Ethel Skakel

Ethel Skakel was an American philanthropist, socialite, and matriarch of a prominent branch of the Kennedy family. She was the wife of United States Attorney General and U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, to whom she was married from 1950 until his assassination in 1968. A devout Roman Catholic, she was known for her large family, steadfast commitment to her husband's political career, and decades of charitable work, particularly for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Early life and family

Ethel Skakel was born on April 11, 1928, in Chicago, the daughter of wealthy industrialist George Skakel, founder of Great Lakes Carbon Corporation, and Ann Brannack. She was raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, alongside her six siblings, including her sister Pat, who was married to R. Sargent Shriver. She attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich and later Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, where she befriended Jean Kennedy Smith. Through her friendship with the Kennedy family, she was introduced to Robert F. Kennedy, whom she began dating.

Marriage to Robert F. Kennedy

Ethel Skakel married Robert F. Kennedy on June 17, 1950, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenwich, Connecticut. The ceremony was officiated by Francis Spellman, the Archbishop of New York. The couple eventually had eleven children, raising them primarily at their estate, Hickory Hill, in McLean, Virginia. She was a constant and energetic campaigner during her husband's successful runs for the United States Senate from New York and his 1968 presidential campaign. Her life was irrevocably altered by his murder at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

Public life and advocacy

Following the assassination of her husband, Ethel Skakel remained a dedicated public figure, focusing on philanthropy and perpetuating his legacy. She was a longtime supporter of the Special Olympics, an organization co-founded by her sister-in-law, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. She served on the board of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights (now Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights) and was a prominent fundraiser for the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. Her advocacy often centered on Catholic social teaching, civil rights, and support for families affected by violence and disability.

Later years and death

In her later decades, Ethel Skakel divided her time between Hickory Hill, the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port, and a residence in Cape Cod. She remained the matriarch of her extensive family, presiding over gatherings and milestones. She faced profound personal tragedies, including the deaths of two of her sons, David in 1984 and Michael in 1997. She died of natural causes on June 4, 2024, at her home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, at the age of 96.

Legacy and memorials

Ethel Skakel is remembered as a pillar of the Kennedy family and a symbol of resilience. Her life is commemorated in numerous biographies and documentaries about the family's history. The Ethel Kennedy Bridge in Medford, Massachusetts, was named in her honor. Her commitment to family and charitable causes left a lasting impact on institutions like the Special Olympics and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. Her funeral mass was held at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Centerville, Massachusetts, with burial at Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Category:1928 births Category:2024 deaths Category:Kennedy family Category:American philanthropists