President Joe Biden delivered a heartfelt eulogy for Ethel Kennedy, a renowned human rights activist and the widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, describing her as “a hero in her own right.” The funeral took place at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, where Biden spoke fondly of Kennedy’s many years of public service and their personal friendship.
Recalling a difficult time in his life following the tragic 1972 car accident that claimed the lives of his first wife and daughter, Biden said, “She got me through a time I didn’t want to stick around.” He highlighted how Ethel’s support helped his family navigate their grief with “principle and purpose.”
Ethel Kennedy, who passed away last week at 96, was a symbol of the “Camelot” era that began with her brother-in-law John F. Kennedy’s presidency until his assassination in 1963. Robert Kennedy, who served as attorney general and was elected to the Senate from New York in 1964, was assassinated while campaigning for the presidency in 1968.
Biden has often expressed how Robert Kennedy’s legacy inspired him throughout his political career, which included a shift from a prestigious law firm to becoming a public defender. During a meeting with the Kennedy family in April, he reflected on how he felt driven to honor Robert Kennedy’s legacy in his own work.
During the eulogy, Biden recalled receiving personal letters from Ethel Kennedy after he took office in 2021, including a Valentine’s Day card that humorously read: “I’m not Biden my time waiting for your Valentine / Because he’s no ordinary Joe.” He described this card as perhaps the best honor he has ever received.
The relationship between the Kennedys and Bidens is notable as both families are the only Catholic presidential families in U.S. history. Several members of the Kennedy family supported Biden’s reelection campaign earlier this year, distancing themselves from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s third-party run against him.
After Biden withdrew from the presidential race in July, some Kennedy family members endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also halted his campaign in August and subsequently endorsed former President Donald Trump. While he attended his mother’s funeral, there appeared to be no interaction between him and Biden.
Both families have experienced significant personal loss. Biden shared the sorrow of his son, Beau Biden, who was diagnosed with brain cancer after serving overseas. He noted, “Your mom was there then, too,” referring to Ethel Kennedy’s support during that challenging period. Beau Biden succumbed to cancer in 2015.
In closing, Biden assured the Kennedy family, “the Biden family is here for you, as you’ve always been for us.”