Ethel Kennedy Passes Away at 96: A Legacy of Resilience and Advocacy
Ethel Kennedy, widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, passed away on October 10, 2024, at the age of 96. Born into the influential Skakel family in 1928, Ethel married Robert F. Kennedy in 1950, becoming part of one of America’s most prominent political power couples. Throughout her life, Ethel was a steadfast supporter of her husband’s political career, which included his role as Attorney General under his brother, President John F. Kennedy, and his 1968 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Tragedy struck the Kennedy family when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in June 1968, just five years after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. At the time, Ethel was pregnant with their eleventh child, Rory Kennedy. Despite enduring such profound loss, Ethel remained a committed advocate for social justice and human rights throughout her life.
Advocate for Justice and Human Rights
In the wake of her husband’s death, Ethel founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights (now RFK Human Rights) to carry on his legacy. The organization promotes human rights, supports journalists and authors, and recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to social justice. Ethel’s commitment to gun control, environmental advocacy, and special education were cornerstones of her activism, as she remained actively involved in numerous causes well into her later years.
Ethel’s life was marked by both triumph and tragedy. In addition to the loss of her husband, she experienced other personal tragedies. Her parents died in a plane crash in 1955, and her brother died in another crash in 1966. Two of her sons, David Kennedy and Michael Kennedy, also passed away under tragic circumstances—David from a drug overdose in 1984 and Michael in a skiing accident in 1997. The Kennedy family faced further heartbreak when Ethel’s granddaughter, Saoirse Kennedy Hill, died of an overdose in 2019.
The Matriarch of the Kennedy Family
Through these immense losses, Ethel remained the resilient matriarch of the Kennedy family, raising her children and continuing her advocacy work. She hosted many gatherings at the family’s Hickory Hill estate, where political figures, intellectuals, and celebrities came together. Her passion for her husband’s political career was unwavering—she played a key role in encouraging him to enter the 1968 presidential race and remained one of his most devoted supporters.
In 2008, Ethel endorsed Senator Barack Obama for president, comparing him to her late husband. Her continued involvement in politics and social causes kept her in the public eye, and in 2014, Ethel was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, recognizing her decades of service to human rights.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Strength and Advocacy
Ethel Kennedy’s life was a testament to her resilience, strength, and dedication to public service. Despite facing numerous personal tragedies, she became a powerful advocate for justice, social change, and human rights. As the leader of the Kennedy family, she not only raised her children through immense hardship but also built a lasting legacy that honored Robert F. Kennedy’s memory. Her indelible impact on American history will be remembered for generations to come.
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