A prominent voice for social justice, Ethel Kennedy died at the age of 96, her family announced in heartfelt messages on social media.
Ethel Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy’s widow, passed away in Boston, surrounded by her loved ones. Her death marks the end of a remarkable life shaped by activism, resilience, and deep devotion to her family.
Ethel’s grandson, Joseph “Joe” Kennedy III, shared the news on Twitter, “She died this morning from complications related to a stroke suffered last week.” He noted that she leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.
Joseph described his grandmother as a devout Catholic and daily communicant, finding comfort in the belief that she is now reunited with her late husband, Robert, as well as her sons David and Michael, daughter-in-law, Mary, grandchildren, Maeve and Saoirse, and great-grandchildren, Gideon and Josie.
Joseph’s uncle, Robert Kennedy Jr. also expressed his loss on the same platform, reflecting on his mother’s vibrant spirit despite her recent health decline, “She never lost her sense of fun, her humor, her spark, her spunk, and her joie de vivre.”
Robert Jr. also mentioned that Ethel often spoke about reuniting with her deceased loved ones, “She was never more enthusiastic about the afterlife than when she considered that she would also be reunited with her many dogs, including 16 Irish setters — all conveniently named “Rusty.”
More tributes poured in, celebrating Ethel’s life and legacy. Maria Shriver, her niece, shared a heartfelt message, “What a life she led. What a huge family she created and leaves behind. I’m so glad I was able to laugh with her this summer, to share memories with her.”
Maria went on to describe Ethel’s remarkable qualities, calling her fearless, funny, smart, an incredible athlete, a patriot, and deeply in love with Robert, whom she fondly called “Uncle Bobby.”
She also highlighted her aunt’s deep spirituality, “When it got tough, and there were a lot of tough times, she dug in. She relied on her faith like my own mother.”
Following Maria’s tribute, Ethel’s granddaughter, Michaela Kennedy Cuomo, shared a photo on her Instagram Story, showing her hand holding Ethel’s, adorned with a large diamond ring. The image, set to Taylor Swift’s song “Starlight,” captured their closeness in Ethel’s final moments.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Bill Clinton expressed his and Hillary’s condolences, joining Ethel’s family and people worldwide in honoring her long and meaningful life. He described Ethel as a “fierce fighter for justice and equality, a warm, wonderful woman, a great mother, and a dear friend.”
Bill praised Ethel’s commitment to carrying on her late husband’s unfinished work through the establishment of RFK Human Rights, noting that she was “fearless and indefatigable, a true force of nature.”
Beyond her public life, Bill fondly remembered that Ethel would send “the best Valentine’s Day cards ever” to their family. “Hillary and I loved her very much and will always be honored by the friendship, kindness, and support she gave us through the years,” he added.
Ethel was born to a wealthy family on April 11, 1928, in Chicago. Her father, George Skakel, built a successful coal business, leading the family to settle in a large estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, where Ethel grew up with her six siblings.
She attended the all-girls Greenwich Academy in Greenwich, followed by the Convent of the Sacred Heart in the Bronx, and later, the Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart. It was at college that she met Jean Kennedy, and they became close friends and roommates. This friendship would soon change the course of her life.
In 1945, Ethel, then 17, met Jean’s brother, Robert, during a skiing trip at Mount Tremblant Resort in Quebec, Canada. At the time, Robert was dating Ethel’s sister, Patricia Skakel. However, after that relationship ended, Ethel and Robert began dating, marking the beginning of their lifelong partnership.
Ethel’s dedication extended far beyond her marriage to Robert. She gained public recognition for her support of John F. Kennedy’s campaign, Robert’s brother, and later her husband’s successful run for a U.S. Senate seat representing New York.
Ethel even intensified her activism after her husband was assassinated in June 1968, shortly after he announced his presidential candidacy.
Ethel was a tireless advocate for social justice and human rights, leaving an enduring legacy that shaped the family’s deep commitment to humanitarian causes for generations. Robert Jr. recalled, “From the day she met my father, her new family observed that she was ‘more Kennedy than the Kennedys.'”
Ethel’s death followed her recent hospitalization due to a stroke she suffered in her sleep, according to Joseph, who shared the news on social media on October 9. He revealed that Ethel had enjoyed a wonderful summer and transition into fall, but her health had unexpectedly taken a turn.
He also revealed that his grandmother was resting comfortably and “getting the best care possible,” while surrounded by her family.
Before Ethel’s hospitalization, she managed to celebrate her birthday last April. In a heartwarming photo on X, Joseph showed the world how she enjoyed her special day with her big family. He captioned the post, “Happy 96th to the World’s most amazing Gramma!! 🎂.”
Ethel’s daughter, Kerry Kennedy, also celebrated the matriarch’s birthday, highlighting some of her greatest achievements. She penned on Instagram, “My mother founded @rfkhumanrights in the fall of 1969 to carry forth my father’s legacy. For more than half a century, my mom has been a champion for justice, standing with human rights defenders around the globe.”
Kerry, president of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, stated that Ethel’s bravery and dedication to human rights inspired the team daily. The non-profit organization works to ensure government accountability and advocates for human rights education and youth organizing.
