Ethel Kennedy faced unimaginable heartbreak throughout her life. Among the many tragedies she endured was the sudden loss of two of her sons. Take a closer look at the heartbreaking deaths of David and Michael Kennedy.
Ethel Kennedy, the wife of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, was a prominent figure in American history, known for her unwavering commitment to social justice and her strength in the face of family tragedies.
Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy boarding a plane for San Juan, Puerto Rico, in March 1966. | Source: Getty Images
Born into a political dynasty, she married into one of the most iconic American families. She and Robert raised 11 children, navigating both the highs of public service and the lows of personal loss.
Despite her remarkable resilience, Ethel was no stranger to heartache, having tragically lost two of her sons — David and Michael Kennedy — in sudden and devastating circumstances.
Ethel Kennedy at the Restore Ball in New York City on September 28, 1970. | Source: Getty Images
David, the fourth of Ethel’s children, led a life deeply affected by trauma. At just 13 years old, he witnessed the assassination of his father on live television, an event that haunted him for the rest of his life.
Despite his promising beginnings, the emotional toll of his father’s death led David down a path of addiction. On April 25, 1984, he was found dead in his hotel room in Palm Beach, Florida, at 28.
David and Chris Kennedy watching a tennis match with their cousin, Ted Kennedy Jr., on August 25, 1974. | Source: Getty Images
He had struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for many years, and while his cause of death wasn’t immediately clear, investigators eventually ruled out suicide.
There were ”no signs of foul play,” said Sergeant Henry L. Marchman, spokesman for the Police Department of Palm Beach. The results of a preliminary autopsy tonight were being studied, as officials suspected it was an accidental overdose.
David Kennedy at the Democratic National Convention on July 15, 1976, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
David, who resided in Boston, traveled to Palm Beach to visit his grandmother, Rose Kennedy, who was in poor health. His body was discovered by a hotel secretary, Elizabeth Barnett, around 11:30 a.m. after a family member called to check if he had left for his flight.
When there was no response from his room phone, the hotel staff were instructed to investigate, according to hotel spokesman Gerald H. Beebe Jr.
David Kennedy in New York in 1984. | Source: Getty Images
The spokesman noted that hotel staff had seen David the previous Tuesday, describing him as being in good spirits. A desk clerk even recalled him waving as he passed the front desk.
David’s uncle, Senator Edward Kennedy, reflected on his nephew’s troubled life, stating, “We all pray that David has finally found the peace that he did not find in life.” The Kennedy family were no strangers to tragedy and mourned deeply, but the heartbreak did not end there.
Members of the Kennedy family escorted by Ethel Kennedy carrying the casket of David Kennedy from the hearse to the Kennedy House on May 4, 1984. | Source: Getty Images
Thirteen years later, in 1997, another devastating blow struck Ethel when her son Michael died in a skiing accident. Known for his adventurous spirit, Michael was skiing in Aspen, Colorado, when he collided with a tree, resulting in his immediate death at 39.
Michael Kennedy and Vicky Gifford at Attorney Roy Cohn’s birthday party in New York City on February 22, 1981. | Source: Getty Images
Michael had faced controversy in the years leading up to his death due to an alleged affair with the family’s babysitter. The scandal even affected his brother Joseph P. Kennedy II’s political aspirations.
NICOLE KIDMAN, 56, SPARKS CONTROVERSY IN REVEALING BACKLESS DRESS – ‘NOT ELEGANT AT ALL’
Nicole Kidman, the celebrated 56-year-old actress, recently grabbed headlines with her attire choice at the Prime Video premiere of her series Expats. Renowned for her breakthrough performance in Days of Thunder, Kidman turned heads in a sleek, form-fitting black gown by Atelier Versace. The eye-catching outfit boasted a daring backless design, a high slit, and showcased her figure with ample skin on each side.
Kidman flawlessly accessorized her ensemble with shimmering silver jewelry from Roberto Coin, complemented by rose-tinted makeup, and left her hair cascading loosely. As images of Kidman in her Versace dress circulated online, public reactions were mixed, with some applauding her fashion statement and others offering criticism.
Critics raised concerns about Kidman’s appearance, with social media comments ranging from disappointment in her choice to scrutiny over her physique and perceived elegance. Nonetheless, amid the negative feedback, there were admirers who lauded Kidman’s fashion sense, praising the gown’s beauty and labeling it as one of the best they’ve seen in a while.
Despite the online discourse, Kidman has long been regarded as a fashion icon in the entertainment realm. She credits her love for fashion to the influence of her mother, Janelle, and grandmother, both of whom possessed skills in sewing, embroidering, and knitting. Kidman fondly recalls her upbringing, emphasizing how being surrounded by fashion-loving women instilled a similar passion in her.
In interviews, Kidman has expressed her enduring fondness for fashion and the joy she finds in involving her mother in her dressing process for events. She gravitates towards classic styles with a contemporary twist and isn’t afraid to embrace edginess in her fashion selections. Kidman also considers herself fortunate in the fashion industry, having forged friendships with designers during her early days in the United States.
The article encourages readers to share their opinions on Nicole Kidman’s attire, inviting them to voice their thoughts in the comments section.
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