Ethel Kennedy dies aged 96: what the matriarch of the famous political dynasty will be remembered for

The widow of US Senator and Attorney General Robert Kennedy, the younger brother of the 35th US President John F. Kennedy, human rights activist Ethel Kennedy died at the age of 96. The woman was hospitalized on October 8 due to a stroke.

Her death was reported by her grandson, former Congressman Joe Kennedy III. In turn, the American media showed a selection of photos of the woman.

"She died this morning from complications related to a stroke suffered last week. Along with a lifetime's work in social justice and human rights, our mother leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly," said Joe Kennedy III.

The grandson added that his grandmother was a devout Catholic, so the family is "comforted in knowing that she is reunited with the love of her life, our father, Robert F. Kennedy."

Ethel was born to George Skakel, a businessman and founder of Great Lakes Carbon Corporation, in Chicago in 1928. In 1945, she began studying at Manhattanville College, where she met Jean Kennedy, the sister of her future husband.

Ethel and Robert married in 1950. During their 18 years of marriage, the couple had 11 children.

The woman began to engage in politics before she was married, so it's no surprise that in 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, she helped Robert get elected to the U.S. Senate. And then, in 1968, she worked on his staff when her husband ran for president. In June of that year, Robert was assassinated.

Ethel Kennedy, who never married since then, survived her two sons. Her son David died in 1984 at the age of 28 from a drug overdose. Michael died 13 years later, after he got injured while skiing.

In the year of her husband's death, Ethel founded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation, which specializes in human rights protection. Since 2018, their daughter Carrie has been the head of the organization.

In 2014, US President Barack Obama awarded Ethel Kennedy with the highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal.

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