Ethel Kennedy Death & Obitary: Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy and matriarch of the Kennedy family, passed away on October 10, 2024, at the age of 96. Her death followed complications from a stroke suffered the week before. Her daughter, Kerry Kennedy, shared the news in a heartfelt statement, expressing solace in the belief that Ethel was reunited with loved ones, including her husband Robert, and her children David and Michael.
A Life of Love and Loss
Born Ethel Skakel on April 11, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, Ethel grew up in a wealthy family. In 1950, she married Robert F. Kennedy, a rising political star who would go on to serve as U.S. Attorney General, senator from New York, and a leading Democratic presidential candidate. After Robert’s assassination in 1968, Ethel was left to raise their 11 children, two of whom—David and Michael—predeceased her in tragic circumstances.
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The Kennedy family endured immense personal loss, yet Ethel’s strength and resilience became defining traits. She faced not only the violent loss of her husband but also the deaths of her nephew John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1999, her daughter-in-law Mary Richardson Kennedy in 2012, and two granddaughters—Saoirse Kennedy in 2019 and Maeve Kennedy Townsend McKean, who drowned with her son Gideon in 2020.
A Legacy of Faith and Advocacy
Ethel Kennedy’s devout Catholic faith was central to her life and sustained her through these tragedies. In a 2012 interview, she credited her ability to endure with living in the moment and relying on her beliefs. Her faith also informed her lifelong dedication to social justice, civil rights, and global human rights advocacy.
In 1981, Ethel founded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization, continuing her late husband’s legacy of championing social justice and compassion. She was a passionate advocate for civil rights, environmental causes, and global human rights, using her platform to promote awareness of issues affecting marginalized communities.
A Matriarch of American History
Ethel’s large family and commitment to public service helped maintain the Kennedy family’s prominence in American politics and activism. Her son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recently garnered attention with his campaign for the U.S. presidency, a testament to the enduring influence of the Kennedy legacy.
Ethel Kennedy will be remembered not only for her resilience in the face of unimaginable loss but also for her commitment to family, faith, and justice. Her role as a matriarch of one of America’s most storied families and her contributions to human rights will leave a lasting legacy.
Conclusion
Ethel Kennedy’s life was marked by profound sorrow but also by extraordinary strength and unwavering dedication to her family and the causes she championed. Her legacy will continue through her family’s ongoing public service and the work of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization. As the matriarch of the Kennedy family, Ethel leaves behind a profound imprint on American history, characterized by her resilience, faith, and tireless advocacy for justice.