Ethel Kennedy Death & Obituary: Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy and a powerful matriarch in the Kennedy family, has passed away at the age of 96. She died on Thursday, October 10, 2024, following complications from a stroke suffered the week prior. Ethel’s daughter, Kerry Kennedy, confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement, reflecting on her mother’s devout Catholic faith and finding comfort in the belief that Ethel was reunited with her loved ones, including her husband Robert and several of her children and grandchildren.
A Life Shaped by Tragedy and Resilience
Born Ethel Skakel on April 11, 1928, into a wealthy family in Chicago, Illinois, she married Robert F. Kennedy in 1950. Robert, known as RFK, went on to become the U.S. Attorney General, a senator from New York, and a leading Democratic presidential candidate before his tragic assassination in 1968. After his death, Ethel was left to raise their 11 children, navigating the challenges of public life while enduring unimaginable personal tragedies.
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Two of her children, David Kennedy and Michael Kennedy, predeceased her—David from a drug overdose in 1984 and Michael in a skiing accident in 1997. Ethel also outlived her nephew, John F. Kennedy Jr., who died in a plane crash in 1999, her daughter-in-law Mary Richardson Kennedy, who died by suicide in 2012, and her granddaughters Saoirse Kennedy and Maeve Kennedy Townsend McKean, both of whom died in separate tragic accidents.
Devout Faith and Public Service
Throughout her life, Ethel Kennedy leaned heavily on her Catholic faith to persevere through these tragedies. In a 2012 interview, she emphasized how living in the moment and relying on her religious beliefs helped her cope with loss. Her steadfast faith and strength made her a symbol of resilience within the Kennedy family and beyond.
In 1981, Ethel founded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization to continue her husband’s legacy of fighting for social justice. She was a passionate advocate for human rights, civil rights, environmentalism, and global social issues, using her position to highlight injustices around the world.
The Kennedy Legacy and Public Impact
Ethel’s large family, including her surviving children and numerous grandchildren, continued to play significant roles in public life, with several holding positions in politics, activism, and human rights advocacy. Her son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., most recently gained attention for his 2024 campaign for the U.S. presidency, demonstrating the enduring influence of the Kennedy family in American politics.
Conclusion: A Pillar of Strength and Legacy of Compassion
Ethel Kennedy’s life was marked by profound loss but also by an unwavering commitment to faith, family, and justice. She will be remembered as a resilient figure who helped shape the Kennedy family legacy and American history. Her dedication to public service, especially her work in human rights advocacy, will continue to inspire future generations. Ethel’s passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy lives on through her family and the causes she championed.
Condolences to the Kennedy family as they mourn the loss of their beloved matriarch, a true pillar of strength and compassion.