The Wisdom of Kennedy Matriarchs Shines in 'Love Story'

The FX miniseries explores how Jackie Onassis and Ethel Kennedy navigated the burdens of fame and public scrutiny.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:09pm

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The FX miniseries 'Love Story' offers a nuanced portrayal of Jackie Onassis and Ethel Kennedy, depicting them as wise, experienced women who understand the challenges of being an intelligent, accomplished woman alongside a famous man. The series explores how these matriarchs grappled with the realities of public life, offering lessons for today's celebrities and public figures.

Why it matters

The story highlights how Jackie and Ethel, despite their privilege, faced constraints and difficult choices as women of their era. Their perspectives on fame, privacy, and the public's insatiable appetite for celebrity offer insights that resonate in our current culture of viral fame and intense media scrutiny.

The details

The series portrays Jackie Onassis as filled with concern for her son John's inability to see himself clearly in the glare of public attention. She worries about his 'willful irresponsibility and, quite possibly, fear.' Ethel Kennedy, played by Jessica Harper, comes across as a tightly wound matriarch who targets Carolyn Bessette's style as a way to assert control and test her ability to handle the burdens of Kennedy fame.

  • The FX miniseries 'Love Story' aired its final episode on Thursday, March 28, 2026.
  • Jackie Onassis passed away in 1994.

The players

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

The former First Lady who displayed an exquisite ease with being watched, and who understood the realities of fame and public life.

Ethel Kennedy

The widow of Robert F. Kennedy, who is portrayed as a tightly wound matriarch who tests Carolyn Bessette's ability to handle the burdens of Kennedy fame.

Carolyn Bessette

The wife of John F. Kennedy Jr., who struggles with the loss of privacy and public scrutiny that comes with marrying into the Kennedy family.

Ann Marie Messina Freeman

Carolyn Bessette's mother, who speaks to the truth about human nature and the sacrifices her daughter is making by marrying John F. Kennedy Jr.

Lauren Bessette

Carolyn's sister, who was also on board the plane that went down with John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn.

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What they’re saying

“Know who you are.”

— Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Former First Lady

“Public's always holding a flower in one hand and a stone in the other. Don't forget that.”

— Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Former First Lady

“Like Jackie, you've been spared the indignity of the world's indifference. You are noticed. And it's now entirely up to you whether to receive this gift — as burdensome as it may be — with grace.”

— Ethel Kennedy, Widow of Robert F. Kennedy

“I know you believe that.”

— Ann Marie Messina Freeman, Carolyn Bessette's mother

The takeaway

The FX miniseries 'Love Story' offers a nuanced portrayal of Jackie Onassis and Ethel Kennedy, depicting them as wise, experienced women who understood the burdens of fame and public scrutiny. Their perspectives provide valuable lessons for today's celebrities and public figures navigating the challenges of being in the public eye.