Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis died at age 64 on May 19, 1994, after a private battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She passed away at home in Manhattan, New York, and was later buried beside President John F. Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetery. This concise status clarifier presents the verified age at death, date, cause, and immediate context, drawing on authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and clarity for long-term reference.
Age and death date
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was born July 28, 1929 and died on May 19, 1994. She was 64 years old at the time of death. The cause of death was complications from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a fact documented in her obituary and subsequent biographies. She died in her Manhattan apartment and her funeral was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York before burial at Arlington.
Biographic context and legacy
As First Lady from 1961 to 1963, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis reshaped White House culture and historic preservation. After President Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, she returned to New York, married Aristotle Onassis in 1968, and later worked as an editor at Viking Press. Her lifelong dedication to preservation and the arts, combined with her poise under intense public scrutiny, contributed to an enduring global legacy.
Key facts at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | July 28, 1929 | Biographic records |
| Date of death | May 19, 1994 | Obituary |
| Age at death | 64 years | Calculated from dates |
| Place of death | Manhattan, New York, United States | Reported location |
| Cause of death | Complications from non-Hodgkin lymphoma | Medical certification and obituary |
| Burial | Arlington National Cemetery, Section GRF, Site 30 | Cemetery records |
Clarifying common questions
Some readers inquire whether she died in her sleep, in a hospital, or at a specific estate; reliable accounts confirm she died at her Manhattan residence. Others ask about the interval between JFK’s assassination and her death; she survived more than 30 years following 1963, carrying forward prominent cultural work. These clarifications reduce rumor and reinforce factual timelines.
Comparative perspective
Compared with other First Ladies, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis lived into her mid-60s, a age that reflects broader mid-20th-century trends in oncology outcomes. While survival times for non-Hodgkin lymphoma have improved since the 1990s, her case remains a historically notable example of privacy, resilience, and public service under sustained media attention.
Conclusion
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was 64 when she died on May 19, 1994, at her Manhattan home. The cause was non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and she was laid to rest at Arlington beside John F. Kennedy. These verified details, drawn from authoritative sources, provide a durable, factual foundation for understanding her status at death.