Robert F. Kennedy

Robert F. Kennedy was born on November 20, 1925, in Brookline, Massachusetts, to a rich political family. He was an American lawyer, politician, and President John F. Kennedy’s brother. He served as the 64th United States Attorney General from 1961 to 1964. He attended Harvard University and the University of Virginia for his education. He was a Democratic Party member and a symbol of modern American liberalism. In 1964, he ran for the Senate from New York and was a candidate for the Democratic nomination. Let’s honor this political personality here.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Robert Francis Kennedy

Nickname:

R.F.K., Bobby

Birth date:

November 20, 1925

Death date:

June 6, 1968 (age 42)

Zodiac Sign:

Scorpio

Height:

5' 10"

Net Worth:

$100 million

Background

Robert F. Kennedy was the son of Rose and Joseph P. Kennedy. He attended Milton Academy before graduating from Harvard University with a degree in government in 1948 and a law degree from the University of Virginia Law School three years later. Kennedy married Ethel Skakel of Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1950, the daughter of Ann Brannack Skakel and George Skakel, the founder of Great Lakes Carbon Corporation. Skakel and Kennedy had 11 children together.

In 1952, Kennedy managed his older brother John’s successful U.S. Senate campaign from Massachusetts, as well as John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign. During President John F. Kennedy’s administration, he was appointed Attorney General. Attorney General Kennedy successfully prosecuted organized crime. He was also dedicated to assisting African Americans in gaining the right to vote, attend integrated schools, and access public facilities. He believed that voting was the key to attaining racial justice and worked with President Kennedy in drafting the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the most far-reaching civil rights act since the Reconstruction. He was elected to the U.S. Senate from New York in 1964. Kennedy ran a strong statewide campaign and won the election by 719,000 votes. . During his Senate years, Kennedy was consumed by the struggle to end the Vietnam War. As a freshman Senator, Kennedy initially backed the Johnson administration’s Vietnam policies, but he also advocated for a greater commitment to a negotiated settlement and a renewed emphasis on economic and political transformation within South Vietnam. Senator Kennedy later expressed major reservations about President Johnson’s handling of the war. He publicly defied the Johnson administration by advocating that all parties (including the Viet Cong’s political wing, the National Liberation Front) participate in South Vietnam’s political life.

Kennedy declared his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination on March 16, 1968. He won crucial primaries in Indiana and Nebraska and spoke to adoring crowds across the country. He was assassinated on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California, just after winning the state’s important Democratic primary. He was 42 years old at the time.

Career timeline

1944
The Naval Service Enlistment

Kennedy enlists in the U.S. Naval Service Reserve as a seaman apprentice.

1952
The Appointed to Senate Committee

Kennedy is appointed to the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

1960
The Presidential Campaign Team

Kennedy works on John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign team and plays a crucial role.

1961
The Appointment as Attorney General

Kennedy is appointed Attorney General by President John F. Kennedy's administration.

1965
The Move to Senate

Kennedy wins the senatorial election and represents New York.

1968
The Presidential Bid

Kennedy declares his candidacy and wins some states in the primary election but before it is concluded, he is murdered.

Why We Love Robert F. Kennedy

  1. He advocated for Civil Rights

    Kennedy was a campaigner for civil rights for all Americans. He did not believe in segregation, throughout his career he preached inclusion of all races.

  2. He is anti-war

    Kennedy devoted himself to preaching against armed conflict. He believed some wars could be avoided by the power of negotiation. He played a crucial role in seeing an end to the Vietnam war.

  3. He was impactful

    Kennedy was not in politics to better his life but to make an impact. According to him, he would have done better in life judging from the family he came from. He had the privilege to do better in life but he was in politics to better the world and not for his selfish gains.

5 Surprising Facts

  1. He did not do well in school

    Kennedy attended several schools and failed the third grade before graduating from Milton Academy.

  2. He tried to overthrow Castro

    Kennedy was in charge of the plot to overthrow Fidel Castro of Cuba.

  3. He was an inexperienced mountain climber

    One of Kennedy’s favorite pastimes was mountain climbing.

  4. He approved surveillance activities

    Kennedy approved for the F.B.I. to track and monitor Martin Luther King and his associates.

  5. He played football at Harvard

    During his time at Harvard, Kennedy played on the school team before he had an injury.

Robert F. Kennedy FAQs

What were Robert F. Kennedy’s last words?

His last words were “Don’t lift me.”

Why was Robert F. Kennedy shot?

His shooter believed he betrayed his country Palestine for his support of Israel in the war that started a year before.

How many wives did Robert F. Kennedy have?

He only had one wife.

Robert F. Kennedy’s birthday dates

YearDateDay
2024November 20Wednesday
2025November 20Thursday
2026November 20Friday
2027November 20Saturday
2028November 20Monday

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.