Ethel Kennedy's Life in Photos — from Young Widow to Human Rights Activist

Mar. 15, 2025

Ethel Kennedy in 1961.Photo:Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Ethel Kennedy, a matriarch in the United States' most prominent political family, hasdied at age 96.On Oct. 10, 2024, the widow of former Sen.Robert F. Kennedydied from complications related to a stroke she had the week prior, according to a statement from her daughter Kerry postedon X.“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 grandchildrenMaeveand Saoirse; and her great-grandchildren Gideon and Josie,” the statement reads. “Please keep our mother in your hearts and prayers.“After her husband was assassinated in June 1968, Ethel founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and devoted the rest of her life to public service. In 2014, then-President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.See photos from the human rights advocate’s well-lived life as the nation mourns her death.

Ethel Kennedy, a matriarch in the United States' most prominent political family, hasdied at age 96.

On Oct. 10, 2024, the widow of former Sen.Robert F. Kennedydied from complications related to a stroke she had the week prior, according to a statement from her daughter Kerry postedon X.

“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 grandchildrenMaeveand Saoirse; and her great-grandchildren Gideon and Josie,” the statement reads. “Please keep our mother in your hearts and prayers.”

After her husband was assassinated in June 1968, Ethel founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and devoted the rest of her life to public service. In 2014, then-President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

See photos from the human rights advocate’s well-lived life as the nation mourns her death.

01of 09Ethel Kennedy’s ChildhoodEthel Kennedy (left) and Jean Kennedy enter the Roman Catholic Church in New York in 1954.AP Photo/Matty ZimmermanEthel Skakel was born in Chicago on April 11, 1928, to coal magnate George Skakel and his former secretary Ann Brannack. She was the sixth child of seven, with three sisters and three brothers. In 1955, George and Ann died when their private plane crashed in Oklahoma.She attended Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart in New York City, where she met and eventually became roommates withJean Kennedy.

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Ethel Kennedy’s Childhood

Ethel Kennedy (left) and Jean Kennedy enter the Roman Catholic Church in New York in 1954.AP Photo/Matty Zimmerman

AP Photo/Matty Zimmerman

Ethel Skakel was born in Chicago on April 11, 1928, to coal magnate George Skakel and his former secretary Ann Brannack. She was the sixth child of seven, with three sisters and three brothers. In 1955, George and Ann died when their private plane crashed in Oklahoma.

She attended Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart in New York City, where she met and eventually became roommates withJean Kennedy.

02of 09Marrying Robert F. KennedyEthel and Robert Kennedy get married in June 1950.GettyEthel was introduced to Jean’s brother, Robert F. Kennedy, on a ski trip in Québec, Canada. After Robert’s relationship with Ethel’s older sister Patricia ended, the couple began dating.They became engaged in February 1950 and wed four months later, on June 17, 1950.

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Marrying Robert F. Kennedy

Ethel and Robert Kennedy get married in June 1950.Getty

Getty

Ethel was introduced to Jean’s brother, Robert F. Kennedy, on a ski trip in Québec, Canada. After Robert’s relationship with Ethel’s older sister Patricia ended, the couple began dating.

They became engaged in February 1950 and wed four months later, on June 17, 1950.

03of 09Ethel, RFK and Their 11 ChildrenEthel and Robert Kennedy with their 10 kids.BettmanTogether, RFK and Ethel had11 children: Kathleen, Joseph, Robert Jr., David, Courtney, Michael, Kerry, Christopher, Maxwell, Douglas and Rory.She tragicallyoutlived two of her sons, David and Michael, after their deaths in 1984 and 1997, respectively. David died of an overdose in his Palm Beach hotel room, while Michael died in a skiing accident in Aspen, Colorado.

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Ethel, RFK and Their 11 Children

Ethel and Robert Kennedy with their 10 kids.Bettman

Bettman

Together, RFK and Ethel had11 children: Kathleen, Joseph, Robert Jr., David, Courtney, Michael, Kerry, Christopher, Maxwell, Douglas and Rory.

She tragicallyoutlived two of her sons, David and Michael, after their deaths in 1984 and 1997, respectively. David died of an overdose in his Palm Beach hotel room, while Michael died in a skiing accident in Aspen, Colorado.

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Prospective First Lady

Ethel Kennedy stands next to Sen. Robert Kennedy as he tells a press conference he will continue to seek Democratic nomination.Getty

“Kennedy’s wife, always his most fervent believer, was the most consistent advocate of a race for the White House, " RFK biographer Evan Thomas wrote inRobert Kennedy: His Life.

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RFK’s Assassination

Ethel Kennedy mourns Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with children Robert Jr., Kathleen and Joseph in 1968.Bettmann/Getty

Bettmann/Getty

Ethel, who witnessed the murder and was pregnant with Rory at the time, mourned the loss of her husband at his funeral on June 8. She then established the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights — now known asRobert F. Kennedy Human Rights— to advocate for social justice domestically and internationally.

The widow also vowednever to remarryafter her husband’s assassination.

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‘Ethel’ Documentary

‘Ethel’ (2012) documentary poster.HBO

HBO

07of 09Presidential Medal of FreedomPresident Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Ethel Kennedy on Nov. 24, 2014, in Washington, D.C.Alex Wong/GettyIn 2014, then-President Barack Obama awarded Ethel with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S., for a lifetime of contributions to social justice, human rights, environmental protection, and poverty reduction.

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Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Ethel Kennedy on Nov. 24, 2014, in Washington, D.C.Alex Wong/Getty

Alex Wong/Getty

In 2014, then-President Barack Obama awarded Ethel with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S., for a lifetime of contributions to social justice, human rights, environmental protection, and poverty reduction.

08of 09Leaving a LegacyEthel Kennedy with her family at her 96th birthday celebration.Joe Kennedy/XEthel and the sprawling Kennedy family reunited tocelebrate the matriarch’s 96th birthday. Her grandsonJoseph Kennedy IIIposted rare photos of Ethel from the festivities, writing on X: “Happy 96th to the World’s most amazing Gramma!! 🎂.”

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Leaving a Legacy

Ethel Kennedy with her family at her 96th birthday celebration.Joe Kennedy/X

Joe Kennedy/X

Ethel and the sprawling Kennedy family reunited tocelebrate the matriarch’s 96th birthday. Her grandsonJoseph Kennedy IIIposted rare photos of Ethel from the festivities, writing on X: “Happy 96th to the World’s most amazing Gramma!! 🎂.”

09of 09Ethel Cain Dies at 96Ethel Kennedy attends a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston on Sept. 20, 2016.David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via GettyOn Oct. 10, 2024, Ethel’s daughter Kerry announced on X that her mother had died from complications from a stroke that she suffered in the previous week.“Along with a lifetime’s work in social justice, our mother leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly,” read the statement.

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Ethel Cain Dies at 96

Ethel Kennedy attends a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston on Sept. 20, 2016.David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty

David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty

On Oct. 10, 2024, Ethel’s daughter Kerry announced on X that her mother had died from complications from a stroke that she suffered in the previous week.

“Along with a lifetime’s work in social justice, our mother leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly,” read the statement.

source: people.com