Ethel Kennedy dead at 96: JFK's sister-in-law and matriarch of the political dynasty passes away after stroke

Ethel Kennedy, matriarch of the Kennedy dynasty and widow of former United States Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, has died at the age of 96.

The sister-in-law of the late President John F. Kennedy had suffered a stroke in her sleep last week and was rushed to hospital. 

She was one of the last links to the 'Camelot' era of JFK's presidency.

The third of her 11 children - Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - ran a high-profile campaign for president in 2024 as an independent candidate, before endorsing Donald Trump in August.

His campaign, and his views on vaccines, led to division in the Kennedy clan with other members throwing their support behind the Democratic nominee.

Ethel Kennedy was widowed at the age of 40 in 1968 when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles while running for the Democratic presidential nomination. 

She was pregnant with their youngest child at the time.

She never remarried and dedicated the rest of her life to philanthropy and issues including gun control. 

After RFK was killed, she founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and worked tirelessly for world peace.

She also spent her summers on Cape Cod in the family's storied compound in Hyannis Port, but largely stayed out of public life. 

Her death was announced by former Rep. Joe Kennedy III - a grandchild - who now serves as the U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland under President Joe Biden.

'It is with our hearts full of love that we announce the passing of our amazing grandmother, Ethel Kennedy,' Joe Kennedy said on X. 'She died this morning from complications related to a stroke suffered last week.' 

'Along with a lifetime's work in social justice and human rights, our mother leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly,' he said.

'She was a devout Catholic and a daily communicant, and we are 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 Kennedy said. 'Please keep her in your hearts and prayers.' 

It was in 1945 when a 17-year-old Ethel became friends and roommates with Jean Kennedy at the Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart.

The same year, she was introduced to Jean's brother Robert during a skiing trip in Quebec, Canada.

At the time, Robert was dating Ethel's sister Patricia. But when that relationship came to an end, she and Robert started seeing each other.

In 2012, she appeared in a documentary about her life directed by her youngest child, Rory.

In 2014, then-President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States for 'advancing the cause of social justice, human rights, environmental protection, and poverty reduction.'

During the ceremony, he said she has 'touched the lives of countless people around the world with her generosity and grace.'

In 2021, she released a rare public statement opposing the release of her husband's  assassin Sirhan Sirhan.

The California parole board recommended he be freed, but the move was blocked by Gov. Gavin Newsom. 

In April, Kennedy celebrated her 96th birthday surrounded by her family including children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.