Quick Read
- Ethel Kennedy passed away on October 10, 2024, at age 96, following a stroke.
- She was the matriarch of the Kennedy family, widow of Robert F. Kennedy, and mother to 11 children and grandmother to 34.
- Kennedy instilled strong values of public service and helping the less fortunate in her family.
- Her grandchildren actively engage in politics, social justice, and human rights advocacy, continuing her legacy.
- Ethel Kennedy herself was involved in human rights and women’s empowerment through initiatives like building schools in Mexico.
WASHINGTON (Azat TV) – Ethel Kennedy, the revered matriarch of one of America’s most prominent political families and a tireless advocate for social justice and human rights, passed away on October 10, 2024, at the age of 96, following a stroke. Her death marked the end of an era, but her profound commitment to public service and the welfare of others continues to resonate through her extensive family, inspiring a new generation of activists and leaders.
Kennedy, the widow of Senator Robert F. “Bobby” Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968, dedicated her life to upholding the values of compassion, equality, and civic engagement. She became a grandmother to 34 children, instilling in them a deep sense of responsibility to address societal challenges. Two days before her passing, her grandson Joe Kennedy III shared news about her health on X, referring to her as “one of my heroes,” a sentiment echoed by many within and outside the family.
A Matriarch’s Enduring Values
Ethel Kennedy married into the Kennedy family and, despite facing immense personal tragedy, steadfastly maintained the family’s tradition of public service. She frequently expressed her hopes for her descendants, telling People in 2012, “I hope the children live full and happy lives and that they think about other people and help those that are less fortunate.” This philosophy became a cornerstone of her legacy, guiding her children and grandchildren in their diverse pursuits.
Her own activism was deeply intertwined with human rights and women’s empowerment. Through her granddaughter Saoirse Róisín Kennedy Hill, who tragically died in 2019, Ethel supported volunteer work aimed at building schools alongside Indigenous communities in Mexico. Her dedication ensured that the family’s public profile was consistently leveraged for advocacy and philanthropic endeavors.
Kennedy Grandchildren Carrying the Torch of Activism
The values Ethel Kennedy championed are visibly manifested in the lives and careers of her numerous grandchildren, many of whom have carved out their own paths in politics, advocacy, and social impact. Joe Kennedy III, son of Joseph Patrick Kennedy II, has followed directly in the family’s political footsteps, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and later as U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland. His career exemplifies the family’s deep-rooted engagement in governance and international relations.
Beyond formal politics, other grandchildren have embraced diverse forms of activism. Conor Richardson Kennedy, son of Robert Francis Kennedy Jr., gained attention for his political activism, including protesting the Keystone XL pipeline in 2013 and, more recently, volunteering to fight in Ukraine in 2022. He emphasized the importance of individual action, stating on Instagram, “Every day, someone there sacrifices everything for a lasting peace. They can’t be asked to act alone.”
Public service also extended to speaking out against misinformation. Maeve Fahey Kennedy McKean, Ethel’s granddaughter, who tragically died in a canoe accident in 2020, along with her mother Kathleen and uncle Joseph II, co-authored an op-ed in Politico in 2019, denouncing her uncle Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s scientifically unfounded stance on vaccines, underscoring a commitment to public health and truth.
Advocacy and Social Impact Across Generations
The commitment to social justice also appears in less conventional roles. Matthew Maxwell Taylor Kennedy Jr., known as Max Jr., emerged as a whistleblower during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. He anonymously reported concerns about the White House Coronavirus Supply-Chain Task Force, alleging in The New Yorker that inexperienced volunteers were tasked with critical supply operations and faced pressure to misrepresent statistics. His decision to reveal his identity highlighted a personal dedication to accountability and transparency.
Michaela Andrea Kennedy-Cuomo, daughter of Mary Kerry Kennedy, has become a business owner and an advocate for a greater understanding of “the whole spectrum of sexualities,” as she shared on Instagram in 2021. Her work with her brand Mic Loves Me and her engagement with figures like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Ripple of Hope Award Gala in 2022 underscore a modern approach to social impact and advocacy for marginalized communities.
Even those pursuing careers in the arts, such as Bobby Kennedy III, a film and theater director, have articulated a desire to inspire civic engagement among younger generations. His film, Fear and Loathing in Aspen (2021), starring his stepmother Cheryl Hines, aimed to motivate 20- and 30-year-olds to re-engage with politics.
Ethel Kennedy’s family found comfort in knowing she was reunited with loved ones who had passed prematurely, including her husband Bobby, and grandchildren David Anthony Kennedy, Michael LeMoyne Kennedy, Saoirse Róisín Kennedy Hill, Maeve Fahey Kennedy McKean, and Maeve’s son Gideon. The family’s statement reflected a profound sense of peace in her passing, knowing her legacy would endure.
Ethel Kennedy’s life, marked by personal resilience and unwavering dedication, established a powerful precedent for her descendants. Her vision of a more just and compassionate society continues to manifest through her grandchildren’s diverse efforts in public service, activism, and advocacy, ensuring that the “ripple of hope” she championed remains a vibrant force for change.