Ethel Kennedy, the wife of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, passed away at 96 years old. She was known for her dedication to human rights and social justice. Born into a large family in Chicago, Ethel met her future husband through his sister, Jean Kennedy, on a ski trip in 1945. They married in 1950 and had 11 children together.
Ethel Kennedy was by her husband's side during his successful Senate campaign and his run for the 1968 presidential election. Tragically, he was assassinated in Los Angeles just after winning the California Democratic primary. This event, along with the assassinations of her brother-in-law, President John F. Kennedy, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., deeply affected the nation.
After her husband's death, Ethel became an influential activist, founding the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization. She worked on various causes, from environmental issues to human rights, and even participated in a hunger strike in 2018 to protest the Trump administration's family separation policy at the US-Mexico border.
Ethel Kennedy's life was marked by both triumphs and tragedies. She lost several family members in accidents and overdoses. Despite these losses, she remained a devoted Catholic and a passionate advocate for social justice. Her family consists of nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren, all of whom admired her greatly.
In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded Ethel the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. Her activism continued until her final days, making her a true icon of resilience and moral courage.
