Key Date and Context
Jacqueline Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis on October 20, 1968, in a private ceremony on the Greek island of Skorpios. The marriage occurred nearly five years after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and followed years of close friendship and mutual support during her post-White House years. The union surprised many observers and reshaped public narratives about her privacy, grief, and public role.
Background to the Marriage
Before marrying Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy spent several years focused on raising her children, managing the public legacy of JFK, and preserving his historical reputation. Her interactions with Onassis, a wealthy Greek shipping magnate, began in the early 1960s while she was still First Lady, when mutual friends arranged social introductions. Their relationship developed gradually and remained largely private until plans for marriage became public in 1968.
Timeline of the Courtship
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Initial social introductions | Meeting while JFK was president laid groundwork; showed early mutual respect. |
| 1964–1967 | Continued friendship and private visits | Spent time together at Onassis properties; deepened personal connection away from media. |
| Spring 1968 | Engagement and public announcement | Engagement confirmed by both parties; preparations for a private wedding began. |
| October 20, 1968 | Wedding on Skorpios | Marriage formalized in a small ceremony; marked her return to public view under new circumstances. |
The Wedding Ceremony and Immediate Aftermath
The wedding took place on Skorpios, Onassis’s private island, in a ceremony attended by a small circle of family and close friends. Jacqueline wore a simple, understated dress and reportedly sought to keep the event private. The marriage was legally recognized under Greek law and drew worldwide attention once announced. In its immediate aftermath, she balanced new responsibilities as Mrs. Onassis with ongoing commitments to her children and cultural interests.
Life as Mrs. Onassis
During her marriage to Onassis, Jacqueline maintained a degree of public discretion while participating in select social and charitable events aligned with his business and philanthropic interests. She continued to safeguard JFK’s legacy, which remained central to her public identity. The marriage lasted until Onassis’s death in 1975, after which she largely withdrew from public life, returning to more private pursuits.
Legacy and Public Perception
Over time, historians and biographers have framed her marriage to Onassis as a chapter of personal healing and stability rather than a defining political or cultural moment. It demonstrated her capacity to rebuild life after profound loss while preserving autonomy over her narrative. The relationship is often examined alongside broader discussions about grief, privacy, and the roles of former first ladies.