Ethel Kennedy, a leading advocate for social justice, has passed away at 96, as her family shared through heartfelt social media posts.
Ethel, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy, died in Boston surrounded by family. Her death closes a life marked by activism, strength, and a deep love for her family.
Her grandson, Joe Kennedy III, announced on Twitter, “She died this morning from complications related to a stroke suffered last week.” Ethel is survived by nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.
Joe said his grandmother was a devout Catholic and found peace in believing she is now with her late husband Robert, her sons David and Michael, daughter-in-law Mary, and grandchildren Maeve and Saoirse, along with great-grandchildren Gideon and Josie.
Her son, Robert Kennedy Jr., also shared his grief on social media, mentioning his mother’s lively personality, saying, “She never lost her fun, humor, and spark.”
Many tributes followed, celebrating Ethel’s extraordinary life. Her niece, Maria Shriver, said, “What a life she led. What a huge family she leaves behind. I’m glad I could laugh with her this summer and share memories.”
Robert Kennedy Jr. shared that his mother, Ethel, often spoke with excitement about reuniting with loved ones who had passed, including her 16 Irish setters, all named “Rusty.”
Tributes continued to pour in, honoring Ethel’s life. Her niece, Maria Shriver, posted a touching message, saying, “What a life she led. What a huge family she created and leaves behind. I’m so glad I could laugh with her this summer and share memories.”
Maria also praised Ethel’s character, calling her fearless, funny, smart, a great athlete, and deeply patriotic. She mentioned how deeply Ethel loved her husband, Robert, who Maria affectionately called “Uncle Bobby.”
Maria highlighted Ethel’s strong faith, adding, “During the tough times, and there were many, she leaned on her faith, just like my own mother.”
After Maria’s tribute, Ethel’s granddaughter, Michaela Kennedy Cuomo, posted a touching photo on her Instagram Story. The image showed her hand holding Ethel’s, which was adorned with a large diamond ring. Set to Taylor Swift’s song “Starlight,” the picture reflected their closeness during Ethel’s final moments.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton also expressed his and Hillary’s condolences. He honored Ethel’s long and impactful life, calling her a “fierce fighter for justice and equality, a warm, wonderful woman, a great mother, and a dear friend.”
Bill fondly remembered Ethel for her personal touch, noting that she sent the “best Valentine’s Day cards ever” to their family. He added, “Hillary and I loved her very much and will always cherish the friendship, kindness, and support she gave us over the years.”
Ethel was born on April 11, 1928, to a wealthy family in Chicago. Her father, George Skakel, built a successful coal business, and the family eventually moved to a large estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, where Ethel grew up with her six siblings.
Ethel Kennedy attended several prestigious schools, starting with the all-girls Greenwich Academy in Connecticut, followed by the Convent of the Sacred Heart in the Bronx, and then Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart. It was at college where she met Jean Kennedy, and they became close friends and roommates. This friendship would eventually change her life forever.
In 1945, at the age of 17, Ethel met Jean’s brother, Robert Kennedy, during a skiing trip at Mount Tremblant Resort in Quebec, Canada. At that time, Robert was dating Ethel’s sister, Patricia Skakel. After that relationship ended, Ethel and Robert began dating, marking the start of their lifelong partnership.
Ethel’s involvement in public life went beyond her marriage to Robert. She became well-known for her strong support of John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign and later, her husband’s successful run for a U.S. Senate seat representing New York.
Ethel Kennedy’s impact was vast, as seen in the numerous tributes and birthday wishes from family and friends. Throughout her 96 years, she was known not only for her strong humanitarian work but also for the deep love she had for those around her. Ethel will be remembered for her enduring legacy of fighting for social justice and her dedication to family. Her compassion, strength, and warm spirit touched countless lives, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
Camila Cabello Reveals the Unexpected Inspiration Behind Her Ice Block Purse, and People Can’t Help but Notice One Detail
Camila Cabello caught everyone’s attention at the Met Gala with her unique ice clutch. The event took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, where the 2024 Met Gala showcased some unforgettable looks. Her choice of accessory was especially unusual and came with a unique story.
Camila Cabello explained her unique accessory choice to Extra, saying, “I feel like it is impermanence and things decaying over time and the beauty in that.”
True to its theme, the ice clutch didn’t last the night. The former Fifth Harmony star revealed that the purse had transformed during the event. “It was a purse,” she said, “but then it broke about 5 minutes into being in line, so I called my stylist like, ‘What do I do?’”
With some quick thinking, Cabello decided to hold the remaining piece like a clutch and remarked, “We’re just trying things here.”
The clutch wasn’t just a block of ice. Designed by Jane Wade, it also featured a copper rose, echoing the single flower on the gala’s invitations, tying into the overall theme beautifully.
Cabello’s outfit included more nods to the theme of “beauty in decay.” Her stunning gown, designed by Ludovic de Saint Sernin, weighed 15 pounds and was adorned with 250,000 Swarovski crystals. The dress had intentional rips at the bottom, linking back to her theme of impermanence. To complete her look, she wore iridescent makeup and styled her hair in a “wet” ponytail.
The “Señorita”singer had the gala’s “Garden of Time” theme in mind when assembling her outfit, but she was also inspired by something else — her upcoming album, C,XOXO, set to release on June 28.
“It’s Miami-themed,” she shared with Variety, “so we’re dripping, we’re wet.” This statement not only ties back to her album’s theme, but also cleverly connects with her look and the gala’s overall ambiance.
Fans were quick to react to Camila Cabello’s unique ice purse, noticing that it was actually made from real ice as droplets visibly fell from it. Many initially mistook it for glass until they saw the melting. Concerned comments also emerged, with fans asking about the comfort of her hand, wondering, “Is your hand doing okay?” and even humorously questioning, “How did your hand not fall off?” One fan expressed admiration, exclaiming, “You are incredible! How could you even hold the ice for such a long time?”
The 2024 Met Gala featured the theme “The Garden of Time,” inspired by J.G. Ballard’s 1962 story. Celebrities wore outfits that highlighted the brief and changing nature of beauty and time. Check out more outfits here.
Preview photo credit ANGELA WEISS/AFP/East News, ANGELA WEISS/AFP/East News
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