Additional Coverage:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spent his Memorial Day weekend handling a pair of snakes, much to the concern of his wife, Cheryl Hines.
On Tuesday, May 26, Kennedy, who recently assumed the role of Secretary of Health at age 72, shared a video on X capturing a moment from his holiday. Alongside his wife and friend Dr.
Mehmet Oz, Kennedy was enjoying the sunshine on Oz’s beachside patio when they spotted two snakes in a corner. Undeterred, Kennedy approached the reptiles.
In the footage, Oz films as Kennedy attempts to capture the snakes, enduring several bites as he struggled to keep hold. Despite the painful snaps at his hands, Kennedy succeeded in holding both snakes up for the camera.
Meanwhile, Hines’s anxious reactions were audible throughout, including pleas of “Honey, honey. Why?
Honey why?” as Kennedy engaged with the creatures.
Kennedy seemed unfazed by his wife’s concern and even teased her by identifying the snakes as a dangerous, venomous species. “Those are dangerous!”
Hines exclaimed. “You’re nuts!”
she added as the snakes continued to bite his hands. Eventually, Kennedy handed the snakes over to Oz, with Hines urging, “Let it go!
Stop it Bobby, please.”
Kennedy later playfully captioned the clip on X: “Cheryl cheerleads the removal of a pair of Black Racers from Dr Oz’s patio.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cheryl Hines have been married since August 2014.
The couple first met in 2006 during a ski weekend fundraiser for the Waterkeeper Alliance, an environmental organization founded by Kennedy. At the time, Hines was working on the comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm, and their introduction was arranged by the show’s creator, Larry David.
Although they met in 2006, their relationship did not begin until five years later.
Their marriage has been closely followed by the public, especially amid Kennedy’s 2024 presidential campaign. During that time, rumors surfaced about a “digital affair” involving Kennedy and former New York Magazine reporter Olivia Nuzzi. Kennedy denied the claims, and Hines remained supportive throughout the campaign and after Kennedy withdrew from the race.
Hines has spoken candidly about the ordeal in interviews and in her memoir Unscripted. Reflecting on the scandal during an appearance on The Kate Miller Podcast, she described the experience as overwhelming.
“It was a lot,” she said, recalling the intense media scrutiny. She added, “Bobby had been running for president and it was an exhausting year-and-a-half of headlines and rumors and articles and chaos.
And at that time, I thought, ‘Okay, this is more chaos and more rumors.’” She also noted the backlash they faced, with some people objecting to her marriage to Kennedy amid the drama.
Despite the challenges, Hines and Kennedy continue to stand by each other, navigating both public attention and personal trials.