The Kennedy political dynasty's matriarch, Ethel Kennedy, wife of the late Senator Robert Kennedy and sister-in-law to former President John F Kennedy, has suffered a stroke, her family disclosed recently.
The 96-year-old Kennedy is a figure of strength and resilience, having led a life filled with remarkable accomplishments and personal challenges.
According to the Daily Mail, Kerry Kennedy, Ethel's daughter, released a statement providing an update on her mother's health. She wrote, "I want to let you know about my incredible mother, Ethel Kennedy. Unfortunately, on Thursday morning she suffered a stroke in her sleep." She further detailed that her mother was promptly taken to a local hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment. "She is comfortable, she is getting the best care possible and she is surrounded by family," she added.
Kerry Kennedy lauded her mother as a 'strong woman' who has led a 'remarkably fulfilling life.' She urged people to keep her mother in their thoughts and prayers, and requested respect for the family's privacy during this challenging time.
Ethel Kennedy, up until her recent health setback, was reportedly in good spirits. "She has had a great summer and transition into fall," her daughter shared. "Every day she enjoyed time with her children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was able to get out on the water, visit the pier, and enjoy many lunches and dinners with family. It has been a gift to all of us and to her as well."
The matriarch of the Kennedy family, Ethel is the mother of eleven children with the late Senator Kennedy, to whom she was married from 1950 until his assassination in 1968. She was pregnant with their youngest child at the time, a daughter the senator never had the chance to meet.
Following her husband's tragic death, Ethel Kennedy founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, dedicating her life to the pursuit of world peace. Her tireless efforts were recognized in 2014 when then-President Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, for 'advancing the cause of social justice, human rights, environmental protection, and poverty reduction.' During the ceremony, Obama praised her, saying she has 'touched the lives of countless people around the world with her generosity and grace.'
This past April, Ethel Kennedy celebrated her 96th birthday, surrounded by her loving family, including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A photograph from the occasion, shared by her grandson and former Congressman Joe Kennedy III, depicted the nonagenarian matriarch smiling amidst dozens of family members, a testament to her enduring spirit and the legacy she continues to inspire.
Login