Grace Buckingham is the mother of Zoe Buckingham, a model, and Paris Buckingham, a social worker and philanthropist; both daughters have been in the employ of design house Forrester Creations. Grace's ex-husband is Reese Buckingham, a doctor who stole the newborn of Hope Logan and sold it to Steffy Forrester to pay off gambling debts and protect Zoe from threatening thugs. Grace, a doctor herself, moved to Los Angeles to be with Paris and continue her medical career. Grace excitedly met Paris' boyfriend, Zende Forrester-Dominguez, of whom Paris couldn't say enough, but became confused when Paris revealed that she had transitioned to a non-exclusive relationship with Zende because she wasn't ready for marriage. Grace, who thought Zende was perfect for Paris, was none too pleased to walk in on Paris kissing Zoe's former fiancé, Carter Walton.

Grace didn't want Carter to hurt another one of her daughters and threatened to tell Carter's superiors, the Forresters, that Carter was carrying on with Paris. Thinking she had handled the situation, Grace was stunned when she caught Carter and Paris in the afterglow of lovemaking. Despite Paris' professions of love for Carter, Grace demanded that Paris accept should Zende propose marriage to her. Grace was unhappy when Paris instead broke things off with Zende completely and declared she would have Carter; Grace continued to push Paris toward Zende anyway. When Grace again caught Carter kissing Paris, Grace reported Carter to his place of employ for misconduct.

Grace was further peeved when Paris announced her sudden engagement to Carter; Grace attended the wedding, only to witness Carter leaving Paris at the altar in favor of his former lover, Quinn Fuller, who had just left her husband, Eric Forrester. Grace comforted Paris and was pleased when Zende did so as well.