Jackie Kennedy Onassis passed away on May 19, 1994, after battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 64. Born Jacqueline Lee Bouvier in 1929 in Southampton, New York, Jackie grew up in a privileged environment, studying abroad in Paris during college and excelling in equestrian and ballet dancing. After graduating from The George Washington University in 1951, Jackie met John F. Kennedy and married him in 1953.
As the wife of Sen. Kennedy, Jackie supported her husband’s political career and encouraged him to write the book “Profiles in Courage,” which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1957. Mrs. Kennedy became first lady in 1960 when Kennedy won the presidency. During their time in the White House, the Kennedys brought a youthful spirit and celebrated American culture and achievement. Jackie traveled abroad and represented the United States with grace.
Tragedy struck the Kennedy family when their son Patrick Bouvier Kennedy passed away in 1963 and President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Jackie became a widow at age 34 and captivated the world with her grace and dignity in the face of immense grief. She famously spoke of the Kennedy era as “Camelot” — a time of unfulfilled promise, which would never be replicated.
Following President Kennedy’s death, Jackie worked on the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and later married Aristotle Onassis. After his death in 1975, she continued working in book publishing and preserving landmarks, notably playing a key role in saving Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Jackie Kennedy Onassis passed away in 1994 surrounded by loved ones, leaving a lasting legacy of style, grace, and public service.
The son Jackie adored, John F. Kennedy Jr., tragically died in a plane crash in 1999. Jackie was laid to rest beside President Kennedy in Arlington National Cemetery. Known for her elegance and intelligence, Jackie Kennedy Onassis remains a cultural icon and a symbol of strength in the face of adversity. Her legacy of public service, landmark preservation, and grace under pressure continues to inspire generations.
