Ethel Kennedy faced unimaginable heartbreak throughout her life. Among the many tragedies she endured was the sudden loss of two of her sons. Take a closer look at the heartbreaking deaths of David and Michael Kennedy.
Ethel Kennedy, the wife of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, was a prominent figure in American history, known for her unwavering commitment to social justice and her strength in the face of family tragedies.
Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy boarding a plane for San Juan, Puerto Rico, in March 1966. | Source: Getty Images
Born into a political dynasty, she married into one of the most iconic American families. She and Robert raised 11 children, navigating both the highs of public service and the lows of personal loss.
Despite her remarkable resilience, Ethel was no stranger to heartache, having tragically lost two of her sons — David and Michael Kennedy — in sudden and devastating circumstances.
Ethel Kennedy at the Restore Ball in New York City on September 28, 1970. | Source: Getty Images
David, the fourth of Ethel’s children, led a life deeply affected by trauma. At just 13 years old, he witnessed the assassination of his father on live television, an event that haunted him for the rest of his life.
Despite his promising beginnings, the emotional toll of his father’s death led David down a path of addiction. On April 25, 1984, he was found dead in his hotel room in Palm Beach, Florida, at 28.
David and Chris Kennedy watching a tennis match with their cousin, Ted Kennedy Jr., on August 25, 1974. | Source: Getty Images
He had struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for many years, and while his cause of death wasn’t immediately clear, investigators eventually ruled out suicide.
There were ”no signs of foul play,” said Sergeant Henry L. Marchman, spokesman for the Police Department of Palm Beach. The results of a preliminary autopsy tonight were being studied, as officials suspected it was an accidental overdose.
David Kennedy at the Democratic National Convention on July 15, 1976, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
David, who resided in Boston, traveled to Palm Beach to visit his grandmother, Rose Kennedy, who was in poor health. His body was discovered by a hotel secretary, Elizabeth Barnett, around 11:30 a.m. after a family member called to check if he had left for his flight.
When there was no response from his room phone, the hotel staff were instructed to investigate, according to hotel spokesman Gerald H. Beebe Jr.
David Kennedy in New York in 1984. | Source: Getty Images
The spokesman noted that hotel staff had seen David the previous Tuesday, describing him as being in good spirits. A desk clerk even recalled him waving as he passed the front desk.
David’s uncle, Senator Edward Kennedy, reflected on his nephew’s troubled life, stating, “We all pray that David has finally found the peace that he did not find in life.” The Kennedy family were no strangers to tragedy and mourned deeply, but the heartbreak did not end there.
Members of the Kennedy family escorted by Ethel Kennedy carrying the casket of David Kennedy from the hearse to the Kennedy House on May 4, 1984. | Source: Getty Images
Thirteen years later, in 1997, another devastating blow struck Ethel when her son Michael died in a skiing accident. Known for his adventurous spirit, Michael was skiing in Aspen, Colorado, when he collided with a tree, resulting in his immediate death at 39.
Michael Kennedy and Vicky Gifford at Attorney Roy Cohn’s birthday party in New York City on February 22, 1981. | Source: Getty Images
Michael had faced controversy in the years leading up to his death due to an alleged affair with the family’s babysitter. The scandal even affected his brother Joseph P. Kennedy II’s political aspirations.
Joe and Michael Kennedy at the Starlight Foundation Awards on February 1, 1987. | Source: Getty Images
The Kennedy family released a statement following Michael’s death, sharing, “Ethel Kennedy and her family are mourning the loss of their beloved son Michael, who was fatally injured while skiing with his family in Aspen.”
“He was a special and wonderful father, son, brother, cousin, and friend, and his family would appreciate your prayers during this tragic time,” the statement continued.
Michael Kennedy waving to a group of people gathered in Boston to celebrate the reelection of Edward Kennedy as a Massachusetts senator on November 9, 1994. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the overwhelming grief of losing two sons, Ethel continued to be a symbol of strength, guiding her remaining children and grandchildren through their own lives with grace.
Ethel and Robert Kennedy Jr., Jean Kennedy-Smith, Rory Kennedy, and other family members at the New York premiere of “Ethel” on October 15, 2012. | Source: Getty Images
On April 12, 2024, she celebrated her 96th birthday with her loving family. Her grandson, Joe Kennedy, posted a heartfelt photo on X, formerly Twitter, showing Ethel smiling and surrounded by her large family.
The image radiated warmth, and social media users quickly flooded the post with admiration. “That’s an amazing looking family!” one person wrote. Another added, “What a great picture!” A third typed, “What a great family.”
Sadly, months later, Ethel passed away at her home in Boston, surrounded by her loved ones. Joe shared the heartbreaking news on social media on October 10, noting that Ethel’s passing marked the end of a remarkable life defined by her devotion to her family and her steadfast Catholic faith.
Ethel Kennedy in Washington, DC, on December 11, 2008. | Source: Getty Images
In his tribute, Joe reflected on his grandmother’s legacy, noting that she left behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.
He also believes that Ethel has been reunited with her late husband, Robert F. Kennedy, her sons David and Michael, daughter-in-law, Mary, and grandchildren Maeve and Saoirse.
Ethel Kennedy’s life was one of triumphs and tragedies, but above all, it was a life of unwavering love for her family. Though she has passed away, her legacy endures through her children, grandchildren, and the countless lives she touched through her activism and public service.
