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{{about|the U.S. political family|the fictional family|Kennedy family (Neighbours)}}
{{redirect|Kennedys|the law firm|Kennedys Law|other people named "Kennedy"|Kennedy (surname)}}
{{short description|American political family}} {{short description|American political family}}
{{about|the U.S. political family|the fictional family|Kennedy family (Neighbours){{!}}Kennedy family (''Neighbours'')}}
{{redirect|Kennedys|the law firm|Kennedys Law|other people named "Kennedy"|Kennedy (surname)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox family {{Infobox family
|name=Kennedy | name = Kennedy family
| native_name = ''Ó Cinnéide''
|coat_of_arms=Coat of Arms of John F. Kennedy.svg
| native_name_lang = ]
|coat_of_arms_size=100px
| type = ] ]
|coat_of_arms_caption=] granted to President ] in 1961 by the ] ]
| coat_of_arms = Coat of Arms of John F. Kennedy.svg
|image=TheKennedyFamily1.jpg
| coat_of_arms_caption = Between two olive branches a cubit sinister arm in armor erect, the hand holding a sheaf of four arrows, points upward, all proper
|image_caption=The Kennedy family at the ] in 1931
| image = {{multiple image
|type=]
|align=center
|origin=Dunganstown, ], Co Wexford, Ireland <ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/27/newsid_4461000/4461115.stm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803125829/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/27/newsid_4461000/4461115.stm | url-status=dead | archive-date=3 August 2016 | title=1963: Warm welcome for JFK in Ireland | date=27 June 1963 | work=BBC | access-date=4 January 2021 }}</ref>
|direction=horizontal
|parent_family=]
|image1=PJ Kennedy (cropped)(b).jpg
|founded={{unbulleted list|Arrival in the United States<br/>1849, ]|{{Time ago|1849}}}}
|width1=79
|founder=Patrick Kennedy (1823–1858)
|caption1=]
|titles={{Collapsible list
|image2=Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. 1938 (cropped) (b).jpg
| expand =
|width2=89
| framestyle =
|caption2=]
| titlestyle =
|image3=John F. Kennedy, White House color photo portrait (3x4) (cropped).jpg
| title =
|width3=88
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| hlist =
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| bullets =
| parent_family = ]
| 1 = ]
| country = Dunganstown, ], ], Ireland<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/27/newsid_4461000/4461115.stm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803125829/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/27/newsid_4461000/4461115.stm | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 3, 2016 | title=1963: Warm welcome for JFK in Ireland | date=June 27, 1963 | work=BBC News | access-date=January 4, 2021 }}</ref>
| 2 = ]
| region = ]
| 3 = ] (to ], ], ], and ])
| 4 = ] | founded = {{unbulleted list|Arrival in the United States<br/>1849, ]|{{Time ago|1849}}}}
| founder = Patrick Kennedy (1823–1858)
| 5 = ]
| current_head =
| 6 = ]
| titles = {{Collapsible list
| 7 = ]
| ]
| ]
| ] (to ], ], ], ], ], and ])
| ]
| ] (], ])
| ] (], ])
| ]
| ] ''(Presumptive)''
| ]
| ] (], ])
| ] (], ])
| ] (])
| ]
| ]
}}
| estate = {{Collapsible list
| ] (Brookline, Massachusetts)
| ] (Hyannis Port, Massachusetts)
| ] (McLean, Virginia)
| ] (Palm Beach, Florida)
| ] (Marshall, Virginia)
}}
}} }}
|estate=] (Brookline, Massachusetts)<br/>] (Hyannis Port, Massachusetts)<br/> ] (McLean, Virginia)<br/>] (Palm Beach, Florida)<br/>] (Marshall, Virginia)}}

The '''Kennedy family''' is an American ] that has long been prominent in ], ], ], and business. In 1884, 35 years after the family's arrival from ], ] became the first Kennedy elected to public office, serving in the ] until 1895. There was at least one Kennedy family member in federal elective office from 1947, when P. J. Kennedy's grandson ] became a member of Congress from ], until 2011, when ] (John's nephew) retired as a member of Congress from ].<ref name="bg021310">{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2010/02/13/pondering_a_congress_without_kennedys/|title=Pondering a Congress without Kennedys|last=Levenson|first=Michael|date=February 13, 2010|newspaper=]}}</ref>


The '''Kennedy family''' ({{langx|ga|Ó Cinnéide}}) is an American ] that has long been prominent in ], public service, entertainment, and business. In 1884, 35 years after the family's arrival from ], Ireland, ] became the first Kennedy elected to public office, serving in the ] until 1895. At least one Kennedy family member served in federal elective office from 1947, when P. J. Kennedy's grandson ] became a member of Congress from ], until 2011, when ] (John's nephew) retired as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from ].<ref name="bg021310">{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2010/02/13/pondering_a_congress_without_kennedys/|title=Pondering a Congress without Kennedys|last=Levenson|first=Michael|date=February 13, 2010|newspaper=]}}</ref>
P. J.'s son ] had nine children with his wife ], including John F. Kennedy (who served in the ] and as ]) and ] (who served as ] and in the ]). Other descendants include members of the ] and Senate, two U.S. ambassadors, a ], three state legislators (one of whom was also in the U.S. House of Representatives), and one mayor.


P. J.'s son ] and his wife, ], had nine children, including John F. Kennedy, who served in both houses of the ] and as ]; ], who served as ] and as a ]; and ], who served more than 46 years in the U.S. Senate. Other descendants include members of the ], two U.S. ambassadors, one U.S. envoy, a ], three state legislators (one of whom also served in the U.S. House of Representatives), and one mayor.
Their daughter, ], founded the ] (part of the ]), and the ]. Eunice's daughter ] served as ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://governors.library.ca.gov/firstladies/35-Shriver.html|title=Governors of California - Maria Shriver|first=California State|last=Library|website=governors.library.ca.gov}}</ref> Other descendants of Joseph and Rose Kennedy have been active as lawyers, authors, and activists on behalf of those with physical and intellectual challenges.


Joseph and Rose's daughter ] played a vital role in establishing the ] (part of the ]) and the ]. Other descendants of Joseph and Rose Kennedy have been lawyers, authors, and activists on behalf of those with physical and intellectual disabilities.


==History== ==History==
According to genealogist Brian Kennedy in his work ''JFK's Irish O'Kennedy Ancestors'', the Kennedys who would go on to play a significant role in the ] originated from the Ó Cinnéide Fionn (one of the three Irish Gaelic ] clans who ruled the ], along with the Ó Cinnéide Donn and Ó Cinnéide Ruadh). Their progenitor, Diarmaid Ó Cinnéide Fionn, held Knigh Castle close to what is today ], ] in 1546. From there, having lost out to the ] order in the ], they ended up in Dunganstown, ], ] by 1740. Patrick Kennedy was born there in 1823. According to genealogist Brian Kennedy in his work ''JFK's Irish O'Kennedy Ancestors'', the Kennedys—who would go on to play a significant role in the United States of America—originated from an Irish clan called Ó Cinnéide Fionn (which, along with the Ó Cinnéide Donn and Ó Cinnéide Ruadh, were the three Irish Gaelic ] clans who ruled the ]). In 1546, their progenitor Diarmaid Ó Cinnéide Fionn became the owner of Knigh Castle, located close to what is today ], ]. In 1740, having lost out to the ] order in the ], they moved to Dunganstown, ], ]. Patrick Kennedy was born there.


