Ethel Kennedy spent a total of 99 months, or more than eight years, pregnant while raising her 11 children. Despite facing numerous public and private tragedies, Kerry Kennedy describes her mother as a woman who remained fully alive, chic, and devoid of self-reflection, famously noting that her mother hated the concept of introspection.
This memoir matters because it provides an intimate look at the matriarch who helped define the Kennedy family name through decades of political and personal history. Beyond the family narrative, the book captures a partnership between Robert and Ethel Kennedy that was so significant it served as inspiration for the Taylor Swift song StarLight.
According to Kerry Kennedy, the project aims to honor her mother’s passion, philanthropy, and commitment to moving forward rather than dwelling on the past. In addition to the memoir, Kerry Kennedy has addressed current events, including the ongoing debate surrounding the preservation of the Kennedy Center in Washington, which she views as a vital memorial to a slain president.
The book, titled Ethel Kennedy: The Extraordinary Life and Bold Legacy, arrives on Tuesday. It includes personal details, such as the family's transition from the compound in Hyannis Port to Hickory Hill, and reflects on the immense support Ethel provided to Robert Kennedy following the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963.