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Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert F. Kennedy and a pillar of American political history, died Thursday following complications from a stroke she suffered last week. Her passing marks the end of an era for one of America's most prominent political dynasties.
Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III announced his grandmother's death, noting her devotion to Catholicism and social justice. "Along with a lifetime's work in social justice and human rights, our mother leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren," as he reported.
Days before her death, her daughter Kerry Kennedy had revealed the 96-year-old's hospitalization, emphasizing that Ethel remained "comfortable" and surrounded by family. "Every day she enjoyed time with her children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren," Kerry shared, painting a picture of Ethel's final months.
Born Ethel Skakel in Chicago on April 11, 1928, she met Robert F. Kennedy during a 1945 ski trip in Quebec. Their 1950 marriage launched a partnership that would shape American politics, with Robert serving as U.S. Attorney General during his brother John F. Kennedy's presidency.
Tragedy struck repeatedly throughout Ethel's life. Her parents died in a 1955 plane crash, and her husband was assassinated in 1968 during his presidential campaign. She later lost two sons: David to a drug overdose in 1984 and Michael in a 1997 skiing accident.
Despite these losses, Ethel remained resilient. She founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2014 for her advocacy work.
In recent years, Ethel made headlines opposing the parole of her husband's assassin, Sirhan Sirhan. "Our family and our country suffered an unspeakable loss due to the inhumanity of one man," she wrote in 2021, successfully contributing to blocking his release.
Her death comes amid family tensions, occurring just weeks after her son Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ended his presidential campaign and endorsed Donald Trump, a move that reportedly distressed many family members.
Ethel Kennedy's legacy extends beyond her famous surname. As noted by her grandson, she remained deeply committed to her Catholic faith as a "daily communicant." Her life, marked by both tremendous privilege and profound loss, embodied resilience and dedication to public service.
She has left behind nine children, including former congressman Joseph P. Kennedy II and environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr., alongside her numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, ensuring the Kennedy legacy continues into future generations.