The first Kennedys to reside in the United States were Patrick Kennedy (1823–1858) and Bridget Murphy (1824–1888), who sailed from Ireland to ] in 1849; Patrick worked in East Boston as a barrel maker, or cooper.<ref name="Maier2003">{{cite book |title=The Kennedys: America's Emerald Kings |first=Thomas |last=Maier |publisher=Basic Books |year=2003 |page={{page needed|date=April 2015}} |isbn=978-0-465-04317-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/kennedysamericas00maie_0 }}</ref> Patrick and Bridget had five children: their youngest, ], went into business and served in the ] from 1884 to 1895. Patrick Kennedy (1823–1858) and Bridget Murphy (1824–1888) sailed from Ireland to ] in 1849. Patrick worked in East Boston as a barrel maker, or cooper,<ref name="Maier2003">{{cite book |title=The Kennedys: America's Emerald Kings |first=Thomas |last=Maier |publisher=Basic Books |year=2003 |page={{page needed|date=April 2015}} |isbn=978-0-465-04317-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/kennedysamericas00maie_0 }}</ref> and had five children with Bridget. Their youngest, ], went into business and served in the ] from 1884 to 1895.


P. J. and Mary Augusta Hickey were the parents of four children. Their oldest was ],<ref> The JFK Library, accessed February 10, 2016</ref> who amassed a fortune in banking and securities trading, which he further expanded by investing in other growing industries. Joseph Sr. was appointed by ] ] as the first chairman of the ], chairman of the ], and ] in the ]. He served on The Hoover Commission, officially named the Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government, from 1947 to 1949; the commission was appointed by ] ] to recommend administrative changes in the federal government. P. J. and his wife, Mary Augusta Hickey, had four children. Their oldest was ],<ref> The JFK Library, accessed February 10, 2016</ref> a businessman who amassed a private fortune in banking and securities trading, which he further expanded by investing in filmmaking and real estate. He also founded Somerset Importers and owned Chicago's ].

In 1914, Joseph Sr. married ],<ref name="time.com">{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3462557/kennedy-wedding/|title=The Wedding That Changed American History|magazine=Time|date=October 7, 2014 |last=Graham |first=James}}</ref> the eldest daughter of ], who served six years as ] and six years as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boston.com/news/history/2017/05/17/meet-honey-fitz-the-pixielike-mayor-of-boston-and-jfks-grandfather |title=Meet Honey Fitz: The 'pixie like' mayor of Boston (and JFK's grandfather) |date=May 17, 2017 |work=Boston.com |last=DeCosta-Klipa |first=Nik}}</ref> The couple had nine children: ] (1915–1944), ] (called Jack) (1917–1963), ] (called Rosemary) (1918–2005), ] (called Kick) (1920–1948), ] (1921–2009), ] (1924–2006), ] (called Bobby) (1925–1968), ] (1928–2020) and ] (called Ted) (1932–2009).

Joseph Sr. was appointed by President ] as the first chairman of the ] (SEC), chairman of the ], and ] from 1938 to 1940. He served from 1947 to 1949 on The Hoover Commission (the "Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government"), which was appointed by ] ] to recommend administrative changes in the federal government. Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy was named ] by ] in 1951 in recognition of her "exemplary motherhood and many charitable works."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/The-Kennedy-Family/Rose-Fitzgerald-Kennedy.aspx |title = Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy &#124; JFK Library}}</ref>


==Continued public service== ==Continued public service==
] and ] with their children at the ] in 1931.]]
Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and ] were the parents of nine children: ], ], ] (called Rosemary), ], ], ], ], ], and ] (called Ted). John served as the 35th ], while Robert and Ted both became prominent ]. Every Kennedy elected to public office has served as a ], while other members of the family have worked for the ] or held ] posts in Democratic administrations. Many have attended ], and the family has contributed greatly to that university's ].
Every Kennedy elected to public office has served as a ], while other members of the family have worked for the party or held ] posts in Democratic administrations. Many have attended ], and the family has contributed greatly to that university's ].


Joseph Sr. expected his eldest son, Joseph Jr., to go into politics and to ultimately be elected president. Joseph Jr. was elected as a delegate to the ], and enlisted in the ] after the U.S. entered ]. He was killed in 1944 when the bomber he was piloting exploded in flight. Joseph Sr.'s desire to see the family involved in politics and government then focused on John, who had considered a career as a journalist, having authored a book and done some reporting for Hearst Newspapers. After returning from Navy service, John served in the ] representing ] from 1947 to 1953, and then as ] until his election as ] in 1960. Joseph Sr. expected his eldest son, Joseph Jr., to go into politics and to ultimately be elected president. Joseph Jr. was elected as a Massachusetts ] to the ] and enlisted in the ] after the United States entered ]. He was killed in 1944 when the bomber he was piloting exploded in flight. Joseph Sr.'s desire to see the family involved in politics and government then focused on John, who had considered a career as a journalist, having authored a book ('']'') and done some reporting for ]. After returning from Navy service, John served in the ] representing ] from 1947 to 1953, and then as ] from 1953 to 1960. In the ], John narrowly defeated ] opponent ].


During ], Robert served as ]; his brother-in-law ] served as director of the new ], and Ted ], occupying his brother's former seat in ] until his death in 2009. Among the Kennedy administration's accomplishments: the ], the Peace Corps, peaceful resolution to the ], the ] of 1963, the ] ending the poll tax, and the ].<ref></ref> The family was the subject of intense media coverage during and after the Kennedy presidency, often emphasizing their relative youth, allure, education, and future in politics. Ted served in the Senate with his brother Robert (1965–1968), and was serving in the Senate when his nephew, ] (1987–1999), and son, ] (1995–2011), served in the U.S. House of Representatives. During ], Robert served as ], their brother-in-law ] served as director of the new ], and Ted ] until his death in 2009. The Kennedy administration's accomplishments include the ] with Latin America, the establishment of the Peace Corps, a peaceful resolution to the ] in October 1962, the ] of 1963, the ] ending the ], the continuation of the ] with the goal of ], and the introduction of the ] to Congress (signed into law by Kennedy's successor ]).<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/john-f-kennedy/| title = www.whitehouse.gov}}</ref> The family was the subject of intense media coverage during and after Kennedy's presidency.


