Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy and mother of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was honored in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, with President Joe Biden delivering the eulogy at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton also paid tribute at the service.
Kennedy, a prominent human rights advocate and matriarch, passed away in her sleep earlier this month at the age of 96, following a stroke.
During his remarks, President Biden reflected on the deep bond he shared with Kennedy, recalling how she supported him during a difficult period in his life when his first wife and daughter were tragically killed in a car accident in 1972. He shared that she sent him a letter after he was elected president in 2020, expressing her comfort in knowing the nation was in his hands, and he humorously recounted her annual Valentine’s Day cards.
Biden described Kennedy as a person of integrity and compassion who encouraged him during his frustrations with Congress, stating that she helped him through moments when he considered leaving the Senate. He emphasized that the nation is better for her contributions, as she took up her late husband’s causes and made them her own.
Obama praised Kennedy as a “big dose in a small package” who was passionate about a wide range of issues, from juvenile justice to civil rights, while Clinton referred to her as an “amazing fireball” with boundless energy, reminiscing about her charismatic spirit.
The memorial service also featured musical performances by Stevie Wonder and Kenny Chesney in her honor. Ethel Kennedy is survived by her nine children, 34 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. Her grandson, Joe Kennedy III, described her as a strong woman who led a fulfilling life.
President Biden highlighted Kennedy’s role as an American icon, embodying resilience and moral courage, emphasizing her dedication to both family and country. He celebrated her spirit, stating that she inspired many, including himself and First Lady Jill Biden.
Ethel Kennedy, who had 11 children, raised them primarily alone after her husband’s assassination in 1968. Her son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was a presidential candidate in 2024 before suspending his campaign and endorsing Donald Trump.
Kennedy endured significant personal loss throughout her life, including the tragic deaths of her parents in a plane crash in 1955, her son David from a drug overdose at 28, and her son Michael in a skiing accident at 39. Both her husband and brother-in-law, President John F. Kennedy, were also assassinated. In the wake of her husband’s death, she founded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation in October 1968.