Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy, has been hospitalized following a stroke, her children announced. Historians and political analyst Sue O’Connell share the unique place in U.S. and Massachusetts history she holds, as well as what her colorful, fun-loving reputation — did you know she was once arrested for stealing a malnourished horse?
Kennedy family matriarch Ethel Kennedy has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, her family said Tuesday.
Some of her children and grandchildren released a brief statement on social media, saying in part, “Unfortunately, on Thursday morning she suffered a stroke in her sleep. She was brought to an area hospital, where she is now receiving treatment. She is comfortable, she is getting the best care possible and she is surrounded by family.”
The 96-year-old is a 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom Award recipient and founder of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation – named, of course, after her late husband.
Bobby Kennedy was a U.S. Senator from New York and former U.S. Attorney General who was assassinated while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968.
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Ethel Kennedy is one of the last links to the Kennedy family “Camelot” era.
She’s a mother of 11 children, including former Massachusetts Congressman Joseph Kennedy II, former Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Robert Kennedy Jr., who suspended his bid for president in August.
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As of Wednesday night, RFK Jr. had not made a statement about his mother on his social media accounts.
The statement from other family members said she had a great summer and transition into fall, enjoying time with her children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
They said she spent time on the water – presumably near the family’s Hyannis Port compound – and enjoyed many lunches and dinners with family.
They did not say whether she was at home when she suffered a stroke. The statement also did not elaborate on where she is receiving treatment.
They did say she has led a remarkably fulfilling life, asking for prayers and privacy at this time. The Kennedy Compound in Hyannis was quiet Wednesday night.
Experts discuss Ethel Kennedy's life
A room at the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum is dedicated to Robert Kennedy and includes pictures of Ethel, including from their marriage and with their young family, as well as dolls they collected for their daughter Kathleen.
"She loved Cape Cod and fully embraced being a Cape Codder," said Wendy Norcross, the museum's executive director, describing Ethel as having an "indomitable spirit and can-do attitude," as well as being a fun-loving mom.
Ethel played a big role in helping her husband's career, according to Boston University professor of history Thomas Whalen.
"She was very good at the regular, retail end of politics. Kind of softened that hard edge image that Robert Kennedy had," he said.
He called her a kind of "coda to the Kennedy Dynasty. The end of what we call the American Century when America was unassailable, top of the world."
