The Kennedy family, one of the most prominent political dynasties in the United States, has been no stranger to tragedy. Over the years, countless misfortunes, from horrific accidents to untimely deaths, have led many to believe in what has become known as the “Kennedy curse.” This theory suggests that a series of unfortunate events has followed the family, leaving behind a trail of grief and loss.
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The Kennedy family photographed in the 1930s (Bachrach/Getty Images)
The Tragic Beginnings: Rosemary Kennedy (1941)
Rosemary Kennedy, born in 1918, was the third child of Joseph and Rose Kennedy. At birth, she was deprived of oxygen, which caused developmental delays. At 23, her father subjected her to a lobotomy in an attempt to cure her intellectual difficulties. The procedure went terribly wrong, leaving Rosemary incapacitated with the mental capacity of a child. She spent most of her life in institutional care and passed away in 2005 at the age of 86.
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Rosemary Kennedy with her sister, Jean (Getty Images)
The Loss of Joe Kennedy Jr. (1944)
Joe Kennedy Jr., the eldest son of Joseph and Rose, was on a mission during World War II when his plane exploded mid-air in 1944. Joe, who was just 29 years old, was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery. His death marked one of the earliest and most tragic losses in the Kennedy family.
Joseph P. Kennedy Jr (Getty Images)
Kathleen Kennedy’s Tragic Love Story (1948)
Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, Joe’s younger sister, also faced her share of heartbreak. She married British aristocrat William Cavendish, the Marquess of Hartington, but just months after their wedding, her husband was killed in Belgium during World War II. In 1948, Kathleen herself died in a plane crash while traveling to Paris. She was 28 years old.
Kathleen with her husband William Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington (Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
The Loss of Young Patrick Kennedy (1963)
JFK’s son, Patrick, was born prematurely in August 1963 and died just 39 hours later due to complications. This was the third pregnancy loss for JFK and Jacqueline Kennedy. Only three months later, JFK himself was assassinated.
JFK and his then fiance Jacqueline (Getty Images)
JFK’s Assassination (1963)
One of the most infamous tragedies associated with the Kennedy family is the assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. JFK was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 46, shaking the nation to its core. Despite his long battle with health issues, including a chronic back injury, his death marked the beginning of a tragic legacy for the family.
The Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy (1968)
In 1968, just five years after JFK’s assassination, Robert F. Kennedy was killed by an assassin’s bullet. RFK, who was a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, was gunned down shortly after winning the California primary. He was 42 years old. His death left the family, and the country, grieving once again.
The Chappaquiddick Incident (1969)
Ted Kennedy, the youngest son of Joseph and Rose, faced one of the most public tragedies in his life in 1969. After a party on Chappaquiddick Island, Ted drove a woman named Mary Jo Kopechne off a bridge, where the car submerged in the water. Ted escaped, but Mary Jo tragically drowned. He didn’t report the incident until hours later. The scandal tarnished his political career and his chances of ever becoming president.
Ted Kennedy Jr.’s Struggles (1973)
Ted Kennedy Jr. faced his own medical challenges at the age of 12 when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. He underwent surgery to amputate his leg. Though he survived the cancer and continues to work as an attorney, his life has been marked by the family’s ongoing struggles. He narrowly avoided death himself in 1982 when he missed being aboard Air Florida Flight 90, which crashed into the Potomac River, killing 74 people.
The Tragic Overdose of David Kennedy (1984)
David Kennedy, RFK’s son, also faced a tragic fate. Struggling with addiction, David died in 1984 from a drug overdose, a combination of cocaine and prescription medication. His death came after years of personal struggles, including the trauma of witnessing his father’s assassination.
JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette died in a plane crash (Justin Ide/Newsmakers)
The Plane Crash That Killed JFK Jr. (1999)
In 1999, another devastating loss occurred when JFK’s son, John F. Kennedy Jr., died in a plane crash. John-John, as he was affectionately known, had been a beloved public figure, working as a journalist and starting his own magazine. He was flying with his wife, Carolyn Bessette, and her sister when the plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. All three passengers were killed. The tragedy came just a few months after the death of his cousin, Michael Kennedy, in a skiing accident.
The Kennedy Curse: A Legacy of Tragedy
From plane crashes to assassinations, the Kennedy family has experienced an extraordinary number of heartbreaking events. Many believe that these tragedies point to a so-called “Kennedy curse” — a pattern of misfortune that has plagued one of America’s most prominent families.
While there is no scientific explanation for the series of tragedies, the Kennedy curse remains a widely discussed theory. The family’s resilience, however, in the face of so much loss is remarkable. Despite the dark legacy of premature deaths and misfortunes, the Kennedys continue to be an influential force in American politics and society.
This ongoing tragedy makes the Kennedy family one of the most tragic dynasties in modern American history. Their story continues to captivate people, and with each new loss, the notion of the “Kennedy curse” only seems to grow stronger.
Full Story: The Life of a Kennedy: From Tragedy to Legacy
Full Story: The Kennedy Family’s Greatest Triumphs and Tragedies
