Ethel Kennedy: The Matriarch Molded by Faith, Strength, and Tragedy
Ethel Kennedy, husband of the late Senator Robert Kennedy, died at the age of 96
Ethel Kennedy, the wife of the late Senator Robert Kennedy, died at 96 on Thursday, October 10. Two of her kids – Kerry Kennedy and Rory Kennedy, and grandson Joe Kennedy III, announced the news on social media.
“It is with our hearts full of love that we announce the passing of our amazing grandmother, Ethel Kennedy. She died this morning from complications related to a stroke suffered last week. Along with a lifetime’s work in social justice and human rights, our mother leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly,” Joe tweeted on X. Joe is the son of Ethel’s son Joseph Patrick.
“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.”
Kerry, president of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and Rory, a filmmaker also shared the statement on their Instagram accounts.
“It is with our hearts full of love that we announce the passing of our mother, Ethel Kennedy. Please keep our mother in your hearts and prayers.”
RFK Jr’s tribute to his mom
Kerry and Rory’s brother Robert Kennedy Jr, who earlier announced his bid for the presidency and now supports Donald Trump for his bid for presidency shared a photo of their mom on Instagram, remembering the discipline and faith in God she had despite the numerous tragedies she endured and witnessed in the family.
“My mom invented tough love, and she could be hard on her children when we didn’t live up to her expectations,” he said in a statement. ” But she was intensely loyal, and we always knew she would stand fiercely behind us when we came under attack by others.”
The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights also remembered Ethel, recalling the perseverance she had in raising her children following the assassination of her husband in 1968 and the human rights work she has done with the organization.
“Few would have blamed her for giving up then. Yet, she steadfastly raised 11 children alone, instilling in them all a firm sense of faith, empathy, ebullience and above all, courage,” the board of RFK Human Rights wrote.
“After founding Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights months after her husband’s death in 1968, she became a political force in her own right, personally tackling human rights issues both at home and abroad.”
Molded by faith, strength, and tragedy
Born Ethel Skakel in 1928, she married Robert F. Kennedy in 1950 and bore him 11 children. She would become a popular figure as her brother-in-law, then senator John F. Kennedy rose to become the president of the United States of America.
Robert or Bobby, as he’s known would later be appointed as attorney general in his brother’s administration and Ethel found herself active in both JFK and her husband’s political activities.
After JFK’s assassination, Bobby found himself running for senator and would be a contender for the presidency. Tragic struck in 1968 when Bobby was gunned down after a primary appearance.
Ethel’s faith would be tested numerous times including the death of her parents, brother, two of her sons, her nephew John F. Kennedy Jr, two grandchildren, daughter-in-law, and two great-grandchildren.
Tribute poured in for Ethel. Her niece Maria Shriver described her as “a devoted sister-in-law to my mother, a one of a kind aunt to me and my cousins.” Maria’s mom Eunice Shriver is RFK’s sister.
” She was fearless, funny, smart, incredible athlete, patriot, madly in love with my Uncle Bobby, and devoted to making our country better in every way. She was a woman of deep faith. When it got tough, and there were a lot of tough times, she dug in. She relied on her faith like my own mother,” Maria wrote on X.
Former US president Barack Obama also paid tribute to Ethel. “Ethel Kennedy was a dear friend with a passion for justice, an irrepressible spirit, and a great sense of humor. 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. Michelle and I are thinking of the Kennedy family and all those who loved this extraordinary woman.”
President Joe Biden also paid tribute to Ethel, saying her husband was one of the people he looked up to and how he admired her strength amidst the tragedies she’s gone through.
“After his shattering death, Ethel showed our whole nation a way forward, turning pain into purpose and continuing his march toward civil rights and social justice, an end to poverty at home, and securing peace abroad—all while raising their 11 children. Four years later, when I lost my own wife and infant daughter, Ethel was always there for me and my sons. She helped us find strength and perseverance. She taught us how to channel grief into the service of a greater good,” he wrote.
“Jill and I send our love to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; to her nieces and nephews and the entire Kennedy family; and to the millions of people around the world touched over the decades by her remarkable life of strength and service. May God bless Ethel Kennedy, a dear friend, and a great American.”
Ethel’s death marks a chapter closed in one of America’s popular political families. Considered as one of the women of “Camelot”, a reference for JFK’s favorite musical of the same title and a reference to his time in the presidency, Ethel, along with JFK’s wife Jackie and the late Ted Kennedy’s first wife Joan was the subject of a book called The Women of Camelot: Jackie, Ethel, Joan by J. Randy Taraborrelli. She also appeared in 2012 in the documentary Ethel, directed by her daughter Rory.
More tributes
Dame Maggie Smith: A Mentor, Mother, and Grandmother
Remembering James Earl Jones: The Voice of Icons
Remembering Matthew Perry in Death: How He Taught Us How to Laugh