The Kennedy family continues to captivate audiences across generations. Following renewed interest earlier this year with the miniseries Love Story, the spotlight is back on the family behind some of America’s most enduring political and cultural stories.
But beyond their famous marriages, Ethel Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy made their own marks on society while enduring profound personal tragedies that would strengthen their bond. Now, Kerry Kennedy is sharing a closer look at the connection between her mother and the former first lady in her new book, Ethel Kennedy: The Extraordinary Life and Bold Legacy. Out on October 13th, the timing is meaningful as Oct. 10 marks two years since Ethel died at 96.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Kerry recalls how the two women began their lives together, long before their names became synonymous with American politics. Viewers saw Jackie mostly through her role as a mother. Kerry’s memories show another side of her.
In the early 1950s, Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy shared a house in Georgetown with Robert’s brother, John F. Kennedy. At the time, John and Jackie were dating, and the couples spent time together – going on double dates and to the movies. Robert and Ethel married in 1950, then John and Jackie in 1953. The two women went on to build a family life filled with shared interests, laughter, and creativity.
“They both read constantly – two or three books a week throughout their lives,” Kerry tells PEOPLE. She adds that her mother and Jackie also had a wonderful sense of humor and loved writing songs about the family, creating new lyrics to familiar hits and performing them at parties.
Their kinship would take on an even deeper connection as both women faced devastating losses. John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, followed by Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1968.
That shared history came through in their final evening together. Shortly before Jackie died of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in May 1994, Kerry and Ethel went to see her. Kerry described the visit as sad but peaceful, a moment between “these two women who had shared so much.”
Ethel lived 30 more years and endured more tragedy, including the deaths of two sons, two granddaughters and a great-grandson. Kerry credits her mother’s deep Catholic faith, including daily Mass and nightly rosaries, with helping her carry on.
For readers who only know the Kennedys from headlines or the small screen, Kerry’s book offers an intimate look at the women behind them. As the anniversary of Ethel’s death approaches, it’s also a reminder that her story was much more than the man she loved and married.