Ethel Kennedy’s cause of death, confirmed

Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and a notable social activist, passed away on October 10, 2024, at the age of 96. Her daughter Kerry announced her death on social media, sharing that Ethel leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.

Born on April 11, 1928, in Chicago, Ethel was the daughter of businessman George Skakel, founder of Great Lakes Carbon Corporation. The family moved to Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1934, where Ethel attended an all-girls academy. Tragedy struck in 1955 when both her parents died in a plane crash.

Ethel married Robert F. Kennedy in 1950, and they had a large family together, welcoming their eleventh child, Rory, just six months after Robert was assassinated in 1968. Their meeting in Quebec, Canada, in 1945, set the stage for a partnership that would blend personal and political passions.

Despite facing significant personal losses, including the deaths of her brother in a crash, her son David from an overdose, and her son Michael in a skiing accident, Ethel remained a tireless advocate for social justice and human rights. She founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, which focuses on human rights advocacy and education. Her daughter Kerry took on the presidency of the organization in 2018, continuing Ethel’s legacy.

Ethel was a strong proponent of gun control and dedicated herself to her family and advocacy work. In recognition of her efforts, President Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014 for her contributions to social justice, environmental protection, and poverty reduction.

Ethel Kennedy’s life was marked by resilience and commitment to her causes, and she will be remembered for her significant contributions to society and her unwavering dedication to her family.