Ethel Kennedy, who spent a lifetime in service and inspired generations of her family to do the same, has died at the age of 96.
Kennedy's legacy spans decades and overcame multiple personal tragedies. The widow to former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, with whom she had 11 children, Kennedy devoted much of her life to a human rights organization she helped found in her husband's name.
WATCH ANYTIME FOR FREE
 |
Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are. |
Those impacted by that legacy remembered her following the announcement of her passing on Thursday.
Get updates on what's happening in Boston to your inbox. Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey released a statement on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Thursday.
"Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ethel Kennedy, who inspired us all with her resilience, compassion and faith. A passionate advocate for human rights, she leaves behind a remarkable legacy of public service. I’m keeping the Kennedy family in my thoughts during this difficult time," she wrote.
Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ethel Kennedy, who inspired us all with her resilience, compassion and faith. A passionate advocate for human rights, she leaves behind a remarkable legacy of public service. I’m keeping the Kennedy family in my thoughts during this… https://t.co/z7DlQyiYkA
— Maura Healey (@MassGovernor) October 10, 2024
Sen. Ed Markey released a statement as well:
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ethel Kennedy, a woman of true grace and grit, a dedicated matriarch, and a supportive friend. Ethel Kennedy’s generosity of spirit transcended politics, and her dedication to her family and her husband’s legacy were a driving force.
When Ethel started the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights in 1968, she ensured that her husband’s life’s work would continue. She transformed her personal tragedy into a lasting legacy of public service and global leadership. Her mission will forever be felt beyond the shores of her beautiful home in Hyannis to the far reaches of the world where her fight for human rights lives on.
A true force for social change in her own right, Ethel Kennedy worked to address society’s greatest injustices, fighting for equity, inclusion, compassion, and lasting change. The country has lost one of our greatest advocates for American exceptionalism, and the world has lost an irreplaceable champion of humanity. Ethel Kennedy was a woman whose vision was fueled by her boundless heart and goodwill, and she will be remembered forever. The entire Kennedy family is in my prayers.
Maria Shriver, Kennedy's niece, a journalist and former First Lady of California, shared her own thoughts on her aunt's passing.
My aunt, Ethel Kennedy passed this morning. What a life she led. What a huge family she created and leaves behind. I’m so glad I was able to laugh with her this summer, to share memories with her. She was a devoted sister-in-law to my mother, a one of a kind aunt to me and my cousins. She was fearless, funny, smart, incredible athlete, patriot, madly in love with my Uncle Bobby, and devoted to making our country better in every way. She was a woman of deep faith. When it got tough, and there were a lot of tough times, she dug in. She relied on her faith like my own mother. They were a pair of strong, determined women. What lives, what examples. It’s impossible to put her life in a caption.
I love you, Ethel. Godspeed, and to all my cousins, I send my love to you on this day and on all days.
My aunt, Ethel Kennedy passed this morning. What a life she led. What a huge family she created and leaves behind. I’m so glad I was able to laugh with her this summer, to share memories with her. She was a devoted sister-in-law to my mother, a one of a kind aunt to me and my… pic.twitter.com/u5ruoc4vye
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) October 10, 2024
Countless others are sounding off, describing her as an icon who never wavered in her commitment to working for others, even when faced with her own hardships, and advising others to do the same.
"Ethel Kennedy led an exemplary American and Catholic life," Rudy W. Giuliani wrote on X. "The tragedies she endured would have crushed many. But her love for, and dedication to, her family, humanity and God leave us a prominent example of a truly heroic life."
Ethel Kennedy led an exemplary American and Catholic life. The tragedies she endured would have crushed many. But her love for, and dedication to, her family, humanity and God leave us a prominent example of a truly heroic life.
— Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) October 10, 2024
Prayers for Ethel Kennedy (1928-2024) and gratitude for her life: pic.twitter.com/QIpsXofQlB
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) October 10, 2024
The parting advice Ethel Kennedy gave all of us at the end of the documentary about her life made by her daughter, Rory.
— Kevin Walling (@KevinPWalling) October 10, 2024
Rest well and thank you, Mrs. Kennedy - for everything. pic.twitter.com/tolOt2TffG
Ethel Kennedy, the last living link to Camelot, has passed . She SAW and lived through so very MUCH.
— shinan govani (@shinangovani) October 10, 2024
Here, in 1954, with brother-in-law, Sen. John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy, as the latter takes an early “selfie” in a mirror. An iconic photo! pic.twitter.com/U5xPCKgOTC
It was one of the honors of my life to work for Ethel Kennedy and @KerryKennedyRFK. Ethel was a titan whose voice never wavered, and her moral courage guided so much of the work we did around the world.
— Max Burns (@themaxburns) October 10, 2024
There will never be another Ethel. pic.twitter.com/0HefPAgg9I
Ethel Kennedy, a lifelong advocate for human rights and social justice, has passed away at 96 years old
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) October 10, 2024
From founding the RFK Human Rights Foundation to her tireless work for civil rights, she carried on the Kennedy legacy with strength and compassion. Her impact will never be… pic.twitter.com/uIme9RQpte
Rest in Peace, Ethel Kennedy. She might have been First Lady, save for an assassin's bullet, but she contributed to the nation's welfare in so many ways in her long (age 96) and worthy life.
— Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) October 10, 2024
My mother in law, Ethel Kennedy, Bobby's mother, passed this morning. It has been my great honor to have shared laughter and love with Ethel. Her charisma, wisdom and strength will live on with me in every memory of her. Bobby and I spent many warm nights in Hyannis Port having… pic.twitter.com/j7faAcU1Bm
— Cheryl Hines (@CherylHines) October 10, 2024
Kennedy was hospitalized after suffering a stroke last week, her family said Tuesday. She and other family members have long resided on Cape Cod, at the Kennedy Compound in the Hyannis Port area of Barnstable, Massachusetts.
