letting her thick dark hair rest on Mario’s shoulder while the French model donned an immaculate denim jacket with oversized and stylish sunglasses.

After a year the relationship broke down, and Princess Stéphanie married and later married her bodyguard Daniel Ducruet.

Her father was appalled at her daughter’s new partner choice and did not agree to their marriage, reported the Telegraph in 2001.

And a year after their marriage, images emerged of Mr Ducruet flirting and dancing with that one Miss Bare Breasts of Belgium.

Prince Albert’s sister has three children, two of whom – Pauline and Louis – had with Mr. Ducruet.

She later gave birth to Camille Gottlieb, who was born in Monte Carlo in 1998.

After Mario Oliver divorced his ex-partner, he continued to climb the social ladder in California.

However, he was twice divorced and was arrested in 1982 on suspicion of raping a 19-year-old girl, before agreeing to sexual battery charges in a plea deal.

After his death, his business partner Jim Colachis told the Daily Beast: “Mario loved the spotlight. He was a great person, a great showman, a great partner, a great father.”