BOSTON (AP) — Joan B. Kennedy, the first wife of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and a graceful yet tragic figure in one of America’s most famous political families, died on Wednesday at the age of 89.
Born Virginia Joan Bennett, she was one of the last surviving figures of a generation that included President John F. Kennedy. A model and classically trained pianist, she married the future Massachusetts senator in 1958, stepping into a world of political ambition, glamour, and devastating personal loss.
Her life was marked by moments of poise and promise, but also deep personal struggles. She witnessed the rise and violent deaths of her brothers-in-law — John F. Kennedy’s election as president in 1960 and his assassination three years later, followed by Robert F. Kennedy’s rise and assassination during his 1968 presidential campaign. Her husband Ted became a powerful and respected legislator, but he was also at the center of scandals that tested the family’s image and her own resilience.
The most infamous was the 1969 Chappaquiddick incident, when Ted Kennedy’s car plunged off a bridge, killing 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne. Ted swam to safety and waited hours before notifying authorities, later pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an accident. The tragedy shadowed him for the rest of his career and deeply affected Joan, who miscarried shortly afterward. Though she stood by him through the scandal, their marriage became increasingly strained. By the time of his failed 1980 presidential bid, they were separated, and the divorce followed soon after. A campaign bumper sticker from that year captured public sentiment: “Vote for Jimmy Carter, Free Joan Kennedy.”
Raised in Bronxville, N.Y., Joan was reserved by nature — a contrast to the famously outgoing Kennedy clan. She first met Ted while attending Manhattanville College with his sister Jean. Her beauty and talent made her a visible presence on the campaign trail; she often opened her husband’s rallies with piano performances and later toured internationally as a musician, promoting arts education and cultural access.
She became one of the first public figures to openly discuss her struggles with alcoholism and mental health. In later years, a series of alcohol-related arrests led to multiple treatment programs. In 2005, after being found unconscious on a Boston sidewalk during a storm, her children intervened, with Ted Kennedy Jr. obtaining legal guardianship to oversee her care.
Despite her personal battles, Joan remained admired for her resilience and artistic gifts. In statements on Wednesday, her children reflected on her legacy. Former congressman Patrick Kennedy called her “a power of example to millions of people with mental health conditions” and praised her as “a loving mother, talented musician, and instrumental partner” in launching Ted Kennedy’s career. Ted Kennedy Jr. said, “I will always admire my mother for the way she faced her challenges with grace, courage, humility, and honesty. She taught me how to be more truthful with myself and how careful listening is a more powerful communication skill than public speaking.”
Joan Kennedy is survived by her two sons, nine grandchildren, and more than 30 nieces and nephews. Her daughter, Kara, died in 2011.