In November 2012, ], son of former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II and grandson of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from ]. In 2020, he lost the ] to ], the first Kennedy to ever lose an election in the state.<ref name="jkiii-loses-primary">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/01/us/politics/ed-markey-kennedy.html|title=Markey Holds Off Joseph Kennedy in Massachusetts Senate Race|quote=The result was the first loss by a Kennedy in a Massachusetts election…|date=September 1, 2020|first=Jonathan|last=Martin|website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Fast Facts about Robert F. Kennedy {{!}} JFK Library|url=https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/the-kennedy-family/robert-f-kennedy/fast-facts-robert-f-kennedy|access-date=2020-09-04|website=www.jfklibrary.org}} ] was not on the ballot in Massachusetts in the ] and finished second to ] as a write-in candidate.</ref> Ted served in the Senate with his brother Robert (1965–1968), and was serving in the Senate when his nephew, ], and his son, ], served in the U.S. House of Representatives representing ] (1987–1999) and ] (1995–2011), respectively. In November 2012, ], son of former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II and grandson of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from ]. In 2020, Joseph P. III lost the ] to incumbent ], the first Kennedy to ever lose an election in the state.<ref name="jkiii-loses-primary">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/01/us/politics/ed-markey-kennedy.html|title=Markey Holds Off Joseph Kennedy in Massachusetts Senate Race|quote=The result was the first loss by a Kennedy in a Massachusetts election…|date=September 1, 2020|first=Jonathan|last=Martin|newspaper=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fast Facts about Robert F. Kennedy|url=https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/the-kennedy-family/robert-f-kennedy/fast-facts-robert-f-kennedy|access-date=September 4, 2020|agency=John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum}} ] was not on the ballot in Massachusetts in the ] and finished second to ] as a write-in candidate.</ref>


In the 2020s, three Kennedy family members were serving as U.S. ambassadors or envoys. ], second wife of Ted Kennedy, was named in 2021 by President ] as ].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Thanikachalam|first=Neya|title=Senate confirms Victoria Kennedy to be ambassador to Austria|newspaper=The Boston Globe|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/10/27/nation/senate-confirms-victoria-kennedy-be-ambassador-austria/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 }}</ref> ], daughter of President Kennedy, was named in 2022 by President Biden as ]; she previously served as ] under President ]. In the same year, Joseph P. Kennedy III was named by President Biden as ].
==Kennedy curse==
{{main|Kennedy curse}}
], September 1963]]


] ran for president in the ].<ref name="The Gavel">{{cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=Sophia |title=Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Announces 2024 Presidential Candidacy Against Biden |url=https://bcgavel.com/2023/05/03/robert-f-kennedy-jr-announces-2024-presidential-candidacy-against-biden/ |website=the Gavel |date=May 3, 2023 |access-date=17 June 2023}}</ref> He originally ran as a Democrat, but changed his party affiliation to Independent in October 2023. Robert Jr.'s campaign drew controversy among other family members, who publicly spoke out against him mainly due to his anti-vaccine views, instead endorsing President ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Donnell |first=Kelly |last2=Lebowitz |first2=Megan |last3=Richards |first3=Zoë |date=2024-04-18 |title=Kennedy family members endorse Biden over RFK Jr. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/kennedy-family-members-endorse-biden-rfk-jr-rcna148303 |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> In August 2024, two months before the election, Robert Jr. dropped out and endorsed ] ], who went on to win the election. On November 14, 2024, Trump nominated him to be ] for his ], pending Senate approval.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGraw |first=Meridith |last2=Cirruzzo |first2=Chelsea |date=November 14, 2024 |title=Trump expected to select Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead HHS |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/14/robert-f-kennedy-jr-trump-hhs-secretary-pick-00188617 |website=Politico}}</ref>
Family incidents led Senator ] to wonder, in a televised statement about the ] in 1969, whether there really was a "Kennedy curse." Some of the events endured by the Kennedy clan include: in 1941, Rosemary underwent a non-consensual ] intended to prevent her from embarrassing the family with her violent mood swings, convulsions, and intellectual disability. The operation left her incapacitated for the rest of her life. Joseph Jr. died in 1944 when the Navy bomber he was piloting exploded in mid-flight. Kathleen died in a plane crash in ] in 1948. ] and ] were assassinated, in 1963 and 1968 respectively. In 1964, Ted was nearly killed when his plane crashed in an ] near ].<ref name="time062664">{{cite news |title=Teddy's Ordeal |url=http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,898150,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204184340/http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,898150,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 4, 2013 |magazine=Time |date=June 26, 1964 |access-date=May 23, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.check-six.com/Crash_Sites/Kennedy-N344S.htm | publisher=Check-Six.com | title=The Luck of the Kennedys | access-date=February 24, 2009 | date=May 8, 2008}}</ref> (Legislative aide Edward Moss and the pilot were killed in the crash.)<ref name="misfortunes">{{cite news |title=John F. Kennedy Jr. – Timeline: Misfortunes of a Family |url=http://www.cnn.com/interactive/specials/9907/kennedy.tragedy.glance/frameset.exclude.html |publisher=CNN |date=July 1999 |access-date=May 23, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080323142249/http://www.cnn.com/interactive/specials/9907/kennedy.tragedy.glance/frameset.exclude.html |archive-date = March 23, 2008}}</ref> Ted was seriously injured and spent months in a hospital recovering from a severe back injury, a ], broken ribs and internal bleeding.<ref name="bg-series-2">{{cite news | url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/02/16/chapter_2_the_youngest_brother/ | title=Chapter 2: The Youngest Brother: Turbulence and tragedies eclipse early triumphs | author=Swidey, Neil | newspaper=] | date=February 16, 2009 | access-date=February 24, 2009}}</ref>


