Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and a dedicated advocate for social causes, passed away on Thursday (October 10) at the age of 96. Her death was announced by her family, following a stroke she suffered on October 3.
Born Ethel Skakel on April 11, 1928, in Chicago, Kennedy was the sixth of seven children of coal magnate George Skakel and Ann Brannack Skakel. She met Robert F. Kennedy in 1945 at a ski resort in Quebec, and they were married five years later. The couple had 11 children together.
Kennedy's life was marked by both personal and public tragedy. Her parents were killed in a plane crash in 1955. In 1968, her husband, Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated while running for president. Despite these hardships, Kennedy remained dedicated to her family and public service.
After her husband's death, Kennedy founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. She worked tirelessly for causes including gun control and human rights. In 2014, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama for her efforts.
Kennedy's family released a statement after her hospitalization, saying, "She has had a great summer and transition into fall. Every day, she enjoyed time with her children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was able to get out on the water, visit the pier, and enjoy many lunches and dinners with family. It has been a gift to all of us and to her as well."
Kennedy had recently enjoyed seeing many of her relatives before falling ill. Despite the tragedies she faced, Kennedy sustained herself through her Catholic faith and devotion to her family.