Ethel Kennedy, the eldest member of the renowned Kennedy political family from Massachusetts, has been hospitalized following a stroke she experienced last week.
Her grandson, Joe Kennedy III, a former Massachusetts Representative, shared this update via a post on X, previously known as Twitter, on Tuesday.
“She was taken to a local hospital where she is currently receiving care,” he stated. “She is comfortable, receiving the best possible treatment, and is surrounded by her family. As many know, she is a resilient woman who has lived an extraordinary life. We are here to support her.”
At 96 years old, Ethel Kennedy holds the title of the oldest living member of the Kennedy family. Born on April 11, 1928, she has a significant legacy.
Ethel was married to Robert F. Kennedy, who served as the United States Attorney General and was tragically assassinated in 1968 while campaigning for the presidency. The couple was married for over 17 years, with Robert’s death occurring just days shy of their 18th anniversary. Since then, Ethel has not remarried.
Together, Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy raised eleven children. Many of their offspring have entered the political arena. Notably, their eldest child, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, served as Maryland’s first female lieutenant governor, and their son Joseph Kennedy II was a Massachusetts state representative.
Recently, Ethel’s son Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced his bid for the presidency in 2024 but later withdrew and endorsed former President Donald Trump in August. His endorsement drew criticism from family members. Kerry Kennedy expressed her concerns on X, stating, “Our brother Bobby’s decision to endorse Trump today is a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear.”