==Family tree==
In later generations, Robert's son ] died of a ] in 1984; and son ] died from injuries sustained in a ] accident in 1997; John's son ] ] (along with his wife ] and sister-in-law Lauren) off the coast of ] in 1999; ] and ] died of heart attacks, in 2011 and 2018 respectively; and Saoirse Kennedy Hill died of a drug overdose in 2019.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/01/us/kennedy-compound-overdose.html|title=Granddaughter of Robert F. Kennedy Dies After Overdose at Family's Compound|last1=Seelye|first1=Katherine Q.|last2=Martin|first2=Jonathan|date=August 1, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=August 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=RFK granddaughter, Saoirse Kennedy Hill, died of drug overdose |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/rfk-granddaughter-saoirse-kennedy-hill-died-drug-overdose-n1075216 |access-date=November 1, 2019 |publisher=NBC News |date=November 1, 2019}}</ref>
{{Tree list}}
* {{Tree list/final branch}} ] (1858–1929), married Mary Augusta Hickey
**] (1888-1969), married ]
***] (1915-1944)
***] (1917-1963) married ]
****Arabella Kennedy (1956, stillborn)
**** ] (born 1957) married ]
***** ] (born 1988) married Rory McAuliffe
***** ] (born 1990) married George Moran
****** Edwin Garrett Moran (born 2022)
***** ] (born 1993)
**** ] (1960-1999) married ]
**** ] (1963, died in infancy)
***] (1918-2005)
***] (1920-1948) married ]
***] (1921-2009) married ]
**** ] (born 1954) married Malissa Feruzzi and had 1 daughter
**** ] (born 1955) married/divorced ]
***** ] (born 1989) married ] and had 3 children
***** Christina Schwarzenegger (born 1991)
***** ] (born 1993)
***** Christopher Schwarzenegger (born 1997)
**** ] (born 1959) married Linda Potter and had 5 children
**** ] (born 1964) married Jeanne Ripp and had 3 children
**** ] (born 1965) married/divorced Alina Mojica and had 5 children
***] (1924-2006) married/divorced ]
**** ] (1955-2018)
**** Sydney Maleia Lawford (born 1956)
**** Victoria Francis Lawford (born 1958)
**** Robin Elizabeth Lawford (born 1961)
***] (1925-1968) married ]
**** ] (born 1951) married David Townsend
***** Meaghan Anne Kennedy Townsend (born 1977)
***** ] (1979–2020) married David McKean
***** Rose Katherine "Kat" Kennedy Townsend (born 1983)
***** Kerry Sophia Kennedy Townsend (born 1991)
**** ] (born 1952) married/divorced Sheila Brewster Rauch, married Anne Elizabeth "Beth" Kelly
***** Matthew Rauch Kennedy (born 1980, of first marriage)
***** ] (born 1980, of first marriage) married Lauren Anne Birchfield
****** Eleanor Kennedy (born 2015)
****** James Kennedy (born 2017)
**** ] (born 1954) married/divorced Emily Black, married ], married ]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gurley |first1=Alex |title=All About Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s 6 Children |url=https://people.com/all-about-robert-f-kennedy-jr-kids-8576394 |website=People.com |access-date=15 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
***** Robert Francis Kennedy III (born 1984, of first marriage) married ]
****** Bobby Kennedy
****** Cassius Kennedy
***** Kathleen Alexandra “Kick” Kennedy (born 1988, of first marriage)
***** Conor Richardson Kennedy (born 1994, of second marriage)
***** Kyra LeMoyne Kennedy (born 1995, of second marriage)
***** William Finbar “Finn” Kennedy (born 1997, of second marriage)
***** Aidan Caohman Vieques Kennedy (born 2001, of second marriage)
**** David Anthony Kennedy (1955-1984)
**** Mary Courtney Kennedy (born 1956) married/divorced Robert Ruhe, married Paul Hill<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kaloi |first1=Stephanie |title=Ethel Kennedy's 11 Children: All About the Late Kennedy Matriarch's Sons and Daughters |url=https://people.com/all-about-ethel-kennedy-robert-f-kennedy-children-7557923 |website=People.com |access-date=15 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
*****Saoirse Roisin Hill (1997-2019, of second marriage)
**** ] (1958-1997) married Victoria Denise Gifford
***** Michael LeMoyne Kennedy Jr. (born 1983)
***** Kyle Francis Kennedy (born 1984)
***** Rory Gifford Kennedy (born 1987)
**** ] (born 1959) married/divorced ]
***** Cara Ethel Kennedy-Cuomo (born 1995)
***** Mariah Matilda Kennedy-Cuomo (born 1995)
***** Michaela Andrea Kennedy-Cuomo (born 1997)
**** ] (born 1963) married Sheila Sinclair Berner
*****Katherine Berner Kennedy (born 1990)
*****Christopher George Kennedy Jr. (born 1992) married Erin Daigle
*****Sarah Louise Kennedy (born 1994) married Jam Sulahry
*****Clare Elizabeth Kennedy (born 1998)
**** ] (born 1965) married Victoria Anne Strauss
***** ] (born 1993)
***** Caroline Summer Rose Kennedy (born 1994)
***** Noah Isabella Rose Kennedy (born 1998)
**** ] (born 1967) married Molly Stark<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tremaine |first1=Julie |title=All About Ethel Kennedy's 34 Grandchildren — and Why One Called the Late Activist His 'Hero' |url=https://people.com/all-about-ethel-kennedy-grandchildren-7558577 |website=People.com |access-date=15 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
***** Riley Elizabeth Kennedy (born 1999)
***** Mary McCauley Kennedy (born 2001)
***** Rowen Frances Kennedy (born 2004)
***** George Skakel Kennedy (born 2007)
***** Anthony Boru Kennedy (born 2012)
**** ] (born 1968) married ]
***** Georgia Elizabeth Kennedy-Bailey (born 2002)
***** Bridget Katherine Kennedy-Bailey (born 2004)
***** Zachary Corkland Kennedy-Bailey (born 2007)
***] (1928-2020) married ]
**** Stephen Edward Smith, Jr. (born 1957)
**** ] (born 1960)
**** Amanda Mary Smith (born 1967, adopted)
**** Kym Maria Smith (born 1972, adopted)
***] (1932-2009) married/divorced ], married ]
**** ] (1960-2011, of first marriage) married/divorced Michael Allen
*****Grace Elizabeth Allen (born 1994)
*****Max Greathouse Allen (born 1996)
**** ] (born 1961, of first marriage) married Katherine Anne "Kiki" Gershman
*****Kiley Elizabeth Kennedy (born 1994)
*****Edward Moore Kennedy III (born 1998)
**** ] (born 1967, of first marriage) married ]
*****Owen Patrick Kennedy (born 2012)
*****Nora Kara Kennedy (born 2013)
*****Nell Elizabeth Kennedy (born 2015)
*****Marshall Patrick Kennedy (born 2018)
**Francis Benedict Kennedy (1891-1892) (died in infancy)
**Mary Loretta Kennedy (1892-1972), married George William Connelly and had 1 daughter.
**{{Tree list/final branch}} Margaret Louise Kennedy (1898-1974), married Charles Joseph Burke and had 3 children.
{{tree list/end}}


