The Kennedy family, an enduring symbol of American political power and prestige, is also marked by an extraordinary series of devastating events. From untimely deaths to public scandals, the sheer volume of misfortune has led many to believe in the existence of a “Kennedy curse.” This concept, fueled by decades of tragedy striking this prominent family, has captivated global attention, intertwined with their undeniable glamour, ambition, and influence.
This article delves into a timeline of the most significant incidents contributing to the narrative of the Kennedy curse, exploring the heartbreaking events that have shaped their legacy.
1941: Rosemary Kennedy’s Lobotomy and its Devastating Consequences
Rosemary Kennedy, the eldest daughter and sister to John F. Kennedy, faced developmental challenges from a young age, possibly due to oxygen deprivation at birth. As she grew, she struggled to meet developmental milestones, leading to specialized schooling and dedicated family support.
By her early twenties, Rosemary’s condition manifested in severe mood swings and unpredictable fits, making her mental health struggles increasingly difficult to manage privately. In a drastic decision, her father, Joseph Kennedy Sr., authorized a lobotomy, a then-experimental procedure, without consulting other family members beforehand.
Tragically, the lobotomy was performed incorrectly, leaving Rosemary permanently incapacitated with the mental capacity of a toddler. She lost her ability to walk and speak intelligibly and spent the rest of her life in institutional care. Rosemary’s condition was deliberately concealed from public knowledge, as the family feared it would negatively impact their burgeoning political aspirations.
Rosemary, Rose and Kathleen Kennedy in 1938, prior to Rosemary's lobotomy, showcasing the family's public image.
Image Credit: Keystone Press / Alamy Stock Photo
1944: Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.’s Wartime Death in Explosive Mission
Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., the ambitious eldest son, was groomed by his father for a future presidential run, aiming to be the first Catholic President of the United States. He embarked on a political career before enlisting in the US Naval Reserve during World War Two.
Becoming a naval aviator, Joe Jr. was stationed in Britain and completed 25 combat missions. He then volunteered for highly dangerous top-secret missions known as Operation Aphrodite and Operation Anvil.
In August 1944, during one of these missions, the explosives carried on his plane prematurely detonated, instantly killing Joe Jr. and his co-pilot. The details surrounding this perilous mission and his death were classified until the war’s end. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. was only 29 years old when he perished, cutting short a promising life and political trajectory.
1948: Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy’s Fatal Plane Crash in France
Kathleen Kennedy's wedding in 1944, a joyous occasion preceding the tragedies that would soon befall her and her loved ones.
Image Credit: Public Domain
Kathleen Kennedy, affectionately known as “Kick” for her vivacious personality, traveled to Paris to persuade her father to accept her relationship with Lord Fitzwilliam, a recently divorced aristocrat.
Traveling from Paris to the French Riviera in a private plane, they encountered a severe storm, subjecting the aircraft to extreme turbulence. Emerging from the storm clouds, the plane was in a steep dive, moments from crashing. Despite attempts to regain control, the aircraft succumbed to the stress and disintegrated mid-air. All four occupants, including Kathleen and Lord Fitzwilliam, died instantly. Notably, only her father, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., attended Kathleen’s funeral, highlighting the complex family dynamics amidst tragedy.
1963: The Short Life and Death of Patrick Kennedy
On August 7, 1963, Jacqueline Kennedy gave birth prematurely to a son, Patrick. He was immediately baptized and named Patrick Bouvier Kennedy. Tragically, he lived for only 39 hours, succumbing to hyaline membrane disease, a respiratory distress syndrome, despite intensive medical efforts.
The Kennedys had previously experienced a miscarriage and a stillbirth, adding to their parental heartbreak. Patrick’s death, however, brought significant public attention to infant respiratory illnesses, spurring crucial research and advancements in neonatology.
1963: Assassination of President John F. Kennedy
In a pivotal moment in American history, John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. He was 46 years old, serving as president for just under three years (1,036 days).
His assassination sent shockwaves across the globe, plunging America into deep mourning and triggering widespread public grief. For the Kennedy family, it was an unimaginable personal tragedy, losing a husband, father, uncle, son, and brother in such a violent and public manner.
