Ethel Kennedy, an influential woman in United States, died on October 10 local time at the age ·of 96. Known as the "Matriarch of the Kennedy Family", Ethel was the eldest member of the Kennedy family until her death.
Like her sister-in-law Jacqueline · Kennedy, former United States attorney general Robert · Kennedy (often referred to as Bobby ·Kennedy) Ethel was also a woman who was often mentioned in the United States's most prominent political family, "the other Kennedy widow."
Ethel's daughter Kelly · Kennedy posted on social media on the 10th, announcing that her mother died of complications caused by a stroke. "A lifelong commitment to social justice and human rights," Kelly said of her mother, "and a determination to raise 11 children and lead a large family of 34 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren." "Please remember our Mother in your hearts and pray for us."
Grandson Joseph · Kennedy III also posted on social media informing the outside world of Ethel's passing, "We lovingly announce the death of our amazing grandmother, Ethel · Kennedy. She passed away this morning from complications caused by a stroke last week. ”
Joseph · Kennedy III posted a "family photo" on social media in April to celebrate the 96th birthday of his "greatest grandmother in the world."
It can be seen that this family is really prosperous, and dozens of people have stuffed the living room full.
Although Ethel was considered happy and comfortable in her later years, she also experienced endless heartache.
Ethel and her husband had 11 children (the youngest daughter, Rory, was born after her father's assassination), but two of them died young. finally looked forward to the growth of the remaining 9 children, and in 1984, his son David died of a drug overdose; In 1997, his son Michael was killed in a skiing accident.
In other words, Ethel has experienced the loss of a child four times in his life, and it is not easy to survive.
One of Ethel's children has become particularly famous lately, and that is Robert Jr· · Kennedy, who had wanted to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential election.
But just after the ballots in some states were printed, he decided to give up and turn in favor of Donald · Trump. It's just that soon after a scandal broke out, that is, an affair with a young female reporter.
Although the turmoil gradually passed, his marriage to his third wife, Cheryl · Hines, was also in jeopardy.
It is generally believed that Robert Jr.'s emotionally restless state is very similar to that of his father or the male elders of his family.
One of the reasons for Ethel's inner anguish was that she had a romantic husband, "whose life was full of tragedy, and her knowledge of his many affairs made her miserable." But she tolerated Bobby's deception because she knew from the beginning that 'the Kennedys had no monogamous traditions.'" ”
Bobby has been in a relationship with actors Kim · Novak, Lee · Remick, and singers Claudina · Lange, and he also believes he has an affair with the famous Marilyn · Monroe, although his presidential brother is also inextricably linked to the star.
In addition, Ethel had to endure rumors that her husband was suspected of having an unusual relationship with her sister-in-law, Jacqueline, who became a widow. "She knew that a man who married the Kennedy family would have to pay the price of enduring infidelity, and that under an unspoken contract, she had to remain silent."
Ethel endured until another blow struck in 1968, when her husband was shot and killed in a Los Angeles hotel at the age of 42 after winning a presidential primary in California.
After coping with all kinds of bereavement, Ethel chose to be strong, so much so that one comment said, "She is the most relieved widow I have ever met." ”
Ethel remained a surviving member of the Kennedy family and did not remarry, although there were rumors that she was "in love" with singer Andy · Williams.
In 2014, then-President Barack · Obama awarded Ethel the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her decades of work to improve the lives of young people along the Anacostia River.