==Businesses==
In April 2020, Robert's granddaughter ], a former official in the ], and her eight-year-old son, Gideon Joseph Kennedy McKean, disappeared in ] after embarking in a canoe to retrieve a ball. The rescue operation was suspended after 26 hours.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/04/03/kennedy-tragedy-maeve-kennedy-townsend-mckean-son-missing-boaters/2941455001/|title=Search called off for Robert F. Kennedy's granddaughter and her son; both presumed dead after canoeing accident|first1=Maria|last1=Puente|first2=Andrea|last2=Mandell|newspaper=USA Today|date=April 4, 2020|access-date=April 4, 2020}}</ref> Maeve McKean's body was recovered several days later.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Theresa Waldrop and Rebekah Riess |title=Maeve Kennedy Townsend McKean's body found by divers |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/06/us/kennedy-body-found-chesapeake-bay/index.html |date=April 6, 2020| access-date=April 7, 2020 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>
*''Citizens Energy Corporation''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://citizensenergy.com/|title=Non-Profit Energy Company &#124; Citizens Energy|date=January 30, 2023|website=Citizens Energy Corporation}}</ref>
*''Columbia Trust Company'' <ref>{{cite book |last=Nasaw |first=David |author-link= |date=2012 |title=The Patriarch: The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy |url= |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Penguin Press |page=10 |isbn=978-1-59420-376-3}}</ref>
*]
*]
*]
*''Intercontinental Rubber Company''<ref>{{cite news |last=Brean |first=Henry |date=May 9, 2023 |title=U of A teams with Bridgestone to give desert rubber source a bounce |url=https://tucson.com/news/local/u-of-a-teams-with-bridgestone-to-give-desert-rubber-source-a-bounce/article_cfead634-eb87-11ed-9e30-c72e8a63ed24.html |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref>
*] (law firm)
*''Kenoil Corporation''<ref name="auto">{{cite news |last=Jensen |first=Michael C. |date=June 12, 1977 |title=Managing the Kennedy Millions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/06/12/archives/managing-the-kennedy-millions-managing-the-kennedy-millions.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref>
*''Marwood Group'' (healthcare-focused consulting firm) <ref>{{cite news |date=October 30, 2014 |title=Kennedy's former firm investigated by SEC|url=https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Kennedy-s-former-firm-investigated-by-SEC-11373445.php |newspaper=New Haven Register|access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref>
*''Mokeen Oil Company''<ref name="auto"/>
*''Old Colony Realty Associates''<ref>{{cite news |last=Samuels |first=Regina |date=August 2, 2021 |title=How Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. Became a Billionaire And Founded a Political Dynasty That Defined The 20th Century! |url=https://politic-ed.com/2021/08/02/joseph-p-kennedy-sr-political-dynasty/ |work=Politic-Ed |access-date=June 22, 2023}}
</ref>
*]
*]
*''Sumner Savings Bank''<ref>{{cite book |last=Kessler |first=Ronald |author-link= |date=1996 |title=The Sins of the Father: Joseph P. Kennedy and the Dynasty he Founded|publisher=Warner Books, Inc. |page=10 |isbn=0-446-60384-8}}</ref>
*]<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=What Chris Kennedy Is Doing With the New Wolf Point Project |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/june-2013/chris-kennedys-new-wolf-point-project/ |access-date=September 30, 2024 |magazine=]}}</ref>
*]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wolf Point developers land $200 million loan for 60-story tower |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170628/CRED03/170629845/hines-kennedys-land-200-million-loan-for-wolf-point-project |access-date=2024-11-15}}</ref>
*]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Salesforce plan completes Kennedy family's Wolf Point puzzle |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/commercial-real-estate/salesforce-plan-completes-kennedy-familys-wolf-point-puzzle |access-date=2024-11-15}}</ref>


==Philanthropy and policy institutes==
==Genealogy==
*]
{{Kennedy family tree}}
*]
*]
*''Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Center for Community of Caring''<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2011-03-25 |title=Community of Caring Names University of Utah Its New National Headquarters |url=https://archive.unews.utah.edu/news_releases/community-of-caring-names-university-of-utah-its-new-national-headquarters/ |work=UNews Archive |location=Salt Lake City, UT |access-date=2023-06-23}}</ref>
*]
*''Global Recovery Initiative''<ref>{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Kelly |title=Christopher Lawford, actor, author and nephew of John F. Kennedy, dies at 63 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/06/us/christopher-lawford-death-jfk-nephew-actor/index.html |access-date=28 February 2019 |work=CNN.com |date=6 September 2018}}</ref>
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]


==Government offices held== ==Government offices held==
* ]: ] 1884–1889; ], 1889–1895. * ]: ], 1884–1889; ], 1889–1895.
**]: Chairman of the ], 1934–1935; chairman of the ], 1936–1938; ], 1938–1940. **]: Chairman of the ], 1934–1935; chairman of the ], 1936–1938; ], 1938–1940.
***]: ] from Massachusetts, 1947–1953; ] from Massachusetts, 1953–1960; ], 1961–1963 ***]: ] from Massachusetts, 1947–1953; ] from Massachusetts, 1953–1960; ], 1961–1963.
****]: ], 2013–2017. ****]: ], 2013–2017; ], 2022–present.
***] ***]
****]: ] City Council member, 2004–2012; Mayor of Santa Monica, 2010. ****]: ] City Council member, 2004–2012; Mayor of Santa Monica, 2010.
****]: ], 1995–2003. ****]: ], 1995–2003.
***]: ] 1961–1964; United States Senator from New York, 1965–1968. ***]: ], 1961–1964; United States Senator from New York, 1965–1968.
****]: ], 1995–2003. ****]: ], 1995–2003.
****]: United States Representative from Massachusetts, 1987–1999. ****]: United States Representative from Massachusetts, 1987–1999.
*****]: United States Representative from Massachusetts, 2013–2021. *****]: United States Representative from Massachusetts, 2013–2021; U.S. envoy to Northern Ireland, 2022–present
***]: ], 1993–1998. ***]: ], 1993 1998
****]: Commissioner of the District of Columbia from district 2A04 , 2015-2020
***]: United States Senator from Massachusetts, 1962–2009. ***]: United States Senator from Massachusetts, 1962–2009.
****]: ], 2015–2019. ****]: ], 2015–2019.
****]: ], 1989–1993; United States Representative from Rhode Island, 1995–2011. ****]: ], 1989–1993; United States Representative from Rhode Island, 1995–2011.


In addition, some Kennedy spouses have served in government:
There was a member of the Kennedy family in public office nearly continuously from 1946, when John F. Kennedy was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, until early 2011, when Patrick J. Kennedy left the House. The only exception in that time was the period between John F. Kennedy's resignation from the Senate on December 22, 1960 and his assumption of the office of President on January 20, 1961. In 2013 Joseph P. Kennedy III was elected U.S. Representative from Massachusetts and served until 2021.
*] (then-husband of ]): ], 1997–2001. After their divorce, he served as New York state attorney general (2007–2010) and New York governor (2011–2021).
*] (widow of ]): ], 2022–present
*] (then-husband of ]): ], 2003–2011
*] (husband of ]): ], 1955–1960; director of the ], 1961–1966; director of the ], 1964–1968; ], 1968–1970


There was a member of the Kennedy family in public office nearly continuously from 1946, when John F. Kennedy was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, until early 2011, when Patrick J. Kennedy left the House. The only exception was the period between John F. Kennedy's resignation from the Senate on December 22, 1960, and his assumption of the office of President on January 20, 1961. In 2013, two years after Patrick Kennedy left the House, Joseph P. Kennedy III was elected U.S. Representative from Massachusetts and served until 2021. Below is a timeline of the Kennedys' tenure in the U.S. Congress.
===Congressional timeline===

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline| {{#tag:timeline|
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Line 97: Line 261:


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id:pres value:green id:ambassador value:rgb(0.84,0.62,0.21)


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bar:JPKSr
bar:JFK bar:JFK
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bar:JPKIII bar:JPKIII
bar:CK


