Today, nearly eight decades after they first entered politics, the Kennedys remain one of the most fascinating and captivating families in American history. And as much as they made their mark in the world of politics, it’s perhaps their personal lives that continue to fascinate and captivate us most to this day.
Whether it’s the impossibly glamorous pairing of John and Jackie or the rags-to-riches story of his father Joe, the Kennedys’ storybook lives have dazzled Americans for decades.
But though they lived the life of affluence, privilege, and status, the Kennedys have of course suffered more than their fair share of calamity, due to both their own misdeeds and tragic circumstances beyond their control. Given the many accidental deaths, suicides, murders, and assassinations that this one family has endured, it’s easy to see why the phrase “the Kennedy curse” is part of the American lexicon.
At the same time, much of the tragedy that follows this family has sprung from their own misconduct. Many of the Kennedy men, for example, have been responsible for the serious injuries and deaths of the women in their lives. There’s the brutal murder of 15-year-old Martha Moxley in 1975, the drowning death of Mary Jo Kopechne in 1969, and the crash that left Pam Kelley paralyzed in 1973 — and that’s just one six-year period.
Yet despite the fact that the Kennedy men have admitted their involvement in these injuries and deaths, and even been convicted in courts of law, many of these powerful, rich, and entitled figures have faced only minimal consequences for their crimes.
As the Kennedy family nephew who killed Martha Moxley reportedly told one witness, “I’m going to get away with murder. I’m a Kennedy.”
And while that nephew did actually get away with murder for more than a quarter of a century, he was finally convicted. Likewise, many of the Kennedy family’s deepest, darkest secrets have eventually come to light. See some of the ugliest in the gallery above.
Next, have a look at some of the most haunting Kennedy assassination photos that most people have never seen before. Then, discover the dark-side of patriarch Joseph Kennedy.
The Kennedy family—America’s most storied political dynasty—has long been celebrated for its glamour, power, and public service. But like all families with immense wealth and influence, they’ve also faced profound tragedies, scandals, and controversies. Here are 23 of the darkest, most controversial, or little-known skeletons in the Kennedy family closet:
1. Rosemary Kennedy’s Lobotomy (1941)
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JFK’s younger sister Rosemary, who had intellectual disabilities and mood swings, was given a brutal, botched lobotomy at 23—ordered by her father, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.
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Left her permanently incapacitated, hidden from public view for decades.
2. Joseph P. Kennedy’s Nazi Sympathies
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As U.S. ambassador to the UK (1938-40), he praised Hitler’s policies early on and was accused of anti-Semitism.
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FDR fired him for his defeatist stance on WWII.
3. JFK’s Infidelity & Marilyn Monroe
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JFK had numerous affairs, including with Marilyn Monroe, who allegedly called Jackie Kennedy threatening to reveal their relationship.
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Monroe’s mysterious death (1962) fueled conspiracy theories.
4. Chappaquiddick (1969)
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Ted Kennedy drove off a bridge, killing passenger Mary Jo Kopechne.
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He waited 10 hours to report it, damaging his presidential ambitions.
5. RFK’s Assassination (1968)
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Shot by Sirhan Sirhan after winning the California primary.
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Conspiracy theories persist (like a “second shooter”).
6. JFK Jr.’s Plane Crash (1999)
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John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn Bessette, and sister-in-law Lauren died when his small plane crashed—likely due to his inexperience flying in poor weather.
7. Michael Kennedy’s Skiing Death (1997)
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RFK’s son died playing “ski football” (a risky Kennedy family game) by hitting a tree.
8. David Kennedy’s Drug Overdose (1984)
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RFK’s son died of a cocaine and Demerol overdose in a Florida hotel.
9. William Kennedy Smith’s Rape Trial (1991)
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Nephew of Ted Kennedy was acquitted of sexual assault in a high-profile case.
10. Patrick Kennedy’s Car Crash & Addiction (2006)
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Rep. Patrick Kennedy (Ted’s son) crashed his car into a Capitol barrier while on prescription drugs.
11. Kara Kennedy’s Death (2011)
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Ted’s daughter died of a heart attack after years of health struggles.
12. Saoirse Kennedy Hill’s Overdose (2019)
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RFK’s granddaughter died at 22 from a fentanyl-laced drug overdose.
13. RFK Jr.’s Anti-Vaccine Activism & Divorce Drama
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Once a rising political star, he’s now a controversial conspiracy theorist (anti-vax, anti-establishment).
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His ex-wife Mary’s suicide (2012) and second wife’s allegations of infidelity made headlines.
14. Joseph P. Kennedy II’s Failed Marriage & Scandal
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RFK’s son divorced his wife Sheila, who later died in a suspicious ski accident (1997).
15. Kathleen Kennedy’s Suspicious Death (1948)
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JFK’s sister died in a private plane crash in France; rumors swirled about the pilot’s inexperience.
16. The Kennedy “Curse”
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So many untimely deaths led to media myths of a family curse.
17. Ted Kennedy’s Alcoholism & Womanizing
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His heavy drinking and womanizing were open secrets in D.C.
18. Jackie Kennedy’s Post-JFK Marriage to Onassis
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Her marriage to Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis shocked America.
19. Robert F. Kennedy’s Wiretapping MLK
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As Attorney General, RFK approved FBI surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr.
20. Joseph Kennedy Sr.’s Bootlegging Rumors
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Allegedly made part of his fortune through Prohibition-era smuggling.
21. Rose Kennedy’s Secret Lobotomy Letter
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She wrote in support of lobotomies before Rosemary’s tragedy.
22. The Hyannis Port “Party House” Scandals
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The family compound was infamous for wild parties and reckless behavior.
23. RFK Jr.’s Estrangement from Family
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His conspiracy theories have alienated him from mainstream Kennedys.
Final Thought
The Kennedys symbolize both American royalty and profound tragedy—a mix of power, scandal, and heartbreak. While some skeletons are well-known, others remain buried in the shadows of their legacy.
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