Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy and matriarch of the Kennedy family, passed away at the age of 96 after suffering a stroke. Her grandson, Joe Kennedy III, confirmed her death on social media, stating, “It is with our hearts full of love that we announce the passing of our amazing grandmother.” Ethel was the last surviving member of the Kennedy family’s “Camelot” era, having witnessed and endured numerous tragedies throughout her life.
Ethel’s life was marked by profound loss, starting with the assassination of her husband in 1968 while he was campaigning for president. Left to raise their 11 children, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., she faced further heartache when her son David died from a drug overdose and another son, Michael, was killed in a skiing accident. In addition, she lost her nephew, John F. Kennedy Jr., in a plane crash, and two granddaughters in recent years—one to a drug overdose in 2019 and another in a canoe accident in 2020.
Despite the tragedies, Ethel was known for her resilience and faith. Reflecting on how she coped with so much loss, she said in a 2012 interview, “I pretty well lived in the moment. And I was blessed with faith.” Ethel played a crucial role in continuing her husband’s legacy, founding the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, where she advocated for human rights and gun control.
Ethel’s legacy extended beyond the personal realm, with public figures like the late Harry Belafonte admiring her strength. Belafonte once said, “She wasn’t playacting. She looked at you and immediately got what you were about,” highlighting her sincerity and fortitude.
Funeral arrangements for Ethel Kennedy have not yet been announced, but her death marks the end of an era for one of America’s most storied political families.
