Spouse of Former Senator Robert F. Kennedy
Ethel Kennedy, the wife of former Senator Robert F. Kennedy and a human rights activist, has passed away at the age of 96.
On the 1st (local time), according to The New York Times (NYT) and others, Joe Kennedy III, Ethel Kennedy’s grandson and former congressman, announced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "With all our love, we share the news of the passing of our wonderful grandmother, Ethel Kennedy," adding, "Grandma passed away this morning due to complications from a stroke that occurred last week."
Born in Chicago in 1928, Ethel Kennedy married Robert F. Kennedy, whom she met for the first time at age 17, becoming a member of the Kennedy family. After the tragedy of her husband’s assassination in June 1968, she gave birth to their 11th child six months later and never remarried, dedicating her life to raising her children and working for the causes her husband championed.
After her husband’s death, Ethel Kennedy founded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation and consistently advocated for freedom of expression worldwide. In 2014, then-President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor. Former President Obama recalled Ethel Kennedy as a cherished friend with a passionate commitment to justice and a vibrant spirit.
President Joe Biden also expressed his condolences, stating, "Ethel Kennedy defended human rights worldwide with steel-like will and dignity," and added, "She was an American icon who demonstrated optimism and moral courage, symbolizing resilience and service."
Ethel Kennedy gave birth to 11 children but lost two of them before her passing, leaving behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. Notably, her third son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., declared his candidacy for president as an independent but broke family tradition by supporting former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, which caused some family resentment.
The NYT described Ethel Kennedy as "the pillar of the Kennedy family," noting, "Her passion for politics was so intense that she was often said to be more Kennedy-like than the Kennedy family itself."
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