After her husband was killed in 1968, Ethel committed her life to public service and human rights.
Sen. Robert F. Kennedy’s wife, Ethel Kennedy, has died. She was 96 years old. In a statement sent through X (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday, October 10, Ethel’s grandson Joe Kennedy III shared the news and the reason of her death.
Find out more about Ethel’s family, job, and life below.
What did Ethel Kennedy do?
Ethel was married to the late Robert F. Kennedy, who was killed in June 1968. After her husband died, Ethel gave her life to helping people and working for their rights. Later, the woman from Chicago started the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, a non-profit group.
What caused Ethel Kennedy’s death?
A tweet from Ethel’s grandson Joe says that she died of problems “related to a stroke” she had a week before….
Joe tweeted, “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our beloved grandmother, Ethel Kennedy.” “She died this morning from problems caused by a stroke she had last week.” Our mother worked her whole life for human rights and social justice. She leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and many cousins and nephews who all loved her very much.
In his statement, Joe also said that the Kennedy family is “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.”
Joe said in his tweet, “Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.”
Joe told them two days ago that Ethel had a stroke and was in the hospital.
“Sad to say, she had a stroke in her sleep on Thursday morning,” Joe wrote in a separate tweet on October 8. She was taken to a hospital nearby and is now getting care there. They are making her feel good, giving her the best care, and having her family around her.
At the end of his speech, Joe said that Ethel was “a strong woman who has led a remarkably fulfilling life” and that the Kennedy family was “looking after her.”
Sharing some news about one of my heroes. pic.twitter.com/kcSqSNfabC
— Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) October 8, 2024
The children of Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy
Kathleen, Joseph II, Robert Jr., Michael, Kerry, Chris, Max, David, Courtney, Douglas, and Rory Kennedy are the 11 children Ethel had with her late husband.
