Truth behind ‘Kennedy curse’ after John F. Kennedy Jr.’s death draws renewed attention
The family are known for what's been dubbed the 'Kennedy curse' after a series of tragedies
A newly announced Netflix show, Kennedy, which delves into one of America's most notorious dynasties has drawn renewed intention to the tragedies that have befallen the Kennedy family over the years.
Despite being one of the most famous names around the world, the family are also known for what's been dubbed the 'Kennedy curse' thanks to a series of tragedies, plane crashes, accidents and assassinations that have plagued the family for generations.
According to one author, the family knew about the so-called curse. In fact, it was Ted Kennedy who came up with it.
“Generally, they did not believe in the curse,” author J. Randy Taraborrelli, who penned The Kennedy Heirs, told PEOPLE.
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“It was Ted Kennedy who came up with the concept of the curse after Chappaquiddick, when he was giving his public address — and said he wondered if perhaps that explained the terrible things that had happened to the family, including the death of Mary Jo Kopechne. And after that, the Kennedy curse became this sort of wide-ranging explanation for a lot of things that were happening. But when things got rough for them, I think they slipped into wondering if maybe there really was some kind of curse.”
So what is the Kennedy curse? And is it plausible that it could actually be real? Let's get into it.
Rosemary Kennedy
Rosemary was the eldest daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy and was born with learning difficulties that were never diagnosed.
Tragically, in 1941, in an attempt to cure Rosemary of her ailments, Joseph authorised for Rosemary to have a lobotomy, which ended up removing Rosemary's ability to speak or walk.
She spent the rest of her life in a Roman Catholic institution in Winsconsin.
Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.
Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. was the eldest son of Joseph Sr. and Rose, and the brother of President John F. Kennedy. He was sadly killed in a plane crash on 12 August 1944 when he was just 29 years old.
Kathleen Kennedy
The parents lost another child, Kathleen, when she was just 28. Kathleen also died in a plane crash, in 1948, when she was travelling in Paris.
Patrick Kennedy
On 7 August 1963, JFK's wife, Jacqueline Kennedy gave birth to a son named Patrick, who sadly only lived for 39 hours after being born premature.
Jacqueline and JFK had already suffered a miscarriage and stillbirth prior to Patrick's death.
President John F. Kennedy
The most famous death within the Kennedy family was of course that of President John F. Kennedy who was assassinated in 1963.
The president had been riding in the presidential motorcade alongside Jacqueline, in Dallas, Texas, when he was shot at around 12.30pm.
JFK was rushed to Parkland Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Robert F. Kennedy
At the age of 42, JFK's brother, Robert F. Kennedy was also assassinated while on the campaign trail.
Shortly after winning the California presidential primary, Kennedy had been speaking to a crowd of supporters at Los Angeles' Ambassador Hotel when a man stepped out in front of him and fired shots at close range.
Kennedy was taken to the Good Samaritan Hospital where he later died.
Mary Jo Kopechne
Ted Kennedy, who was the youngest child of Kennedy Sr. and Rose, had been driving on Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts, in 1969, when he drove off a bridge and into a tidal creek.
Although Ted managed to escape, Kopechne - who was travelling in the vehicle - died in the incident, which Kennedy didn't report for more than 10 hours.
Due to the delay, accusations emerged about a potential cover-up. After pleading guilty to the charge of leaving the scene of an accident, he received a two-month suspended sentence.
David Kennedy
David Kennedy - who was the son of Robert and Ethel Kennedy - died by drug overdose in 1984.
Michael Kennedy
Michael Kennedy - who was another son of Robert and Ethel - died in a skiing accident on New Year's Eve in 1997.
John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
In July 1999, John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy were travelling with Carolyn's sister, Lauren, when the plane Kennedy was piloting crashed off Martha's Vineyard.
They had been on their way to a family wedding on Cape Cod when the plane came down. An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board found that haze and darkness were contributing factors.
A new series by Ryan Murphy delves into the deaths of JFK Jr. and Carolyn. Titled Love Story, which is inspired by Elizabeth Beller’s book, Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the nine-parter stars Paul Anthony Kelly as JFK Jr. and Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn.
Mary Kennedy
Mary Kennedy - who was the estranged wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - died by suicide in 2012. Her body was found at her property in Bedford, New York.
Saoirse Kennedy Hill
Saoirse Kennedy Hill - who was the granddaughter of Robert and Ethel - died by accidental overdose in 2019.
A family statement read: "Our hearts are shattered by the loss of our beloved Saoirse. Her life was filled with hope, promise and love. She cared deeply about friends and family, especially her mother, Courtney; her father, Paul; her stepmother, Stephanie; and her grandmother, Ethel."
Lucy Devine