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Joan Kennedy, Matriarch of Famed Political Dynasty, Dies at 89; Maria Shriver Shares Heartfelt Tribute
Joan Kennedy, the former wife of the late Senator Ted Kennedy and a significant figure within the storied Kennedy family, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 89. Her death marks the end of an era for many, as she was the last surviving member of the family’s famed generation, often referred to as the “Camelot” era.
Maria Shriver, a niece by marriage and a prominent journalist herself, shared an emotional tribute to her aunt, highlighting Kennedy’s multifaceted life. “Not only was she a mom, but she was a grandmother too,” Shriver wrote in a moving online post. Shriver lauded Joan Kennedy as “an accomplished pianist, an arts advocate, and a beautiful soul.”
Shriver’s tribute also bravely acknowledged the challenges Joan Kennedy faced. “She valiantly shared her struggle with addiction so that others could share theirs,” Shriver noted.
“She courageously shared what it was like to lose a child, get divorced from a famous man, and carry on. Her life was challenging, but she persevered.”
A former model, Joan Bennett Kennedy married Ted Kennedy in 1958, becoming part of one of America’s most prominent political families. The couple had three children: Kara, Ted Jr., and Patrick.
Their marriage ended in divorce in 1983, and Joan never remarried. Senator Ted Kennedy passed away in 2009.
Reflecting on her personal connection, Shriver shared, “As a young girl, I marveled at her grace, her beauty, her elegance. As a woman, I respected her grit, her resilience, her perseverance.”
She concluded her message with a wish for peace for her aunt and appreciation for those who cared for her. The tribute, accompanied by a poignant black-and-white photograph, quickly drew an outpouring of condolences and support from followers.
Joan Kennedy’s passing is seen by many as closing a chapter on a generation that included her ex-husband Ted, President John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Robert F.
Kennedy. Her daughter, Kara Kennedy, died in 2011 from a heart attack, while her sons, Ted Jr. and Patrick, both have children of their own.
Maria Shriver, an Emmy-winning journalist, Today show contributor, and Alzheimer’s advocate, is the daughter of Eunice Kennedy — a sister to the late President John F. Kennedy — and Sargent Shriver. Eunice passed away in 2009, and Sargent in 2011.