Ethel Kennedy, Advocate for Justice and RFK’s Widow, Dies at 96 \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Ethel Kennedy, widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, passed away at the age of 96, leaving behind a profound legacy of family devotion and social advocacy. Known for raising 11 children after her husband’s assassination, she became a tireless champion for human rights, gun control, and environmental causes. Her death marks the end of an era for the Kennedy family, with President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama praising her for her resilience and lifelong commitment to justice.
Ethel Kennedy’s Life and Legacy Quick Looks:
- Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy, died at 96, surrounded by her family after complications from a stroke.
- She is remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, leaving behind 9 children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.
- Ethel was a tireless advocate for social justice, founding the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights.
- Enduring multiple personal tragedies, including the loss of her husband and several children, she remained dedicated to her family and causes like human rights, gun control, and environmental activism.
- Her contributions earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, with leaders like President Biden, former President Obama, and former President Clinton remembering her as a beacon of courage and justice.
Deep Look:
Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and a steadfast champion for human rights and social justice, died on Thursday at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with both triumph and tragedy. Known for her unwavering resilience, Ethel Kennedy raised her 11 children after her husband’s assassination and became a leading voice in advocating for the causes that defined the Kennedy family’s legacy. Her family announced her passing with deep affection, noting that she died from complications related to a stroke.
Grandson Joe Kennedy III shared the news on social media, writing, “It is with our hearts full of love that we announce the passing of our amazing grandmother. She died this morning from complications related to a stroke suffered last week.” Her family’s statement paid tribute to the matriarch’s enduring influence, highlighting her deep love for family, social justice, and advocacy. “Our mother leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly,” the statement read.
Her death marks the passing of one of the last figures from a remarkable generation of Kennedys, whose lives were marked by both public service and personal tragedy. President Joe Biden reflected on her legacy, calling her “an American icon — a matriarch of optimism and moral courage, an emblem of resilience and service.” He praised her for dedicating her life to fighting for justice, saying, “For over 50 years, Ethel traveled, marched, boycotted, and stood up for human rights around the world with her signature iron will and grace.”
Born Ethel Skakel on April 11, 1928, in Greenwich, Connecticut, she was the daughter of George Skakel, a wealthy coal magnate, and Ann Brannack Skakel. Ethel was raised in a privileged environment, growing up in a 31-room manor and attending Manhattanville College, where she met Robert F. Kennedy through his sister, Jean Kennedy. The two married in 1950, and Ethel became an integral part of one of America’s most famous political dynasties. Known for her energy, enthusiasm, and competitive spirit, she thrived in the role, playing a key part in her in-laws’ rising power in American politics.
The Kennedys would become synonymous with both public service and tragedy, and Ethel Kennedy endured some of the most heart-wrenching losses of the family’s saga. She stood by her husband’s side when he was assassinated in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968, after winning California’s Democratic presidential primary. Just five years earlier, her brother-in-law, President John F. Kennedy, had been assassinated in Dallas. Ethel’s grief was compounded by further family tragedies, including the deaths of her parents in a 1955 plane crash, her brother in a 1966 crash, and her son David Kennedy, who died from a drug overdose in 1984. Another son, Michael Kennedy, died in a skiing accident in 1997, and her granddaughter Saoirse Kennedy Hill tragically passed away from an overdose in 2019.
In addition to these losses, her nephew, John F. Kennedy Jr., was killed in a 1999 plane crash, and another nephew, Michael Skakel, was convicted of murder before having his conviction vacated by the Connecticut Supreme Court.
Despite these tragedies, Ethel Kennedy remained a pillar of strength for her family and continued to dedicate herself to social justice. Her Catholic faith played a significant role in helping her cope with loss. “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,” her family’s statement read. Her devotion to faith and family kept her grounded through years of unimaginable heartache.
Ethel’s commitment to justice led her to found the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights shortly after her husband’s assassination. The organization became one of the most influential human rights advocates globally, focusing on litigation, advocacy, education, and activism. She used her platform to champion causes such as gun control, environmental protection, and the fight against human rights abuses. Ethel rarely spoke about her husband’s death, preferring to focus on the positive impact his legacy could have on the world. In the 2012 HBO documentary “Ethel,” directed by her daughter Rory Kennedy, she found it too difficult to revisit the tragedy. When Rory asked her about the assassination, Ethel began, “When we lost Daddy…” before tearing up and asking to talk about something else.
Even as the Kennedy family faced further public scrutiny, including her son Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s involvement in vaccine conspiracy theories, Ethel remained focused on her causes and refused to publicly comment on his controversial views. Her son’s outspoken opinions caused division within the family, but Ethel chose to maintain her private dignity in the face of public controversy.
Ethel’s lifetime of service did not go unnoticed. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2014, an honor recognizing her lifelong dedication to civil rights, public service, and justice. Obama described her as “a dear friend with a passion for justice, an irrepressible spirit, and a great sense of humor.” After her passing, Obama reflected on her impact, saying, “She touched the lives of countless people around the world with her generosity and grace, and was an emblem of enduring faith and hope, even in the face of unimaginable grief.”
Former President Bill Clinton echoed these sentiments, remembering her as “a fierce fighter for justice and equality” who built “one of the most effective human rights organizations in the world.” Clinton noted her ability to be “anywhere human dignity was at stake,” emphasizing her tireless work to fight for marginalized communities across the globe.
Beyond her advocacy, Ethel was known for her involvement in the Kennedy family’s public life. Her competitive spirit and love of sports led to lively tennis matches at their home in Hickory Hill, Virginia, where she and Robert raised their children. She was known to host some of the most celebrated political gatherings of the era, where politicians, historians, and celebrities alike would gather to discuss world events and enjoy the famous Kennedy hospitality.
In her later years, Ethel remained an active participant in protests and demonstrations. She joined farmworkers in 2016 to advocate for higher wages and took part in a hunger strike in 2018, protesting the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Her dedication to public service never wavered, even as she grew older.
Ethel divided her time between Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, and Palm Beach, Florida, after selling Hickory Hill in 2009. Her homes remained gathering places for her large and extended family, where she continued to offer love and support, even as the Kennedy legacy moved into new generations.
Now reunited with her husband and other lost family members, Ethel Kennedy’s extraordinary life of devotion, advocacy, and resilience will be remembered not only by her family but by the countless people she inspired around the world.
