Ethel Kennedy, who lost her husband, Robert F. Kennedy, and brother-in-law, President John F. Kennedy, to assassins' bullets, and who channeled her grief into raising her 11 children and pursuing a lifetime of public service, died Thursday. She was 96.
Ethel Kennedy, born Ethel Skakel on April 11, 1928, was an American philanthropist and political figure known for her role in the prominent Kennedy family. She was married to Robert F. Kennedy, the younger brother of President John F. Kennedy, and played a significant part in his political career. Ethel's life has been marked by both personal triumphs and deep tragedies, with a focus on social activism and human rights advocacy.
Early Life and Education
Ethel was born into a wealthy, devoutly Catholic family in Chicago. She was one of seven children of George and Ann Skakel, who built their fortune in the coal industry. Raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, Ethel was surrounded by privilege but also by the values of community service and religious devotion, which would shape her later life. Her father instilled in her a competitive spirit, and she developed a love for sports and outdoor activities at a young age.
Ethel attended the all-girls Greenwich Academy before transferring to The Convent of the Sacred Heart in Manhattan. After completing her secondary education, she enrolled at Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart, where she met her future sister-in-law, Jean Kennedy, the younger sister of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy. This connection would later bring her into the orbit of the Kennedy family, one of the most influential political dynasties in American history.
Marriage to Robert F. Kennedy
Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy met in 1945 when she began dating Robert’s older brother, Joe Kennedy Jr., who tragically died during World War II. After Joe’s death, she and Robert grew closer, eventually marrying on June 17, 1950, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greenwich. The couple went on to have 11 children, making them one of the largest families in American political life.
The Kennedys’ marriage was both passionate and public, marked by their shared love for adventure, competitive sports, and political activism. Ethel became a key figure in Robert’s career, supporting his work as U.S. Attorney General during John F. Kennedy’s presidency, and later as a U.S. Senator from New York.
Ethel was known for her exuberant personality and her dedication to the causes she and her husband championed, including civil rights, social justice, and opposition to organized crime. The Kennedy home, Hickory Hill, in McLean, Virginia, was a hub of political activity, filled with lively debates, social gatherings, and an endless stream of children.
The Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy
One of the most defining and tragic moments in Ethel Kennedy’s life occurred on June 5, 1968, when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination. His death came just five years after the assassination of his brother, President John F. Kennedy, plunging Ethel and the rest of the Kennedy family into another profound loss.
At the time of Robert’s assassination, Ethel was pregnant with their 11th child, Rory. Despite the overwhelming grief, she remained resilient, continuing to raise her children and keep her husband’s legacy alive. In the years following Robert’s death, Ethel became a symbol of strength, embodying the famous Kennedy ethos of public service in the face of personal tragedy.
Philanthropy and Advocacy
After Robert’s death, Ethel dedicated herself to the causes that had been important to him. She established the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial (now the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights), an organization committed to advancing human rights around the world. The foundation promotes social justice by partnering with activists and addressing issues such as mass incarceration, racial inequality, and press freedom. The annual Robert F. Kennedy Book Award and the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards were established to recognize works that reflect the causes and concerns central to Robert’s legacy.
Throughout her life, Ethel has remained an advocate for civil rights, the underprivileged, and the oppressed. She has worked with numerous organizations and continues to inspire many through her commitment to public service. Despite the many hardships she has faced, including the loss of several family members, Ethel has remained steadfast in her dedication to social justice.
Family and Legacy
Ethel Kennedy’s personal life has been marked by both great joy and significant sorrow. In addition to losing her husband, she also endured the deaths of several of her children. Despite these tragedies, she had maintained a close bond with her surviving children, many of whom have followed in the family tradition of public service. Her son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is an environmental lawyer and political activist, while her daughter, Kerry Kennedy, is a human rights activist and president of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights.
Ethel’s legacy is inseparable from the larger Kennedy family narrative. She has been a constant figure in American political life for more than half a century, witnessing and participating in some of the most significant events of the 20th and 21st centuries. While her role as a wife and mother is central to her identity, Ethel Kennedy is also recognized as a force for social change in her own right, advocating tirelessly for justice and human rights.
Ethel Kennedy’s life is a story of resilience, service, and dedication to the ideals of justice and equality. As a matriarch of the Kennedy family, she has weathered unimaginable loss while remaining committed to the causes she and her husband believed in. Her work through the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization continues to influence generations of activists and advocates for social justice around the world. Despite personal tragedies, Ethel Kennedy's legacy as a philanthropist and advocate endures, reflecting her unwavering belief in the power of compassion and action.
Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model
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