Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's Friend Recalls Her Kindness After His Sister Died

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Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's close friend Guy Clark shared a moving story about the late publicist's compassionate gesture after his sister died. Clark recalled that Carolyn bought an expensive pair of earrings for his mother on Mother's Day, even though she had never met his mother, as a kind gesture to comfort him after his loss.

Why it matters

This story provides a rare glimpse into Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's kind and thoughtful nature, which is often overshadowed by the public fascination with her relationship and tragic death with John F. Kennedy Jr. It humanizes Carolyn and shows the compassion she extended to those around her, even strangers.

The details

Clark got to know Carolyn while working at Cartier's Fifth Avenue Mansion in New York City. After his sister died in December, Clark returned to work around Mother's Day. Carolyn came in and asked Clark to show her what he would buy his mother for the holiday. He picked out a pair of $1,800 earrings, and Carolyn bought them, then walked from Cartier to Clark's home in Sutton Place to have the doorman deliver them to his mother, saying they were for her since Clark had just lost a child.

• Clark's sister died in December.
• Clark returned to work around Mother's Day.
• Carolyn visited Cartier and bought the earrings for Clark's mother on Mother's Day.

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