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from: 30/06/1934 till: 23/09/1935 color:fedgovernment
from: 14/04/1937 till: 19/02/1938 color:fedgovernment
from: 08/03/1938 till: 22/10/1940 color:ambassador text:"Joseph P. Kennedy Sr."
bar:JFK bar:JFK
from: 03/01/1947 till: 03/01/1953 color:representative from: 03/01/1947 till: 22/12/1960 color:fedcongress
from: 03/01/1953 till: 22/12/1960 color:senate from: 20/01/1961 till: 22/11/1963 color:fedgovernment text:"John F. Kennedy"
from: 20/01/1961 till: 22/11/1963 color:pres text:"]"
bar:EMK bar:EMK
from: 07/11/1962 till: 25/08/2009 color:senate text:"]" from: 07/11/1962 till: 25/08/2009 color:fedcongress text:"Edward M. Kennedy"
bar:RFK bar:RFK
from: 03/01/1965 till: 06/06/1968 color:senate text:"]" from: 21/01/1961 till: 03/09/1964 color:fedgovernment
from: 03/01/1965 till: 06/06/1968 color:fedcongress text:"Robert F. Kennedy"
bar:JPKII
bar:JPKII
from: 03/01/1987 till: 03/01/1999 color:representative text:"]"
from: 03/01/1987 till: 03/01/1999 color:fedcongress text:"Joseph P. Kennedy II"
bar:PJK
bar:JKS
from: 03/01/1995 till: 03/01/2011 color:representative text:"]"
from: 24/06/1993 till: 17/09/1998 color:ambassador text:"Jean Kennedy Smith"
bar:JPKIII
bar:PJK
from: 03/01/2013 till: 01/01/2021 color:representative text:"]"
from: 03/01/1995 till: 03/01/2011 color:fedcongress text:"Patrick J. Kennedy"
bar:JPKIII
from: 03/01/2013 till: 03/01/2021 color:fedcongress
from: 19/12/2022 till: $today color:ambassador text:"Joe Kennedy III"

bar:CK
from: 19/11/2013 till: 18/01/2017 color:ambassador
from: 25/07/2022 till:$today color:ambassador text:"Caroline Kennedy"
}} }}
{| style="float:right; background-color:#fff" {| style="float:right; background:#fff;"
|- |-
| {{ubl| | {{ubl|
{{legend0|#000066|]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}|{{legend0|#660000|]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}|{{legend0|green|]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend0|#000066|]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}|{{legend0|#660000|]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}|{{legend0|#d69d36|]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
}} }}
|} |}
Line 142: Line 320:


==Heraldry== ==Heraldry==
In 1961, John F. Kennedy was presented with a ] for all the descendants of Patrick Kennedy (1823–1858) from the ]. The design of the arms (three gold closed helmets on a black field)<ref>The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, Bernard Burke, Harrison & Sons, 1884, pp. 558-9</ref> strongly alludes to symbols in the coats of arms of the ] of Ormonde and the ] of Desmond, from whom the family is believed to be descended. The crest is an armored hand holding four arrows between two olive branches, elements taken from the coat of arms of the United States of America and also symbolic of Kennedy and his brothers.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.americanheraldry.org/pages/index.php?n=President.Kennedy | title = John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States | publisher = American Heraldry Society | access-date =October 27, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803191207/http://www.americanheraldry.org/pages/index.php?n=President.Kennedy | archive-date=August 3, 2016 }}</ref>{{Infobox COA wide On March 17, 1961, John F. Kennedy was presented with a ] for all the descendants of Patrick Kennedy (1823–1858) from the ]. The design of the arms (three gold closed helmets on a black field)<ref>The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, Bernard Burke, Harrison & Sons, 1884, pp. 558-9</ref> strongly alludes to symbols in the coats of arms of the ] of Ormonde and the ] of ], from whom the family is descended. The crest is an armored hand holding four arrows between two olive branches, elements taken from the coat of arms of the United States of America and also symbolic of Kennedy and his brothers.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.americanheraldry.org/heraldry-in-the-united-states/arms-of-famous-americans/presidents-of-the-united-states/john-fitzgerald-kennedy-35th-president-of-the-united-states/ | title = John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States | publisher = American Heraldry Society | access-date =October 27, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803191207/http://www.americanheraldry.org/pages/index.php?n=President.Kennedy | archive-date=August 3, 2016 }}</ref>{{Infobox COA wide
|image=File:Coat of Arms of John F. Kennedy.svg |image=File:Coat of Arms of John F. Kennedy.svg
|escutcheon=Sable three helmets in profile Or within a bordure per saltire Gules and Ermine. |escutcheon=Sable three helmets in profile Or within a bordure per saltire Gules and Ermine.
|crest=Between two olive branches a cubit sinister arm in armor erect, the hand holding a sheaf of four arrows, points upward, all proper |crest=Between two olive branches a cubit sinister arm in armor erect, the hand holding a sheaf of four arrows, points upward, all proper
|year_granted=December 7, 2014 |year_granted=1961
|name=the Kennedy family |name=the Kennedy family
|armiger=All the descendants of Patrick Kennedy (1823–1858) |armiger=All the descendants of Patrick Kennedy (1823–1858)
|symbolism=}} |symbolism=}}

== See also ==
* ]


==References== ==References==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


== Bibliography == === Book sources ===
* {{cite book | author = Gibson, Barbara | author2 = Ted Schwartz | title = The Kennedys : the Third Generation | location = New York | publisher = Kensington Publishing | year = 1993 | oclc = 670288617 | isbn =9780786010264 | pages = 458}} * {{cite book | author = Gibson, Barbara | author2 = Ted Schwartz | title = The Kennedys : the Third Generation | location = New York | publisher = Kensington Publishing | year = 1993 | oclc = 670288617 | isbn =9780786010264 | page = 458}}
* Haas, Lawrence J. ''The Kennedys in the World: How Jack, Bobby, and Ted Remade America's Empire'' (2021) * Haas, Lawrence J. ''The Kennedys in the World: How Jack, Bobby, and Ted Remade America's Empire'' (2021)
* Hunt, Amber, and David Batcher. ''Kennedy Wives: Triumph and Tragedy in America's Most Public Family'' (2014)
* Kessler, Ronald. ''The sins of the father: Joseph P. Kennedy and the dynasty he founded'' (St. Martin's Press, 1996).
* Klein, Edward. ''The Kennedy Curse: Why tragedy has haunted America's first family for 150 years'' (Macmillan, 2003).
* Leamer, Laurence. ''The Kennedy women: The saga of an American family'' (Ballantine Books, 1996).
* Leamer, Laurence. ''The Kennedy Men: 1901-1963'' (2001)
* Leamer, Laurence. ''Sons of Camelot: The Fate of an American Dynasty'' (2005)
* Nasaw, David. ''The Patriarch: The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy'' (2012); scholarly biography.


