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.
GEORGE W. BUSH REVEALS GRANDSON’S HEARTWARMING NAME INSPIRED BY GREAT-GRANDFATHERS
George W. Bush is excited to share some happy family news!
The former U.S. president, now 78, announced on social media that his family has grown. On Tuesday, August 6, Bush posted a touching photo on Instagram to celebrate the birth of his new grandson. He congratulated his daughter, Barbara Pierce Bush, and her husband, Craig Coyne, on the arrival of their second child.
George W. Bush is celebrating the newest addition to his family!
The 78-year-old former U.S. president proudly announced the birth of his grandson on social media. On August 6, Bush shared a heartwarming photo on Instagram to congratulate his daughter, Barbara Pierce Bush, and her husband, Craig Coyne, on the arrival of their second child.
The couple, who already have a 2-year-old daughter named Cora Georgia, welcomed their son, Edward Finn, a few days earlier. In the touching photo, Barbara and Craig are seen holding their newborn son in a hospital bed, looking very happy as they look at their baby boy. Bush’s Instagram caption read, “Welcome to the world, Edward Finn Coyne. @laurawbush and I are proud grandparents of our newest blessing, born on August 4 and lovingly named in honor of his great-grandfathers. Congratulations to Barbara, Craig, and big sister Cora Georgia.”
The news was first shared by Barbara’s twin sister, Jenna Bush Hager, on August 5. Jenna, who co-anchors the *Today* show, posted on Instagram about her excitement to be an aunt again. She wrote, “My sissy had a little mister and I fell madly in love with Edward Finn! ,” and shared several photos of the special moments after Edward’s birth. One picture shows Jenna feeding her new nephew, another shows Barbara holding Edward while Jenna watches, and a third shows Edward peacefully resting in his mother’s arms.
Jenna Bush Hager didn’t give more details about her nephew’s birth, but the photos she shared show how happy the family is. Edward was wearing a hat from NYU Langone Health, which suggests that Barbara might have had him at this well-known New York City hospital.
This isn’t the first time George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, have expressed their joy about becoming grandparents. When Barbara and Craig’s daughter, Cora, was born, the Bushes announced the news with a statement. They said, “With full hearts, @laurawbush and I are delighted to announce the birth of our new granddaughter. Barbara gave birth to Cora Georgia Coyne on September 27, 2021, in Maine – not far from our family home where Barbara and Craig were married. Cora is healthy and adorable, and we are proud and grateful.”
What a wonderful new addition to the Bush family!
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