Ethel Kennedy, the 96-year-old matriarch of one of Massachusetts’ most distinguished political families, has been hospitalized following a stroke she experienced last week.
Her grandson, former Massachusetts Representative Joe Kennedy III, shared the update on social media, revealing that she is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. He noted that she is comfortable, receiving excellent care, and surrounded by family. He emphasized her strength and the fulfilling life she has led, stating that the family is there to support her.
Ethel Kennedy is the widow of former United States Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968 while campaigning for the presidency. The couple was married for over 17 years, just shy of their 18th anniversary when he passed away. Ethel has not remarried since his death.
Together, Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy had 11 children. Many of their offspring have ventured into politics; their eldest child, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, served as Maryland’s first female lieutenant governor, while their son Joseph Kennedy II was a state representative in Massachusetts. Recently, Ethel’s son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced his presidential candidacy for 2024 but later withdrew and endorsed former President Donald Trump, a move that has drawn criticism from his siblings. Kerry Kennedy publicly expressed that their brother’s decision to back Trump goes against the core values upheld by their family.