• Faith: Christian - Catholic
• Career: Human Rights Advocate
• Birthday:  April 11, 1928
• Date of Death:  October 10, 2024

Ethel Kennedy was an American human rights advocate. She was the widow of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy and the sister-in-law of President John F. Kennedy. After her husband's assassination in 1968, she founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, a non-profit organization dedicated to his vision of a just and peaceful world. In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Ethel Skakel was born into a wealthy, Catholic family in Chicago. Her parents, George and Ann Skakel, were devout Catholics who instilled a strong religious foundation in their seven children. The Skakels lived in Greenwich, Connecticut, where George Skakel founded Great Lakes Carbon Corporation, amassing significant wealth. Ethel attended the all-girls Greenwich Academy before transferring to the elite Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart in New York.

In 1950, Ethel met Robert F. Kennedy, the younger brother of future President John F. Kennedy, while on a ski trip with her college roommate, Jean Kennedy. Ethel and Robert fell in love quickly and were married in 1950. The couple shared a deep bond, particularly in their shared Catholic faith, which played a crucial role in their family life. Together, they would have 11 children over the next 18 years, making their family one of the most prominent and admired in American politics.

Ethel stood by Robert’s side as he rose to prominence, first as Attorney General under his brother’s administration and later as a U.S. Senator from New York. Ethel was not just a supportive wife but also a political partner, actively campaigning for her husband and speaking on behalf of the causes they both held dear.

In 1968, Robert was assassinated while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination. In the aftermath of Robert’s assassination, Ethel committed herself to continuing his legacy of service and social justice. She founded the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial in 1968, which later became the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, an organization dedicated to advancing human rights around the world. Ethel believed that through this work, Robert’s vision of a more just and compassionate society could be realized, even in his absence.

While Ethel Kennedy never held political office, her role as a public figure was significant. She became an advocate for human rights, working with organizations to support disenfranchised communities and promote social justice. Through the Robert F. Kennedy Center, she worked tirelessly to bring attention to issues like poverty, racial injustice, and inequality. The organization continues to work globally, promoting human rights and empowering activists.

In addition to her philanthropic work, Ethel Kennedy was a passionate supporter of the arts. She believed that the arts had the power to bring people together, promote understanding, and inspire social change. Ethel was actively involved in promoting cultural initiatives and supporting the creative community, including hosting events and fundraising for various causes.

Ethel Kennedy’s lifelong dedication to public service and human rights did not go unnoticed. In 2009, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. This recognition was a testament to her tireless work in advancing human rights and her enduring commitment to her late husband’s legacy.

Throughout her life, Ethel received numerous other awards, including the United Nations Association's Global Leadership Award and the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award, named after her husband’s famous call for social change.

Ethel Kennedy’s life was deeply centered around her family. Her 11 children—Kathleen, Joseph, Robert Jr., David, Courtney, Michael, Kerry, Christopher, Max, Douglas, and Rory—became the focus of her life after Robert’s death. She was a loving and devoted mother, determined to keep the family united and strong in the face of adversity. Despite the tragedies and challenges they faced, Ethel’s children went on to pursue successful careers in public service, law, business, and activism, continuing the Kennedy tradition of leadership and service.

Her role as matriarch of the Kennedy family extended beyond her immediate children. Ethel played a crucial role in maintaining the legacy of the Kennedy clan, offering support and guidance to her grandchildren and other members of the extended family. Her home in Hickory Hill, Virginia, became a gathering place for the Kennedys, where Ethel’s indomitable spirit and love for family were always present.

In her later years, Ethel Kennedy remained active in public life, continuing to advocate for the causes she held dear. She was a prominent figure at events honoring her late husband and other members of the Kennedy family. On October 10, 2024, Ethel Kennedy passed away at the age of 96, after suffering a major stroke. Her death marked the end of an era for the Kennedy family, as Ethel was one of the last living links to the Camelot era of American politics.

Ethel Kennedy's Religious Beliefs

Ethel Kennedy’s Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life. She attended daily Mass, even in the midst of her busy schedule as a wife, mother, and advocate. Her faith provided her with the strength to endure the many tragedies and losses that marked her life, including the deaths of several of her children—David in 1984 and Michael in 1997. Ethel’s belief in the afterlife and the teachings of the Catholic Church helped her find peace and purpose amidst the suffering.

Her commitment to Catholicism also extended to her work in social justice. Ethel believed in the Catholic principles of compassion, charity, and the dignity of every human life. She often spoke about how her faith inspired her to fight for the marginalized and oppressed, particularly in her work through the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. Ethel’s spiritual life and her dedication to helping others were inseparable, driving her to live a life of service and humility.