Kennedy had been hospitalized after suffering a stroke on Oct. 3, her family said.
Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III, D-Mass., her grandson, said in a statement posted on X, “It is with our hearts full of love that we announce the passing of our amazing grandmother, Ethel Kennedy.”
“She died this morning from complications related to a stroke suffered last week,” Joe Kennedy said. “Along with a lifetime’s work in social justice and human rights, our mother leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly.”
Ethel Kennedy, he said, “was a devout Catholic and a daily communicant, and we are comforted in knowing she is reunited with the love of her life, our father, Robert F. Kennedy; her children David and Michael; her daughter-in-law Mary; her grandchildren Maeve and Saoirse; and her great-grandchildren Gideon and Josie.”
“Please keep her in your hearts and prayers,” he added.
In a statement, President Joe Biden called Ethel Kennedy “an American icon -- a matriarch of optimism and moral courage, an emblem of resilience and service. Devoted to family and country, she had a spine of steel and a heart of gold that inspired millions of Americans, including me and Jill.”
Biden praised her for “turning pain into purpose” after her husband’s assassination and “continuing his march toward civil rights and social justice, an end to poverty at home, and securing peace abroad -- all while raising their 11 children.”
“Four years later, when I lost my own wife and infant daughter, Ethel was always there for me and my sons,” he said. “She helped us find strength and perseverance. She taught us how to channel grief into the service of a greater good.”
A Life of Tragedy and Triumph
Ethel Skakel Kennedy was born on April 11, 1928, in Chicago to George Skakel, a Protestant, and his devoutly Catholic wife, Ann Brannack Skakel. The family later moved to Connecticut, as her father became a successful coal magnate. Ethel and Robert Kennedy were married on June 17, 1950, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greenwich.
The matriarch of one of the most prominent U.S. political families not only lost her husband to an assassin’s bullet in 1968, but also her brother-in-law, President John F. Kennedy, in 1963.
When her husband was assassinated while he sought the Democratic nomination for president, Ethel Kennedy was pregnant with their youngest child, born six months after his death.
A Legacy of Activism and Advocacy
Ethel Kennedy, a devoted wife and mother, was also a tireless advocate for social justice and human rights. After her husband’s assassination, she established the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights to carry on his legacy of fighting for social justice and human rights around the world. The center continues to work on a range of issues including poverty, human rights, and environmental justice, reflecting Ethel’s unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
Ethel Kennedy’s dedication to social justice and human rights extended beyond her work with the Robert F. Kennedy Center. She was a vocal advocate for gun control, environmental protection, and social justice. Her efforts were recognized in 2014 when she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama for her lifetime of work on these causes.
A Family of Tragedy and Resilience
Ethel Kennedy’s life was marked by immense loss. In addition to the assassinations of her husband and brother-in-law, she also experienced the deaths of several other family members in tragic circumstances, including her parents, her brother, her son David Kennedy, her son Michael Kennedy, and her nephew John F. Kennedy Jr., all in separate plane crashes or accidents. She also lost her granddaughter Saoirse Kennedy Hill in 2019 to an apparent overdose.
Despite these devastating losses, Ethel Kennedy never wavered in her faith and her commitment to family. She found solace in her strong Catholic faith and her love for her family. She was a devout Catholic and a daily communicant. She was also a pillar of strength for her children, offering them love and support during their darkest moments. In her later years, she became a role model for the importance of family, resilience, and faith in the face of adversity.
Ethel Kennedy’s Lasting Legacy
Ethel Kennedy’s legacy is one of activism, advocacy, and resilience. She was a powerful voice for social justice and human rights, and her tireless work helped to make the world a better place. She was also a devoted wife and mother who raised 11 children and provided them with unwavering support and guidance. Ethel Kennedy's unwavering commitment to family and social justice will continue to inspire generations to come. Despite the immense tragedies she endured, Ethel Kennedy’s life was a testament to the power of faith, family, and love. She will be remembered as a compassionate woman who dedicated her life to making the world a better place. Her legacy will live on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom share her passion for social justice and her unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