Lee Harvey Oswald, John F. Kennedy’s assassin, was himself murdered before facing trial, fueling numerous conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination. The Warren Commission, established to investigate the assassination, concluded there was no evidence of a conspiracy. However, decades later, polls consistently indicate that a majority of Americans believe the assassination involved a conspiracy and a government cover-up.
1968: Robert F. Kennedy’s Assassination Shocks the Nation
Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), another prominent figure in the Democratic Party, served as US Attorney General and later as a Senator for New York.
In 1968, RFK emerged as a leading Democratic presidential candidate, following in his brother John’s footsteps. Shortly after winning the California primary on June 5, 1968, he was assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan, a young Palestinian who claimed to be retaliating against RFK’s pro-Israel stance during the 1967 Six-Day War.
Robert Kennedy’s assassination prompted the Secret Service to extend its protection mandate to include presidential candidates, reflecting the profound impact of this second Kennedy assassination within a decade.
Robert, Ted, and John Kennedy in 1962, brothers who defined American politics and experienced immense personal tragedies.
Image Credit: National Archives / Public Domain
1969: The Chappaquiddick Incident and Ted Kennedy’s Political Fallout
In July 1969, Senator Ted Kennedy was involved in a car accident on Chappaquiddick Island. After leaving a party late at night to drive Mary Jo Kopechne back to her lodging, his car veered off a bridge and plunged into Poucha Pond. Ted Kennedy escaped the vehicle, but Mary Jo Kopechne did not. He did not report the incident to authorities until the following morning.
By the time the police were notified, Mary Jo Kopechne’s body had been recovered from the submerged car. Ted Kennedy pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident causing personal injury and received a suspended jail sentence and a temporary driver’s license suspension.
The Chappaquiddick incident severely damaged Ted Kennedy’s presidential aspirations. Although he eventually ran for president in the 1980 Democratic primaries, he was defeated by incumbent President Jimmy Carter, and the shadow of Chappaquiddick continued to haunt his political career.
1973: Ted Kennedy Jr.’s Battle with Cancer and Amputation
Ted Kennedy Jr., son of Ted Kennedy and nephew of JFK, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer in his right leg, at the age of 12. In November 1973, his right leg was successfully amputated to combat the cancer. Fortunately, the cancer did not recur, and Ted Kennedy Jr. went on to lead a full and impactful life, becoming an advocate for disability rights.
1984: David Kennedy’s Tragic Overdose
David Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy’s fourth son, had a traumatic childhood. He nearly drowned as a young boy but was rescued by his father. The day after this near-death experience, he witnessed his father’s assassination on television, a profoundly scarring event.
To cope with this trauma, David turned to recreational drugs. A car accident in 1973 resulted in an addiction to opioids. Despite numerous attempts at rehabilitation following several minor overdoses, David struggled to overcome his addiction.
In April 1984, David Kennedy was found dead in a hotel room, having succumbed to an overdose of cocaine and prescription medication, marking another tragic loss for the family.
1999: John F. Kennedy Jr.’s Fatal Plane Crash with Wife and Sister-in-Law
John F. Kennedy Jr., born shortly after his father’s presidential election, tragically lost his father just before his third birthday.
In 1999, John F. Kennedy Jr., a successful lawyer and magazine publisher, piloted a private plane from New Jersey to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, en route to a family wedding with his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and sister-in-law, Lauren Bessette, as passengers. The plane was reported missing after failing to arrive and losing communication.
Wreckage and debris were discovered in the Atlantic Ocean, and their bodies were recovered from the seabed days later. Investigators concluded that Kennedy likely became disoriented during a nighttime descent over water, leading to the fatal crash. This event tragically claimed the life of JFK’s son, further solidifying the narrative of the Kennedy curse for many.
The series of misfortunes endured by the Kennedy family has cemented the idea of a “curse” in popular culture. Whether coincidence, fate, or the intense pressures of public life, the tragedies that have befallen them remain a somber chapter in American history, forever linked to this iconic political dynasty.
