Who are Ethel Kennedy’s children?
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Ethel Kennedy’s passing at the age of 96 on October 10 marks the end of an era, as she was one of the last prominent figures from the Kennedy generation of the mid-20th century. A symbol of resilience and activism, Ethel was the widow of Robert F. Kennedy, the former attorney general and presidential candidate who was assassinated during his 1968 campaign. She was also the sister-in-law of John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, who was assassinated in 1963.
Following the tragic loss of her husband, Ethel co-founded and chaired the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, a legacy supported by some of their eleven children.
Ethel and Robert Kennedy’s Children
The couple had eleven children, listed from oldest to youngest:
- Kathleen (born 1951)
- Joseph (born 1952)
- Robert Jr. (born 1954)
- David (born 1955, died 1984)
- Mary Courtney (born 1956)
- Michael (born 1958, died 1997)
- Mary Kerry (born 1959)
- Christopher (born 1963)
- Maxwell (born 1965)
- Douglas (born 1967)
- Rory (born 1968)
Rory, the youngest, was born six months after her father’s assassination. She is a documentary filmmaker and directed the 2012 film Ethel, which explores her mother’s life.
Sadly, two of Ethel and Robert’s children have passed away: David Anthony died from a drug overdose at age 29, and Michael LeMoyne died in a skiing accident at age 39.
Political Legacy
Many of the Kennedy children have pursued careers in politics, following in their father’s footsteps. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is one of the most notable among them, having been a member of the Democratic Party before running as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential election. His endorsement of Republican candidate Donald Trump after suspending his campaign drew criticism from his siblings, who released a statement expressing their disappointment, stating that his actions betrayed the values upheld by their father.
Kathleen, Ethel’s oldest child, served as the lieutenant governor of Maryland from 1995 to 2003. Joseph P. Kennedy II, the eldest son, was a congressman representing Massachusetts’s 8th district from 1987 to 1999.
Mary Kerry currently serves as the president of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Advocacy group, which her mother founded. Her brothers, Matthew and Douglas, are practicing lawyers, with Matthew having campaigned for Barack Obama’s successful 2008 presidential run. Christopher George is a businessman who has also supported Obama’s campaigns, while Mary Courtney has chosen a life away from politics, living as a private citizen.
Ethel Kennedy’s legacy lives on through her children and the impact they continue to make in various fields, particularly in human rights and politics.
