Who Is Kick Kennedy? All About RFK Jr.'s Daughter (Who’s Been Linked to Ben Affleck)

Mar. 15, 2025

Kick Kennedy attends Maison de Mode’s Sustainable Style Awards on June 26, 2021 in West Hollywood, California.Photo:Andrew Toth/Getty

Andrew Toth/Getty

As the eldest daughter of six siblings and a descendant ofRobert F. Kennedy, Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy has continued to uphold the iconic American family’s legacy.

Instead, Kick started her career as a performer, having pursued acting after graduating from Stanford University. Though she had a few roles shortly after graduation, Kick has mainly focused on a career in philanthropy.

Most recently, Kick, 36, made headlines after a source told PEOPLE she wasgetting to knowBen Affleck, 52, afterJennifer Lopezfiled for divorcefrom the actor on Aug. 20, 2024. Although another insider said, “I don’t think they even know each other. There’s definitely nothing going on.”

The following day, Affleck’s rep confirmed to PEOPLE thatthe two were not dating.

So who is Kick Kennedy? Here’s everything to know about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s eldest daughter.

She was named after her great-aunt

Kick Kennedy attends Quest & Nirav Modi Champagne Reception on November 2, 2017 in New York City. ; Kathleen Kennedy aboard the S. S. Washington.Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan/Getty ; Bettmann

Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan/Getty ; Bettmann

Kick was born Kathleen Alexandra Kennedy on April 13, 1988, but was nicknamed Kick, just like her great-aunt, Kathleen “Kick” Agnes Kennedy (who was the sister of late President John F. Kennedy).

Kathleen was remembered as having anadventurous and outgoing personality, per the 2016 biographyKick Kennedy:The Charmed Life and Tragic Death of the Favorite Kennedy Daughter. However, Kathleen had a major rift with her family when she married Billy Hartington, a Protestant, causing her Catholic parents to turn her away. After she died in a tragic plane crash in 1948 at just 28 years old, no one from her family attended her funeral.

Like Kathleen, Kick had an adventurous spirit from a young age; she toldTown & Countryin a 2012 profile and was traveling across the world, hiking Mount Kilimanjaro and rafting in the Grand Canyon while still in college. Unlike Kathleen, however, Kick said she has a more supportive family.

“Of course, I don’t think my parents would ever call my own death divine retribution. Well, maybe if I became a Republican,” she joked.

She was raised in a home of six siblings

Kick Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attend the 2011 Riverkeeper Fishermen’s Ball on April 13, 2011 in New York City.Stephen Lovekin/Getty

Stephen Lovekin/Getty

In the wake of Richardson’s death, Kick flew home from college at Stanford University to spend time with her siblings. Now, she continues to have a close relationship with all five, participating in various fundraisers and charities with them, includingspeaking with Conorat the 50th anniversary of the Poor People’s Campaign in Mississippi in May 2018.

Kick has always been very adventurous

Kick Kennedy attends Hearst Castle Preservation Foundation Annual Benefit Weekend 2016 Luncheon on October 1, 2016 in San Simeon, CA.David Crotty/Patrick McMullan/Getty

David Crotty/Patrick McMullan/Getty

As the daughter of a master falconer, Kick grew up with a love for animals and the environment, as well as exploring it. While she was a student at Stanford studying history, she hiked Mount Kilimanjaro with actorsEmile HirschandJessica Bielin an effort to raise awareness of the water shortage crisis.

“I thought it was pretty normal to run around the woods building forts with my crow that was trained to say ‘Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy’ or have an alligator wound, etcetera,” she said. “My classmates were quick to correct me. I think they were a little off-put.”

She started her career as an actress

Kick Kennedy attends a Remembrance and Celebration of the Life & Enduring Legacy of Robert F. Kennedy event on June 6, 2018 in Arlington, Virginia.Leigh Vogel/Getty

Leigh Vogel/Getty

Though Kick was splitting her time between New York and Los Angeles in hopes of finding her big break, she admitted toTown & Countrythat it wasn’t fame she was seeking.

“I was born with a sticker — a name — that has made me totally uninterested in the fame factor of success,” Kick said. “I see all my actor friends really going for it in that way because it’s such a big part of the job, but it kind of turns me off. I’m frightened of it, or at least uninterested, unamused.”

Kick is now a philanthropist

Robert Kennedy Jr., Kathleen Alexandra Kennedy and Cheryl Hines attend the 3rd Annual Turtle Ball on September 28, 2015 in New York City.Santiago Felipe/Getty

Santiago Felipe/Getty

Kick mainly stopped acting after 2012, instead focusing on a career in philanthropy. She is passionate about finding a solution to water shortages and other environmental causes, having grown up with her father, who is passionate about the environment.

“I’ve been really connected to water issues since I can remember, as my father made it his passion,” she told Resident. “We knew what PCPs were before we knew how to tie our shoes. I’ve also spent so much time on the water, whether it’s sailing with friends and family or doing a river cleanup on the Hudson.”

She was rumored to be spending time with Affleck in August 2024

Kick Kennedy Jr. attends the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Hosts 2019 Ripple Of Hope Gala & Auction In NYC on December 12, 2019. ; Ben Affleck attends the Los Angeles premiere of Amazon Studio’s “The Tender Bar” on December 12, 2021 in Hollywood, California.Mike Pont/Getty ; Kevin Winter/Getty

Mike Pont/Getty ; Kevin Winter/Getty

Just days after her fatherdropped out of the 2024 presidential race, Kick made headlines for her rumored connection with Affleck. The reports also came just days after Lopez filed for divorce from theGone Girlactor.

Multiple sources told PEOPLE that Kick and Affleck were getting to know one another, with one saying the two are “in the same scene," adding that “Kick’s celeb crush has always been Ben.”

The source also described Kick as a “partier” who “likes to have a good time.” However, a different source told PEOPLE that there’s nothing between the two.

The next day, Affleck’s rep denied the rumors in a statement to PEOPLE.

“There is no truth to any of it. I don’t know if they even know each other,” Jen Allen, Affleck’s spokesperson, said.

source: people.com