Jackie Kennedy's Iconic Pink Suit Locked Away Until 2103

The first lady's blood-stained outfit from the day of JFK's assassination has become a symbol of the tragedy, but won't be publicly viewed for decades.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 1:30pm

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Jackie Kennedy was wearing a double-breasted wool pink suit when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. Despite the suit being stained with her husband's blood, Jackie refused to remove it, wanting the public to "see what they have done." The suit, a Chanel-approved replica, is now preserved at the National Archives but won't be publicly viewed until 2103 per the request of the Kennedy family.

Why it matters

Jackie Kennedy's iconic pink suit has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the tragic assassination of President Kennedy. The first lady's insistence on wearing the bloodied outfit highlighted the immense personal grief she was experiencing, while also serving as a powerful visual representation of the nation's loss. The suit's preservation and restricted access underscores the Kennedy family's desire to honor the memory of the president and first lady.

The details

On the day of the assassination, President Kennedy had inquired about Jackie's wardrobe choice, advising her to "look as marvelous as any of them" at the upcoming luncheon in Dallas. Jackie had worn the suit at least six times prior to that fateful day. After the shooting, she refused to remove the blood-stained outfit, telling Lady Bird Johnson, "I want them to see what they have done to Jack." The suit was eventually sent to the National Archives, still in its bloodied condition, accompanied by a note from Jackie's mother. Though the suit was a Chanel-approved replica made by the New York shop Chez Ninon, it has become an enduring symbol of the tragedy.

  • On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.
  • Jackie Kennedy wore the iconic pink suit on the day of the assassination.
  • The suit was sent to the National Archives sometime before July 1964.

The players

Jacqueline Kennedy

The first lady of the United States at the time of President John F. Kennedy's assassination, who refused to remove her blood-stained pink suit.

President John F. Kennedy

The 35th President of the United States, who was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.

Lyndon B. Johnson

The 36th President of the United States, who was sworn in immediately following President Kennedy's assassination, with Jackie Kennedy standing by his side in her iconic pink suit.

Lady Bird Johnson

The wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson, who witnessed Jackie Kennedy's refusal to remove the blood-stained pink suit.

Providencia Paredes

Jackie Kennedy's maid, who placed the bloodied pink suit in a bag but did not have it cleaned.

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What they’re saying

“She went out in her blood-stained suit and stood next to Lyndon Johnson. Despite these horrible circumstances, she was willing to stand for a photo because she understood what it meant for the nation to have continuity in government.”

— Steve Gillon, Historian (People)

“It's crazy when clothes become symbols, and when you see something so recognizable and iconic. It tells a whole story, just the dress, itself. And then, of course, with the blood on it … [it] has the sort of history of America in it.”

— Natalie Portman (USA Today)

“Somehow, that was one of the most poignant sights — that immaculate woman, exquisitely dressed and caked in blood.”

— Lady Bird Johnson (Lady Bird Johnson's Diary)

The takeaway

Jackie Kennedy's refusal to remove her blood-stained pink suit on the day of her husband's assassination has cemented the outfit as one of the most powerful and enduring symbols of that tragic event. The suit's preservation and restricted access until 2103 underscores the Kennedy family's desire to honor the memory of the president and first lady, while also acknowledging the profound impact the suit has had on the nation's collective consciousness.