Image Source: CBS News
Kerry Kennedy is offering a deeply personal look at her mother, Ethel Kennedy, portraying her as a woman who endured extraordinary loss while maintaining an almost unstoppable sense of joy.
In a CBS News “Sunday Morning” report published October 11, 2026, Kerry Kennedy discussed Ethel’s marriage to Robert F. Kennedy, her role as the mother of 11 children, her human rights work and the family tragedies that shaped her life. The conversation coincides with the release of Kerry’s memoir, “Ethel Kennedy: The Extraordinary Life and Bold Legacy.”
Kerry Kennedy Reveals the Powerful Spirit Behind Ethel’s Life
Kerry Kennedy described her mother as “extraordinarily chic, fun, funny, fully alive.” She also said that many people know Ethel primarily as the widow of Robert Kennedy, but far fewer understand the full story of her life.
Ethel was raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, as the daughter of a self-made millionaire. Her connection to the Kennedy family began through her college roommate, Jean Kennedy. During a family ski trip, Ethel developed a crush on Robert Kennedy, who was initially dating her sister.
That relationship soon changed. Robert and Ethel married in 1950 and went on to build a large family. Their first child was born in 1951, while Kerry Kennedy was the couple’s seventh child. Ethel was pregnant for a total of 99 months, or more than eight years, but Kerry recalled that her mother sometimes said she would have had even more children if given the chance.
A Remarkable Marriage, Family and Political Legacy
Ethel Kennedy became a central figure in one of America’s most prominent political families. She supported Robert as he served as U.S. attorney general, won a Senate seat from New York and later launched a presidential campaign opposing President Lyndon Johnson’s position on the Vietnam War.
After President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, Ethel helped Robert grieve while continuing to care for their children. Kerry Kennedy said her mother gave Robert the space he needed, but remained focused on daily family life, including carpools, prayers and raising the children.
Robert Kennedy was assassinated in 1968 after winning the California Democratic primary. At the time, Kerry was eight years old. Ethel was left to raise their children, including Rory, who was born six months after her father’s death.
“She was getting up the next day and forging ahead,” Kerry Kennedy said. “That’s how she lived her life. She was mighty.”
From Devastating Loss to Human Rights Advocacy
Ethel Kennedy experienced further family tragedies. Her son David died from a drug overdose in 1984, and her son Michael died in a skiing accident in 1997. Despite the grief, Ethel transformed her personal pain into long-term activism.
She founded what is now known as the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization, which campaigns against oppression and supports human rights causes in the United States and abroad. Her work earned national recognition when President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014.
Obama praised Ethel as a “force for change” whose determination was both quiet and unstoppable. The award reflected her decades of advocacy and her commitment to carrying forward the ideals associated with her husband and his family.
Family Disagreements Over Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The interview also addressed the political divide surrounding Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Ethel’s son. He endorsed Donald Trump for president and later joined Trump’s cabinet as secretary of Health and Human Services.
Kerry Kennedy has publicly called for her brother’s resignation, particularly because of his views on vaccines. She emphasized that political disagreement has not erased family love.
“I love Bobby with all my heart,” Kerry Kennedy said, while adding that she disagrees with “everything he says and does.” She also said Ethel had a strong ability to remain close to people even when she stood on the opposite side of an argument.
That tension highlights a recurring theme in Kerry Kennedy’s account: Ethel valued relationships, compassion and family unity, even amid sharp political disagreements.
A Memoir About Resilience, Courage and Joy
Ethel Kennedy died on October 10, 2024, at age 96. Her life included political upheaval, assassinations, private sorrow and public responsibility. Yet Kerry Kennedy said her mother continued to express gratitude during the final years of her life.
“Aren’t we lucky?” Ethel repeatedly asked, according to her daughter.
That phrase captures the spirit of the new memoir. Kerry Kennedy’s book is not simply a political history or a portrait of a famous family. It is an intimate account of a mother who responded to tragedy with action, humor, faith and an enduring belief in the value of life.
“Ethel Kennedy: The Extraordinary Life and Bold Legacy” is scheduled for publication October 13 in hardcover, eBook and audio formats. Through the book and the CBS News interview, Kerry Kennedy hopes readers will see Ethel as more than a historical figure: a determined mother, human rights advocate and woman who found extraordinary joy after unimaginable loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kerry Kennedy?
Kerry Kennedy is the seventh child of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy. She is a human rights advocate and the author of a memoir about her mother’s life and legacy.
Who was Ethel Kennedy?
Ethel Kennedy was the wife of Robert F. Kennedy, the mother of 11 children and a longtime human rights activist. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014.
When did Ethel Kennedy die?
Ethel Kennedy died on October 10, 2024, at the age of 96.
What is Kerry Kennedy’s memoir about?
“Ethel Kennedy: The Extraordinary Life and Bold Legacy” explores Ethel’s family life, political connections, activism, personal losses and remarkable resilience.
