Ethel Kennedy, the matriarch of one of America’s most renowned political families, passed away at 96. Her life was marked by her dedication to civil justice, a cause she championed after witnessing the assassination of her husband, Robert F. Kennedy, the night he secured the 1968 California Democratic presidential primary.
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Her grandson, former Rep. Joe Kennedy III, shared the family’s grief: “It is with hearts full of love that we announce the passing of our amazing grandmother, Ethel Kennedy. She died this morning from complications related to a stroke she suffered last week.”
In a family statement, they reflected on her legacy: “Along with a lifetime dedicated to social justice and human rights, our mother leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly. Please keep her in your hearts and prayers.”
Ethel Kennedy was hospitalized on October 8th after suffering a stroke in her sleep.
President Biden honored her in a heartfelt tribute, calling her “an American icon – a matriarch of optimism and moral courage, an emblem of resilience and service.” He noted how her strength and heart inspired millions, including him and the First Lady. “For over 50 years, Ethel traveled, marched, boycotted, and stood up for human rights around the world with her signature iron will and grace.”
Ethel’s devotion to her family, especially after her husband’s murder, was unwavering. She raised her 11 children, one of whom she was pregnant with when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated, instilling in them the family creed of service, often quoting her brother-in-law, President John F. Kennedy: “To those who are given much, much will be required.”
Following her husband’s death, she became a powerful advocate for justice, creating the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center to continue his fight for human rights and justice. Her work earned her the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 2014. President Obama praised her unwavering hope and faith, saying she had “touched the lives of countless people with her generosity and grace.”
Born Ethel Skakel in 1928, she led a life of privilege growing up in Connecticut. She later met Robert Kennedy through his sister Jean while attending Manhattanville College in New York. The couple married in 1950 and soon welcomed the first of their 11 children. Tragedy struck her life early when her parents died in a plane crash in 1955, but she poured her energy into her growing family and her husband’s rising political career.
As the 1960s unfolded, Ethel found herself at the center of key moments in American history. She was there when her brother-in-law John F. Kennedy was elected president and watched as Robert served as attorney general during his administration. Tragedy again struck the family with the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963. Undeterred, Robert Kennedy continued his political career, running for president in 1968, with Ethel as his steadfast supporter. His assassination later that year marked another devastating blow to the Kennedy family.
Despite these losses, Ethel continued to fight for justice and peace, even opposing parole for her husband’s assassin. In a 2021 letter to the California Parole Board, she wrote, “Our family and country suffered unspeakable loss due to the inhumanity of one man. We believe in the gentleness that spared his life, but he should not have the opportunity to terrorize again.”
Tragedy followed her family throughout the years. In 1984, her son David died of a drug overdose, and in 1997, another son, Michael, was killed in a skiing accident. Ethel also faced the painful trial of her nephew, Michael Skakel, who was convicted of murder in 2002.
Despite her high-profile life, Ethel valued privacy, rarely granting interviews. However, in 2008, she publicly supported Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. She remained a cherished figure within her family, and her youngest daughter, Rory Kennedy, honored her by directing a documentary about her life, simply titled “Ethel,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012.
Reflecting on her mother, Rory Kennedy said, “Her life has been truly remarkable. In the highs, the lows, and even the everyday moments, she lived intensely. You would be hard-pressed to find another like her.”
