Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an American attorney, author, and environmental activist known for his work with the non-profit organization Riverkeeper and his outspoken advocacy on issues including vaccine hesitancy. A member of the prominent Kennedy family, he is the son of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy. In October 2023, he announced an independent campaign for President of the United States in the 2024 United States presidential election.

Early life and education

He was born in Washington, D.C., and spent much of his childhood at the family estate, Hickory Hill, in McLean, Virginia. His father's assassination in 1968 occurred when he was 14. He attended Harvard University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in American history and literature. He later studied at the London School of Economics before earning a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. During his youth, he worked on the presidential campaigns of his uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy.

Legal and environmental activism

After being admitted to the New York Bar, he began his career as an assistant district attorney in New York City. His focus shifted to environmental law in the 1980s, and he became a leading attorney for Riverkeeper, an organization dedicated to protecting the Hudson River and its watershed. He co-founded the Waterkeeper Alliance, a global network of similar advocacy groups. His legal battles targeted major polluters like General Electric over PCB contamination in the Hudson River and Con Edison for violations of the Clean Water Act. He served as a clinical professor and supervising attorney at Pace University School of Law's Environmental Litigation Clinic for over three decades.

Political views and 2024 presidential campaign

His political views are a blend of progressive environmentalism and skepticism toward mainstream public health and foreign policy. He is a prominent figure in the anti-vaccine movement, having founded and chaired the organization Children's Health Defense, which has been criticized for spreading medical misinformation. He has also expressed opposition to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, criticized Big Pharma, and advocated for agricultural reform. In April 2023, he launched a challenge for the Democratic presidential nomination against incumbent Joe Biden before switching to an independent candidacy in October 2023. His campaign has drawn support from a diverse coalition while facing significant opposition from members of his own family and the Democratic National Committee.

Personal life

He has been married three times: to Emily Ruth Black, with whom he had two children; to Mary Richardson, who died by suicide in 2012, with whom he had four children; and to actress Cheryl Hines in 2014. He has one child from a previous relationship. He has publicly struggled with and recovered from addiction to heroin, an experience he has discussed in interviews and writings. He is a devout Roman Catholic and has cited his faith as a guiding force in his life and activism. His recreational interests include whitewater kayaking and falconry.

Works and publications

He is the author of several books focusing on environmental issues and corporate accountability. His publications include *Crimes Against Nature* (2004), which criticizes the environmental policies of the George W. Bush administration, and *Thimerosal: Let the Science Speak* (2014), which argues against the use of the mercury-based preservative in vaccines. He also wrote *The Real Anthony Fauci* (2021), a best-selling critique of Anthony Fauci and the National Institutes of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has written for publications like *The New York Times* and *The Wall Street Journal* and has hosted the podcast *RFK Jr. The Defender Podcast*.

Category:American environmental lawyers Category:Kennedy family Category:2024 United States presidential candidates