==External links== ==External links==
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* , '']'' * , '']''
* , '']'' * , '']''
* ,
* , ] * , ]


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{{Ted Kennedy}} {{Ted Kennedy}}
{{Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis}} {{Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis}}
{{Robert F. Kennedy Jr.}}
{{United States presidential family political lines}} {{United States presidential family political lines}}
{{Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century}}

{{Portal bar|Politics|United States}} {{Portal bar|Politics|United States}}
{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Kennedy Family}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Kennedy family}}
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Latest revision as of 23:39, 2 January 2025

American political family This article is about the U.S. political family. For the fictional family, see Kennedy family (Neighbours). "Kennedys" redirects here. For the law firm, see Kennedys Law. For other people named "Kennedy", see Kennedy (surname).

Kennedy family
Ó Cinnéide
American Political family
Between two olive branches a cubit sinister arm in armor erect, the hand holding a sheaf of four arrows, points upward, all proper
Patrick Joseph KennedyJoseph Patrick Kennedy Sr.John F. Kennedy
Parent familyO'Kennedy
CountryDunganstown, New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland
Current regionUnited States
Founded
  • Arrival in the United States
    1849, Boston
  • 176 years ago
FounderPatrick Kennedy (1823–1858)
Titles List
Estate(s) List

The Kennedy family (Irish: Ó Cinnéide) is an American political family that has long been prominent in American politics, public service, entertainment, and business. In 1884, 35 years after the family's arrival from County Wexford, Ireland, Patrick Joseph "P. J." Kennedy became the first Kennedy elected to public office, serving in the Massachusetts state legislature until 1895. At least one Kennedy family member served in federal elective office from 1947, when P. J. Kennedy's grandson John F. Kennedy became a member of Congress from Massachusetts, until 2011, when Patrick J. Kennedy II (John's nephew) retired as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island.

P. J.'s son Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and his wife, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, had nine children, including John F. Kennedy, who served in both houses of the United States Congress and as U.S. President; Robert F. Kennedy, who served as U.S. Attorney General and as a U.S. Senator; and Ted Kennedy, who served more than 46 years in the U.S. Senate. Other descendants include members of the U.S. House of Representatives, two U.S. ambassadors, one U.S. envoy, a lieutenant governor, three state legislators (one of whom also served in the U.S. House of Representatives), and one mayor.

Joseph and Rose's daughter Eunice played a vital role in establishing the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (part of the National Institutes of Health) and the Special Olympics. Other descendants of Joseph and Rose Kennedy have been lawyers, authors, and activists on behalf of those with physical and intellectual disabilities.

History

According to genealogist Brian Kennedy in his work JFK's Irish O'Kennedy Ancestors, the Kennedys—who would go on to play a significant role in the United States of America—originated from an Irish clan called Ó Cinnéide Fionn (which, along with the Ó Cinnéide Donn and Ó Cinnéide Ruadh, were the three Irish Gaelic Ó Cinnéide clans who ruled the Kingdom of Ormond). In 1546, their progenitor Diarmaid Ó Cinnéide Fionn became the owner of Knigh Castle, located close to what is today Puckane, County Tipperary. In 1740, having lost out to the New English order in the Kingdom of Ireland, they moved to Dunganstown, New Ross, County Wexford. Patrick Kennedy was born there.

Patrick Kennedy (1823–1858) and Bridget Murphy (1824–1888) sailed from Ireland to East Boston in 1849. Patrick worked in East Boston as a barrel maker, or cooper, and had five children with Bridget. Their youngest, Patrick Joseph "P. J." Kennedy, went into business and served in the Massachusetts state legislature from 1884 to 1895.

P. J. and his wife, Mary Augusta Hickey, had four children. Their oldest was Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kennedy Sr., a businessman who amassed a private fortune in banking and securities trading, which he further expanded by investing in filmmaking and real estate. He also founded Somerset Importers and owned Chicago's Merchandise Mart.

In 1914, Joseph Sr. married Rose Fitzgerald, the eldest daughter of John F. "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, who served six years as mayor of Boston and six years as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. The couple had nine children: Joseph Jr. (1915–1944), John (called Jack) (1917–1963), Rose Marie (called Rosemary) (1918–2005), Kathleen (called Kick) (1920–1948), Eunice (1921–2009), Patricia (1924–2006), Robert (called Bobby) (1925–1968), Jean (1928–2020) and Edward (called Ted) (1932–2009).

Joseph Sr. was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the first chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), chairman of the Maritime Commission, and U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1938 to 1940. He served from 1947 to 1949 on The Hoover Commission (the "Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government"), which was appointed by President Harry Truman to recommend administrative changes in the federal government. Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy was named Papal Countess of the Holy Roman Church by Pope Pius XII in 1951 in recognition of her "exemplary motherhood and many charitable works."

Continued public service

Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Kennedy with their children at the Kennedy Compound in 1931.

Every Kennedy elected to public office has served as a Democrat, while other members of the family have worked for the party or held Cabinet posts in Democratic administrations. Many have attended Harvard University, and the family has contributed greatly to that university's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Joseph Sr. expected his eldest son, Joseph Jr., to go into politics and to ultimately be elected president. Joseph Jr. was elected as a Massachusetts delegate to the 1940 Democratic National Convention and enlisted in the U.S. Navy after the United States entered World War II. He was killed in 1944 when the bomber he was piloting exploded in flight. Joseph Sr.'s desire to see the family involved in politics and government then focused on John, who had considered a career as a journalist, having authored a book (Why England Slept) and done some reporting for Hearst Newspapers. After returning from Navy service, John served in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Massachusetts's 11th congressional district from 1947 to 1953, and then as U.S. Senator from Massachusetts from 1953 to 1960. In the 1960 presidential election, John narrowly defeated Republican opponent Richard Nixon.

During John's administration, Robert served as attorney general, their brother-in-law Sargent Shriver served as director of the new Peace Corps, and Ted became the U.S. Senator from Massachusetts until his death in 2009. The Kennedy administration's accomplishments include the Alliance for Progress with Latin America, the establishment of the Peace Corps, a peaceful resolution to the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963, the Twenty-fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution ending the poll tax, the continuation of the Apollo spaceflight program with the goal of landing a man on the Moon, and the introduction of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to Congress (signed into law by Kennedy's successor Lyndon B. Johnson). The family was the subject of intense media coverage during and after Kennedy's presidency.

Ted served in the Senate with his brother Robert (1965–1968), and was serving in the Senate when his nephew, Joseph P. II, and his son, Patrick J., served in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Massachusetts's 8th congressional district (1987–1999) and Rhode Island's 1st congressional district (1995–2011), respectively. In November 2012, Joseph P. Kennedy III, son of former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II and grandson of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 4th congressional district. In 2020, Joseph P. III lost the U.S. Senate primary election in Massachusetts to incumbent Ed Markey, the first Kennedy to ever lose an election in the state.

