Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy and sister-in-law of President John F. Kennedy, passed away at the age of 96. She had suffered a stroke and was receiving treatment when she died. Born Ethel Skakel in 1928 in Chicago, Kennedy’s life was marked by tragedy even before the assassination of her husband in 1968. Her parents were killed in a plane crash in 1955 and her husband was killed by Sirhan Sirhan in 1968 while running for president.
Kennedy married Robert F. Kennedy in 1950 and the couple had 11 children. They lived in a Virginia mansion previously owned by JFK, with Robert serving as the Attorney General under his brother’s presidency. After JFK’s assassination, Robert ran for the United States Senate and later launched his own presidential campaign in 1968. Kennedy supported her husband’s political endeavors and founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights.
Despite facing personal tragedies, including the deaths of two of her sons and her nephew’s murder trial, Kennedy remained committed to social justice causes and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014. She never remarried after Robert’s death, although she was close friends with singer Andy Williams in the 1970s. Kennedy’s private pain over her husband’s assassination was brought into the public eye again in 2021 when a parole board recommended releasing his killer, Sirhan Sirhan.
Kennedy objected to the release, stating that his actions had caused an “unspeakable loss” for her family and the country. Six of her surviving children supported her in this decision, but two of her sons, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Douglas Kennedy, believed Sirhan had served his time and supported his parole bid. This disagreement highlighted the ongoing impact of Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination on the Kennedy family and the differing perspectives on forgiveness and justice.
Ethel Kennedy’s life was one of resilience and dedication to public service despite enduring multiple tragedies. She played a vital role in supporting her husband’s political career and later continued his legacy through her work with the Robert F. Kennedy Center. Her commitment to social justice causes and advocacy for those in need earned her recognition and respect throughout her lifetime. Kennedy’s passing marks the end of an era for the Kennedy family and leaves behind a lasting legacy of strength and compassion.
