On Wednesday, October 9th, 2024, the world said goodbye to Ethel Skakel Kennedy, the widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and a towering figure in American history, who passed away at the age of 96. Ethel Kennedy, long admired for her dedication to human rights, social justice, and her role as the matriarch of the Kennedy political dynasty, had suffered a stroke six days earlier, on October 3rd, as confirmed by her grandson, former Congressman Joe Kennedy III, in an emotional social media post. Surrounded by her large, loving family, she slipped away peacefully after a week-long battle, leaving behind a legacy of tireless advocacy, resilience in the face of tragedy, and an indomitable spirit that inspired generations.
Born into privilege on April 11, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, Ethel Skakel grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, in a Catholic family of considerable wealth and influence. She was the sixth of seven children of George and Ann Skakel, who made their fortune in the coal industry. From a young age, Ethel showed signs of the tenacity and spirited activism that would come to define her adult life. Raised in a family where the teachings of the Catholic Church were central, Ethel developed a deep sense of moral responsibility that shaped her future endeavors in politics, philanthropy, and human rights.
Ethel first met Robert F. Kennedy, or Bobby, as he was affectionately called, in 1945, when she was just 17 years old. At the time, she was attending the prestigious Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart, and her roommate was none other than Jean Kennedy, Bobby’s sister. This serendipitous connection led to a deep friendship with the Kennedy family, and soon after, Bobby and Ethel began dating. The couple married in 1950, and their union would eventually become one of the most iconic and tragic love stories in American political history.
As Bobby’s career ascended, first as U.S. Attorney General under his brother John F. Kennedy’s presidency and later as a U.S. Senator from New York, Ethel played an integral role by his side. She was not just a supportive spouse; she was a force in her own right. Ethel was known for her boundless energy, her sharp intellect, and her deeply held convictions about justice and equality. Together, she and Bobby championed civil rights, labor rights, and anti-poverty measures, both becoming strong advocates for marginalized communities.
The Kennedy family’s political dynasty was a whirlwind of activity, and Ethel, ever resilient, took on her role as the mother of their rapidly growing brood with characteristic grace. Over the course of their marriage, Ethel gave birth to 11 children, a feat she managed while maintaining a steadfast commitment to her husband’s political endeavors. Their family, with its mixture of privilege, idealism, and tragedy, would become the stuff of American legend.
However, the high-flying days of Camelot came to a crushing halt with Bobby Kennedy’s assassination on June 5th, 1968, in the kitchen pantry of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, shortly after winning the California Democratic primary during his bid for the presidency. Ethel, who was pregnant with their eleventh child, Rory, at the time, was thrust into the depths of unimaginable grief. Yet, in the face of such overwhelming loss, she refused to retreat into despair. Instead, she channeled her sorrow into action, becoming a tireless advocate for social justice and human rights causes, following in her late husband’s footsteps.
In the immediate aftermath of Bobby’s death, Ethel founded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights foundation in October 1968, an organization dedicated to continuing her husband’s work in promoting human rights, fostering democratic values, and encouraging public service. The foundation became a leading voice for justice, tackling issues ranging from civil rights and criminal justice reform to global human rights abuses. Under Ethel’s leadership, the foundation grew into a powerful force for change, and her efforts earned her widespread respect and admiration from all corners of the political and social spectrum.
Throughout her life, Ethel continued to champion causes close to her heart, despite enduring a series of personal tragedies that would have crushed a lesser spirit. In addition to losing her beloved husband, Ethel endured the deaths of two of her children: David Kennedy, who died of a drug overdose in 1984, and Michael Kennedy, who tragically passed away in a skiing accident in 1997. These devastating losses only deepened her resolve to fight for justice and support those in need.
Ethel was a staunch advocate for gun control, a cause that became deeply personal following Bobby’s assassination. She co-chaired the Coalition of Gun Control and participated in numerous efforts to reduce gun violence, including pushing for stricter legislation and advocating for victims of gun violence. She was also a committed environmentalist, civil rights activist, and a supporter of various social justice movements. Her work with the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights foundation brought her into contact with human rights defenders and social justice advocates around the world, many of whom viewed her as a symbol of hope and perseverance in the fight for a more just and equitable world.
Ethel’s contributions did not go unnoticed. In 2014, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama, the nation’s highest civilian honor. In presenting the award, President Obama hailed Ethel’s lifetime of service, stating that she had transformed her grief into a force for good and dedicated herself to carrying on her late husband’s legacy. “Ethel’s devotion to human rights and public service is an inspiration to us all,” Obama said. “Her work has touched countless lives and has made our world a better, more just place.”
As the matriarch of the Kennedy family, Ethel guided her children and grandchildren into lives of public service, continuing the Kennedy legacy of political activism and social justice. Many of her children followed in the family’s political footsteps, with notable figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent environmental lawyer and political figure, and Kerry Kennedy, a human rights activist and president of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights foundation, carrying on the family’s tradition of advocacy. Her grandson, Joe Kennedy III, served as a U.S. Congressman for Massachusetts and continues to be active in politics and public service.
Despite the tragedies that befell the Kennedy family over the years, Ethel remained a symbol of resilience and hope. She embodied the values of compassion, justice, and unwavering commitment to social progress. Her deep Catholic faith provided her with strength during the darkest times, and she often spoke of the importance of forgiveness and redemption, even as she campaigned tirelessly for change.
In her later years, Ethel retreated somewhat from the public eye, spending more time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at the Kennedy family’s storied compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. There, she remained a guiding presence in the lives of her large extended family, offering wisdom, love, and support to her descendants as they continued the family’s legacy of public service.
Ethel’s passing marks the end of an era for the Kennedy family, a family that has been at the heart of American politics for more than half a century. Her death is being mourned not just by her loved ones but by countless individuals around the world who were inspired by her work and her unwavering dedication to making the world a better place. In the days following her death, tributes poured in from political leaders, activists, and public figures across the globe, all of whom spoke of Ethel’s indomitable spirit and her profound impact on the world.
Her daughter, Kerry Kennedy, perhaps summed up her mother’s life and legacy best, saying, “My mother was a force of nature. She taught us to fight for justice, to stand up for what is right, and to never back down in the face of adversity. She was the strongest, most loving, most compassionate person I’ve ever known, and her life’s work will continue to inspire generations to come.”
Ethel Kennedy is survived by nine of her children, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Joseph P. Kennedy II, and Rory Kennedy, as well as dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many of whom have carried on the family tradition of public service. Her legacy lives on in the work of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights foundation, in the countless lives she touched through her activism, and in the enduring influence of the Kennedy family on American political and social life.
Though her time on this earth has come to an end, Ethel Kennedy’s impact will be felt for generations. As her family and the world mourn her passing, they also celebrate the incredible life of a woman who, in the face of unspeakable loss and hardship, transformed her grief into a lifelong commitment to justice and a better world for all. Ethel’s story is one of resilience, courage, and unwavering hope, and she will forever be remembered as a trailblazer, a matriarch, and a champion of the downtrodden