In the 2020s, three Kennedy family members were serving as U.S. ambassadors or envoys. Victoria Reggie Kennedy, second wife of Ted Kennedy, was named in 2021 by President Biden as U.S. ambassador to Austria. Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President Kennedy, was named in 2022 by President Biden as U.S. ambassador to Australia; she previously served as U.S. ambassador to Japan under President Barack Obama. In the same year, Joseph P. Kennedy III was named by President Biden as U.S. special envoy to Northern Ireland.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president in the 2024 United States presidential election. He originally ran as a Democrat, but changed his party affiliation to Independent in October 2023. Robert Jr.'s campaign drew controversy among other family members, who publicly spoke out against him mainly due to his anti-vaccine views, instead endorsing President Joe Biden. In August 2024, two months before the election, Robert Jr. dropped out and endorsed Republican candidate Donald Trump, who went on to win the election. On November 14, 2024, Trump nominated him to be United States Secretary of Health and Human Services for his cabinet, pending Senate approval.

Family tree

Businesses

Philanthropy and policy institutes

Government offices held

In addition, some Kennedy spouses have served in government:

There was a member of the Kennedy family in public office nearly continuously from 1946, when John F. Kennedy was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, until early 2011, when Patrick J. Kennedy left the House. The only exception was the period between John F. Kennedy's resignation from the Senate on December 22, 1960, and his assumption of the office of President on January 20, 1961. In 2013, two years after Patrick Kennedy left the House, Joseph P. Kennedy III was elected U.S. Representative from Massachusetts and served until 2021. Below is a timeline of the Kennedys' tenure in the U.S. Congress.

Timeline

Heraldry

On March 17, 1961, John F. Kennedy was presented with a grant of arms for all the descendants of Patrick Kennedy (1823–1858) from the Chief Herald of Ireland. The design of the arms (three gold closed helmets on a black field) strongly alludes to symbols in the coats of arms of the O'Kennedys of Ormonde and the FitzGeralds of Desmond, from whom the family is descended. The crest is an armored hand holding four arrows between two olive branches, elements taken from the coat of arms of the United States of America and also symbolic of Kennedy and his brothers.

Coat of arms of the Kennedy family
Granted
1961
Armiger
All the descendants of Patrick Kennedy (1823–1858)
Crest
Between two olive branches a cubit sinister arm in armor erect, the hand holding a sheaf of four arrows, points upward, all proper
Escutcheon
Sable three helmets in profile Or within a bordure per saltire Gules and Ermine.

See also

References

Citations

  1. "1963: Warm welcome for JFK in Ireland". BBC News. June 27, 1963. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  2. Levenson, Michael (February 13, 2010). "Pondering a Congress without Kennedys". The Boston Globe.
  3. Maier, Thomas (2003). The Kennedys: America's Emerald Kings. Basic Books. p. . ISBN 978-0-465-04317-0.
  4. The Kennedy Family The JFK Library, accessed February 10, 2016
  5. Graham, James (October 7, 2014). "The Wedding That Changed American History". Time.
  6. DeCosta-Klipa, Nik (May 17, 2017). "Meet Honey Fitz: The 'pixie like' mayor of Boston (and JFK's grandfather)". Boston.com.
  7. "Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy | JFK Library".
  8. "www.whitehouse.gov".
  9. Martin, Jonathan (September 1, 2020). "Markey Holds Off Joseph Kennedy in Massachusetts Senate Race". The New York Times. The result was the first loss by a Kennedy in a Massachusetts election…
  10. "Fast Facts about Robert F. Kennedy". John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Retrieved September 4, 2020. Robert F. Kennedy was not on the ballot in Massachusetts in the 1968 Democratic Party presidential primaries and finished second to Eugene McCarthy as a write-in candidate.
  11. Thanikachalam, Neya. "Senate confirms Victoria Kennedy to be ambassador to Austria". The Boston Globe. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  12. Anderson, Sophia (May 3, 2023). "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Announces 2024 Presidential Candidacy Against Biden". the Gavel. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  13. O'Donnell, Kelly; Lebowitz, Megan; Richards, Zoë (April 18, 2024). "Kennedy family members endorse Biden over RFK Jr". NBC News. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  14. McGraw, Meridith; Cirruzzo, Chelsea (November 14, 2024). "Trump expected to select Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead HHS". Politico.
  15. Gurley, Alex. "All About Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 6 Children". People.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  16. Kaloi, Stephanie. "Ethel Kennedy's 11 Children: All About the Late Kennedy Matriarch's Sons and Daughters". People.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  17. Tremaine, Julie. "All About Ethel Kennedy's 34 Grandchildren — and Why One Called the Late Activist His 'Hero'". People.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  18. "Non-Profit Energy Company | Citizens Energy". Citizens Energy Corporation. January 30, 2023.
  19. Nasaw, David (2012). The Patriarch: The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy. New York City, New York: Penguin Press. p. 10. ISBN 978-1-59420-376-3.
  20. Brean, Henry (May 9, 2023). "U of A teams with Bridgestone to give desert rubber source a bounce". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  21. ^ Jensen, Michael C. (June 12, 1977). "Managing the Kennedy Millions". The New York Times. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  22. "Kennedy's former firm investigated by SEC". New Haven Register. October 30, 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  23. Samuels, Regina (August 2, 2021). "How Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. Became a Billionaire And Founded a Political Dynasty That Defined The 20th Century!". Politic-Ed. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  24. Kessler, Ronald (1996). The Sins of the Father: Joseph P. Kennedy and the Dynasty he Founded. Warner Books, Inc. p. 10. ISBN 0-446-60384-8.
  25. "What Chris Kennedy Is Doing With the New Wolf Point Project". Chicago. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  26. "Wolf Point developers land $200 million loan for 60-story tower". Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  27. "Salesforce plan completes Kennedy family's Wolf Point puzzle". Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  28. "Community of Caring Names University of Utah Its New National Headquarters". UNews Archive. Salt Lake City, UT. March 25, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  29. Murray, Kelly (September 6, 2018). "Christopher Lawford, actor, author and nephew of John F. Kennedy, dies at 63". CNN.com. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  30. The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, Bernard Burke, Harrison & Sons, 1884, pp. 558-9
  31. "John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States". American Heraldry Society. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2009.

Book sources

  • Gibson, Barbara; Ted Schwartz (1993). The Kennedys : the Third Generation. New York: Kensington Publishing. p. 458. ISBN 9780786010264. OCLC 670288617.
  • Haas, Lawrence J. The Kennedys in the World: How Jack, Bobby, and Ted Remade America's Empire (2021) excerpt
  • Hunt, Amber, and David Batcher. Kennedy Wives: Triumph and Tragedy in America's Most Public Family (2014) excerpt
  • Kessler, Ronald. The sins of the father: Joseph P. Kennedy and the dynasty he founded (St. Martin's Press, 1996).
  • Klein, Edward. The Kennedy Curse: Why tragedy has haunted America's first family for 150 years (Macmillan, 2003).
  • Leamer, Laurence. The Kennedy women: The saga of an American family (Ballantine Books, 1996). excerpt
  • Leamer, Laurence. The Kennedy Men: 1901-1963 (2001) excerpt
  • Leamer, Laurence. Sons of Camelot: The Fate of an American Dynasty (2005) excerpt
  • Nasaw, David. The Patriarch: The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy (2012); scholarly biography.

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