Who Was Bobby Kennedy Married To

Who Was Bobby Kennedy Married To

Bobby Kennedy was married to Ethel Skakel, whom he met in 1947 and wed on June 17, 1950. Their marriage produced 11 children and endured until his assassination in 1968. Ethel remained a prominent advocate and private matriarch in the years that followed. This overview presents verified details about their partnership, family, and public context.

Key Relationship Facts

Meeting and Courtship

Bobby Kennedy met Ethel Skakel in 1947 while working as a law clerk and she was a student at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, Connecticut. Ethel was the daughter of George Skakel, a wealthy businessman and founder of the Great Lakes Carbon Corporation. The couple began seeing each other regularly in 1948, and their engagement was announced in February 1950. Their courtship was marked by frequent visits to the Skakel family home in Greenwich and time spent at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port.

Wedding and Early Marriage

The wedding took place on June 17, 1950, at St. Mary's Church in Greenwich, Connecticut, in a ceremony attended by family and close friends. After the ceremony, the couple honeymooned in Europe before settling in a modest home in McLean, Virginia, where Bobby began his work in the Justice Department during the Truman administration. The early years of marriage involved frequent moves between Washington, D.C., and New York as Bobby advanced in his political career, raising young children amid intense public attention.

Family Life and Children

Bobby and Ethel had 11 children together, born between 1951 and 1965: Kathleen, Joseph, Robert Jr., David, Erin, Michael, Kerry, Christopher, Reed, Patrick, and Timothy. Several of their children have pursued careers in law, activism, writing, and public service. David Kennedy died in 1984 from a drug overdose, profoundly affecting the family and drawing additional media attention to their private struggles.

Children at a Glance

Public Life and Political Role

During Bobby’s tenure as Attorney General (1961–1963) and subsequent U.S. Senate campaign and service (1965–1968), Ethel managed household duties and child-rearing while also participating in campaign events and representing the family in public appearances. She was known for her grace under pressure and became a steady presence during the highly charged political climate of the early 1960s. After Bobby’s assassination on June 5, 1968, Ethel focused on protecting his legacy, supporting their children, and, in later decades, advocating for issues such as substance abuse awareness and social justice.

Legacy and Later Years

Ethel Skakel Kennedy remained active in philanthropy and human rights work for decades. She established the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Awards and played a key role in the creation of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. She lived a long private life, passing away in 2019 at age 89. Her enduring partnership with Bobby Kennedy is frequently cited as a central personal foundation that shaped his commitment to public service and justice reforms.