Ethel Kennedy, a longtime advocate for human rights and widow of the late Robert F. Kennedy, has died following complications from a stroke. The Kennedy family confirmed the news, with her grandson, Joe Kennedy III, sharing the announcement on social media. She was 96 years old.
The stroke occurred in her sleep on October 3, and she was immediately taken to a hospital where she received medical care. Despite the efforts of her doctors and the presence of her loved ones, Ethel Kennedy passed away this morning. Joe Kennedy III posted a heartfelt tribute, recalling her incredible legacy and the cherished moments she spent with her family over the summer and into the fall.
“She was a devout Catholic and a daily communicant, and we are comforted in knowing she is reunited with the love of her life, our father, Robert F. Kennedy; her children David and Michael; her daughter-in-law Mary; her grandchildren Maeve and Saoirse; and her great-grandchildren Gideon and Josie,” Joe Kennedy III wrote. He added that the family is requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Ethel was born Ethel Skakel in 1928 and was notably recognized as the widow of Robert F. Kennedy, the U.S. Attorney General and New York Senator assassinated in 1968. Married to Robert in 1950, she became a prominent figure in American political and social circles. Throughout their marriage and after her husband’s tragic death, Ethel was deeply involved in social advocacy, focusing on human rights and environmental issues. Ethel has played a crucial role in preserving and promoting her husband’s political legacy.
Thursday, December 19, 1968, Ethel Kennedy responds to the press corps at the Georgetown University Hospital where her daughter Rory Elizabeth Katherine Kennedy was born December 12, 1968. Rory Kennedy the youngest child of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy was born six months after her father was assassinated.
In 2014, President Obama awarded Ethel Kennedy the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony at the White House. Over the years, she has remained an influential presence in the Kennedy family’s ongoing public service endeavors. She championed numerous causes, advocating for human rights and supporting the underprivileged.
Ethel Kennedy dedicated her life entirely to her family and her husband’s political career, never pursuing a formal career of her own. Throughout the 1950s, when Robert served as chief counsel for the Senate rackets committee, Ethel was a constant presence at nearly all the hearings according to The New York Times. She took the time to learn about the journalists covering the events, including the names of their wives and children, and would inquire about them. However, she was quick to voice her displeasure whenever she read coverage she deemed unfair, which often included any critical remarks.
She leaves behind a large and close-knit family: nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren, along with nieces and nephews, who remember her as a pillar of strength and compassion. The family has asked for thoughts and prayers as they grieve the loss of the Kennedy matriarch. Ethel Kennedy’s passing marks the end of an era for the Kennedy family, a dynasty that has played a pivotal role in American politics for decades.
The Kennedy family found themselves at the center of political attention again when Ethel’s son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., launched his presidential campaign. However, he withdrew from the race in August and endorsed Republican nominee Donald Trump. Kennedy’s presidential bid faced public opposition from many of his relatives.
