Kerry Kennedy details Ethel’s final bedside vigil with Jackie Onassis

Key points

• Kerry Kennedy, 67, spoke with Craig Melvin on TODAY on Oct. 12 about her mother’s final visit to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
• Ethel Kennedy, who died in 2024 at age 96, visited Onassis at her Manhattan apartment in 1994 when the latter was receiving hospice care.
• The new book, 'Ethel Kennedy: The Extraordinary Life and Bold Legacy,' releases on Oct. 13 and details the sisters-in-law’s relationship.
• Ethel and Jackie first met in 1953 at a St. Patrick’s Day party and bonded over their Catholic faith and shared history.
• Kerry describes her mother as 'extraordinarily chic' and 'fully alive,' contrasting with Jackie’s reserved nature.

Background

This story follows a recent trend in media where public figures disclose final conversations with deceased mentors or relatives, such as Miley Cyrus’s account of her last chat with Dolly Parton. Ethel Kennedy’s life was marked by significant tragedy, including the assassinations of her husband Robert F. Kennedy in 1968 and her brother-in-law John F. Kennedy in 1963, as well as the deaths of two of her sons. Despite these losses, she founded the Kennedy Human Rights Center and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014.

How outlets are covering it

TODAY.com emphasizes the spiritual and tender nature of the final moment, focusing on the shared faith and the physical act of Ethel crawling into bed with Jackie. CBS News provides a broader biographical context, highlighting Ethel’s resilience after her husband’s assassination and her complex relationship with her son Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is currently serving in the Trump administration. While TODAY focuses on the intimate bond between the two women, CBS frames Ethel’s life as a narrative of 'extraordinary joy' amidst profound loss and political controversy.

Why it matters

The release of Kerry Kennedy’s book offers a new perspective on the Kennedy family legacy, moving beyond political narratives to focus on personal relationships and resilience. It highlights the enduring bond between Ethel and Jackie Kennedy, two women who navigated public scrutiny and private tragedy together, providing insight into the private lives of iconic American figures.

What to watch

The book 'Ethel Kennedy: The Extraordinary Life and Bold Legacy' is available for purchase starting Oct. 13. Readers can expect further details on Ethel’s life, her advocacy for human rights, and her relationships with family members, including her controversial son Robert F. Kennedy Jr.