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Ethel Kennedy, Social Justice Advocate and Widow of Robert F. Kennedy, Passes Away at 96

Ethel Kennedy, Social Justice Advocate and Widow of Robert F. Kennedy, Passes Away at 96
Ethel Kennedy, Social Justice Advocate and Widow of Robert F. Kennedy, Passes Away at 96

Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy and a matriarch of the Kennedy family, passed away at 96. Her grandson, Joe Kennedy III, announced her death, which followed complications from a stroke she suffered a week earlier.

The Kennedy family mourns her loss and recalls her lifelong dedication to social justice and human rights, alongside her role as a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Ethel Kennedy, who was hospitalized after suffering a stroke on October 8, leaves behind a vast family that has continued to honor her legacy.

Ethel was celebrated not only for her family connections but for her personal commitment to civil rights and justice. President Biden honored her as a figure of “optimism and moral courage,” praising her resilience and her ability to inspire Americans, including himself.

Her advocacy for human rights and her moral strength in the face of tragedy marked her as a national icon. Ethel’s public life spanned decades, during which she marched, boycotted, and fought for justice, often reflecting her late husband’s dedication to public service.

As a mother of 11 children, Ethel Kennedy raised her family according to the values of service and courage, embodied by the Kennedys. Her life took a tragic turn after Robert Kennedy’s assassination in 1968, leaving her a widow at age 40 and pregnant with their youngest child.

Ethel Kennedy, Social Justice Advocate and Widow of Robert F. Kennedy, Passes Away at 96

Ethel Kennedy, Social Justice Advocate and Widow of Robert F. Kennedy, Passes Away at 96

Despite the personal devastation, she carried on her husband’s legacy, advocating for human rights and staying true to the Kennedy family motto that “to those who are given much, much will be required.” Her strength in adversity became a defining feature of her public persona.

Throughout her life, Ethel Kennedy faced numerous personal tragedies, including the loss of her parents, her husband, and later two of her sons, David and Michael, to a drug overdose and a skiing accident, respectively.

However, she remained steadfast in her public efforts, founding the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center to continue her husband’s work for justice. She also advocated for gun control and opposed the parole of her husband’s assassin, stating her belief in both forgiveness and the need to prevent further acts of violence.

Despite the challenges she faced, Ethel Kennedy remained a private person, rarely giving interviews. However, in 2008, she publicly supported Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, marking a rare foray into political endorsements.

In 2012, her daughter Rory Kennedy released a documentary about her life, titled Ethel, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The film offered a closer look at Ethel’s personal and public life, showcasing her enduring strength and devotion to family and justice.

Ethel Kennedy’s legacy is that of a woman who faced unimaginable grief but continued to serve her country and uphold the ideals of justice and equality. She was honored by President Obama with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014, a testament to her lifelong contributions to the nation.

Ethel’s story is one of resilience, love, and enduring faith in the face of profound loss, and her influence will continue through the work of her family and the countless lives she touched.

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