Moving Photos from Ethel Kennedy's Memorial Service in Washington, D.C.

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty

Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty

Etheldied on Oct. 10"from complicationsrelated to a stroke," according to a statement from her daughter, Kerry, that was posted on 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 grandchildren Maeve and Saoirse; and her great-grandchildren Gideon and Josie,” the statement read. “Please keep our mother in your hearts and prayers.”

See all the moving photos from Ethel Kennedy’s memorial, below.

01of 15Ethel Kennedy’s Casket ArrivesEthel Kennedy Memorial Service.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via GettyKennedy family and friends surround Ethel’s casket as it is ushered into the cathedral.

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Ethel Kennedy’s Casket Arrives

Ethel Kennedy Memorial Service.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty

Kennedy family and friends surround Ethel’s casket as it is ushered into the cathedral.

02of 15

Barack Obama and Bill Clinton Pay Their Respects

Former President Barack Obama with Rory Kennedy and Bill Clinton.Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty

03of 15President Joe Biden with Barack Obama and Bill ClintonJoe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via GettyObama and Clinton sat with President Biden during the ceremony.

03of 15

President Joe Biden with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton

Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty

Obama and Clinton sat with President Biden during the ceremony.

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Robert F. Kennedy and Cheryl Hines Arrive

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cheryl Hines.Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Chip Somodevilla/Getty

05of 15Barack Obama SpeaksBarack Obama speaks.Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via GettyObama also took to the podium and shared some of his fondest memories of Mrs. Kennedy.

05of 15

Barack Obama Speaks

Barack Obama speaks.Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty

Obama also took to the podium and shared some of his fondest memories of Mrs. Kennedy.

06of 15Bill Clinton SpeaksBill Clinton speaking.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via GettyFormer President Bill Clinton paid his respects to the late activist, calling her “the cat’s meow.”

06of 15

Bill Clinton Speaks

Bill Clinton speaking.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty

Former President Bill Clinton paid his respects to the late activist, calling her “the cat’s meow.”

07of 15Sting PerformsSting performs.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via GettySting honors Ethel Kennedy with a surprise performance.

07of 15

Sting Performs

Sting performs.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty

Sting honors Ethel Kennedy with a surprise performance.

08of 15Martin Luther King III ArrivesMartin Luther King III with President Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via GettyThe trio greet Martin Luther King III, son of MLK Jr., as he heads to his seat at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.

08of 15

Martin Luther King III Arrives

Martin Luther King III with President Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty

The trio greet Martin Luther King III, son of MLK Jr., as he heads to his seat at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.

09of 15Martin Luther King IIIMartin Luther King III.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via GettyMartin Luther King III heads to his seat ahead of the service. King, 66, spoke about the tragedies that his family and the Kennedys each faced in 1968.

09of 15

Martin Luther King III

Martin Luther King III.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty

Martin Luther King III heads to his seat ahead of the service. King, 66, spoke about the tragedies that his family and the Kennedys each faced in 1968.

10of 15Kerry Kennedy SpeaksKerry Kennedy.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via GettyKerry Kennedy, the seventh child of RFK and Ethel Kennedy, also shared some of her fondest memories of her mother. Kerry is now the president of RFK Human Rights, a nonprofit that Ethel founded in her late husband’s name.

10of 15

Kerry Kennedy Speaks

Kerry Kennedy.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty

Kerry Kennedy, the seventh child of RFK and Ethel Kennedy, also shared some of her fondest memories of her mother. Kerry is now the president of RFK Human Rights, a nonprofit that Ethel founded in her late husband’s name.

11of 15Joe Kennedy III SpeaksMANDEL NGAN/AFP via GettyFormer Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy III, one of Ethel’s grandsons, takes the podium to speak about his beloved grandma.

11of 15

Joe Kennedy III Speaks

Former Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy III, one of Ethel’s grandsons, takes the podium to speak about his beloved grandma.

12of 15Max Kennedy Pays His RespectsMax Kennedy.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via GettyMax Kennedy, Ethel and RFK’s ninth child, did a reading at the service to honor his mother.

12of 15

Max Kennedy Pays His Respects

Max Kennedy.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty

Max Kennedy, Ethel and RFK’s ninth child, did a reading at the service to honor his mother.

13of 15Stevie Wonder PerformsStevie Wonder.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via GettyStevie Wonder shared some memories he had with Ethel Kennedy as he performed at the memorial.

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Stevie Wonder Performs

Stevie Wonder.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty

Stevie Wonder shared some memories he had with Ethel Kennedy as he performed at the memorial.

14of 15Rory Kennedy Gets Emotional on StageRory Kennedy.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via GettyRory Kennedy, Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy’s last born, also spoke fondly of her late mother, saying, “Mummy was all I had, but she was more than I could have ever hoped for.” Rory was born after her father’s assassination.

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Rory Kennedy Gets Emotional on Stage

Rory Kennedy.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty

Rory Kennedy, Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy’s last born, also spoke fondly of her late mother, saying, “Mummy was all I had, but she was more than I could have ever hoped for.” Rory was born after her father’s assassination.

15of 15Kenny Chesney PerformsKenny Chesney.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via GettyKenny Chesneysang “You Are My Sunshine” at the beginning of the service, performing in honor of the late matriarch whom he said “felt like sunshine.”

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Kenny Chesney Performs

Kenny Chesney.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty

Kenny Chesneysang “You Are My Sunshine” at the beginning of the service, performing in honor of the late matriarch whom he said “felt like sunshine.”

source: people.com