Ethel Kennedy died at the age of 96 on Thursday.
The Kennedy matriarch suffered a stroke last week and was receiving treatment when she died, according to an X post by her grandson, former Rep. Joe Kennedy III.
"It is with our hearts full of love that we announce the passing of our amazing grandmother, Ethel Kennedy," he posted. "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."
It is with our hearts full of love that we announce the passing of our amazing grandmother, Ethel Kennedy. 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...
— Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) October 10, 2024
He added that the Kennedy family is "comforted in knowing she is reunited with the love of her life, our father, Robert F. Kennedy; her children David and Michael; her daughter-in-law Mary; her grandchildren Maeve and Saoirse; and her great-grandchildren Gideon and Josie."
Kennedy was married to Robert F. Kennedy from 1950 until his assassination in 1968, after which she vowed to never remarry. They shared 11 children, including former Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Ethel was born in Chicago in 1928 to a coal magnate, according to the JFK Library, but grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut. She met her future husband, "Bobby" Kennedy, during a trip in Quebec, Canada. Although he was dating her sister at the time, the couple reconnected after their relationship ended.
She then dedicated her life to politics. In addition to being honored with the Robert F. Kennedy medal by former President Ronald Reagan in 1981, she also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Barack Obama for dedicating "her life to advancing the cause of social justice, human rights, environmental protection, and poverty reduction by creating countless ripples of hope to effect change around the world."
"Please keep her in your hearts and prayers," Kennedy III added.
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