Kennedy Tragedies

Son of Joseph Sr. and Rose. Killed in plane crash in 1944 during World War II. His father had 'slated' him to be president. He was only 29 years old when he died.


Rosemary Kennedy

Daughter of Joseph Sr. and Rose. Institutionalized since 1941 because of retardation and failed lobotomy. Now 80 years old.


Kathleen Kennedy

Daughter of Joseph Sr. and Rose. She died in a plane crash on her way to what she hoped would be a reconciliation with her father. She was only 28 years old.


John F Kennedy

Son of Joseph Sr. and Rose, 35th president. Assassinated in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. Had a son name Patrick that died August 9,1963 who was two days old. JFK was only 46 years old.


Robert Francis Kennedy

President’s brother, assassinated in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968. Robert was running for the President office. He was only 42 years old.


David Anthony Kennedy

Son of Robert. Died in 1984 of a drug overdose in a hotel near family vacation home in Palm Beach, Fla. He was 28 years old when he died.


Joseph Patrick Kennedy II

Son of Robert. Involved in 1973 car accident that left a female passenger paralyzed for life. He divorce is wife Sheila who later wrote a book called “Shattered Faith.”


Michael LeMoyne Kennedy

Son of Robert. Accused of having affair with his family’s teen-age baby sitter. Killed Dec. 31, 1997, in a skiing accident at Aspen, Colo. He was 39.


Edward Moore Kennedy

Injured in plane crash 06/09/69. Drove a car off a bridge on Massachusetts’ Chappaquiddick Island on 07/18/1969, after a party. Aide Mary Jo Kopechne was later found dead in submerged car (30 years ago this weekend)


Edward Moore Kennedy, Jr

Son of Edward. Right leg amputated in 1973 because of cancer.




Patrick Joseph Kennedy

Son of Edward. Now a congressman from Rhode Island, sought treatment for cocaine addiction as a teen-ager in 1986.


William Kennedy Smith

Grandson of Joseph Sr. Accused of raping a woman in 1991 at the family’s Palm Beach estate; acquitted later that year. Is now a Chicago-based physician specializing in rehabilitation medicine