Ethel Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy's Wife, Dies at 96

The Kennedy matriarch never remarried after her husband's assassination in 1968.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Ethel Kennedy, the wife of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, passed away in October 2024 at the age of 96. The couple was married for 18 years until Robert's assassination in 1968, and together they had 11 children. Ethel remained devoted to upholding her late husband's legacy through the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, and she never remarried out of respect for Robert's memory.

Why it matters

Ethel Kennedy's life and marriage to Robert F. Kennedy represented a significant chapter in American political and social history. As the Kennedy family matriarch, Ethel played a key role in continuing the family's legacy of public service and advocacy for human rights causes that were important to her and her husband.

The details

Ethel and Robert first met in 1945 while they were both in college, though Robert had previously dated Ethel's sister Patricia. The couple married in 1950 and went on to have 11 children together. Ethel was pregnant with their 11th child, Rory, when Robert was assassinated in 1968. After his death, Ethel remained devoted to carrying on Robert's work through the foundation she started in his honor. She also raised their large family, some of whom, like Robert Jr. and Kathleen, followed in their father's footsteps in politics.

  • Ethel and Robert met in 1945 while in college.
  • Ethel and Robert married on June 17, 1950.
  • The couple's first child, Kathleen, was born on July 4, 1951.
  • Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated on June 5, 1968.
  • Ethel Kennedy passed away on October 10, 2024 at the age of 96.

The players

Ethel Kennedy

The wife of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Ethel was the Kennedy family matriarch who remained devoted to upholding her late husband's legacy through the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights.

Robert F. Kennedy

The former U.S. Attorney General and husband of Ethel Kennedy, Robert was assassinated in 1968 while running for president.

Kathleen Kennedy

The eldest child of Ethel and Robert Kennedy, Kathleen went on to serve as the lieutenant governor of Maryland.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

One of Ethel and Robert's 11 children, Robert Jr. dropped out of the 2024 presidential election and was later confirmed as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Kerry Kennedy

Ethel and Robert's daughter who now runs the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights foundation that Ethel started to uphold her husband's legacy.

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What they’re saying

“I'd wake up in the morning and think he was happy in heaven and he had Jack — and they were together as they had been together on earth. I didn't think how I would survive. I knew it would happen but I didn't know how.”

— Ethel Kennedy (PEOPLE)

“She's committed to carry out the ideals that inspired my father to taking care of the family and to creating a warm and loving place.”

— Kathleen Kennedy (Washington Post)

What’s next

The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights foundation that Ethel started will continue to honor her and her husband's legacy by supporting human rights causes around the world.

The takeaway

Ethel Kennedy's lifelong devotion to her husband Robert and their family, as well as her commitment to upholding his vision for social justice, exemplified the enduring impact of the Kennedy family's political and philanthropic legacy.