Kennedy, Ethel (1928–)

American philanthropist and wife of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Born Ethel Skakel in Chicago, IL, April 11, 1928; dau. of George Skakel (coal magnate) and Ann (Brannack) Skakel; Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart, BA, 1949; m. Robert F. Kennedy (b. 1925, US senator), June 17, 1950 (assassinated June 5, 1968); children: Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (b. 1951); Joseph Patrick Kennedy II (b. 1952); Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (b. 1954); David Kennedy (1955–1984); (Mary) Courtney Kennedy Hill (b. 1956); Michael Kennedy (1958–1998); (Mary) Kerry Kennedy Cuomo (b. 1959); Christopher Kennedy (b. 1963); Matthew Maxwell T. Kennedy known as Max (b. 1965); Douglas Harriman Kennedy (b. 1967); Rory Kennedy (b. 1968).

Good at sports and an excellent equestrian, came into her own as the chic, energetic wife of RFK; with her constantly expanding family, settled into their home at Hickory Hill in McLean, Virginia; when brother-in-law Jack ran for president, turned out to be a 1st-rate campaigner, criss-crossing nation on his behalf and winning admiration of the press corps; when husband was attorney general, became one of the most visible and popular women in Washington, presiding over exuberant parties at Hickory Hill; threw herself into husband's campaign for US senate (1964), then president; was standing near him the night he was assassinated; in later years, devoted more time to charitable causes, which included overseeing the $10 million Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation; also became active in some of husband's causes, including the grape pickers' movement in California and the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation; for years, has also supported the Special Olympics.

See also Jerry Oppenheimer, The Other Mrs. Kennedy (St. Martin's, 1994); J. Randy Taraborrelli, Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot (Warner, 2000); Laurence Leamer, The Kennedy Women (Villard, 1994); and Women in World History.