JFK Jr.’S Family Tree

GREAT-GRANDFATHER

John Francis (“Honey Fitz”) Fitzgerald 1863-1950 Tenement born, he became Boston’s mayor, and sang from a tabletop at grandson Jack’s Senate election

GRANDPARENTS

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy 1890-1995 Honey Fitz’s favorite daughter became Queen Mother of Camelot despite sorrow both public and private

Joseph Patrick Kennedy 1888-1969 Financier, rumrunner and ambassador. His fortune was huge, but not as great as his dynastic vision

AUNTS AND UNCLES

Joseph Patrick Kennedy Jr. [*] 1915-1944 The family’s first great hope became its first modem martyr. His plane exploded on a WWII bombing run

Rosemary Kennedy 1918-present She was born mildly disabled, but a lobotomy arranged by her father left her profoundly retarded

Kathleen Kennedy Cavendish [*] 1920-1948 Widowed but in love, she died with her intended in a small plane

Eunice Kennedy Shriver 1921-present A keen mind, she married Sargent Shriver and propelled the Special Olympics

Patricia Kennedy Lawford 1924-present Her wedding to actor Peter was a spectacle requiring police barricades, but they divorced in 1966

Robert Francis Kennedy [*] 1925-1968 Idealistic, ruthless, doomed. His own family with Ethel has recapitulated the family pattern of service and loss

Jean Ann Kennedy Smith 1928-present Husband Stephen managed R.F.K.’s campaigns, then Kennedy charities. She served as envoy to Ireland

Edward Moore Kennedy 1932-present His generation’s great survivor. Twice-married liberal hero is father to a Congressman

PARENTS

John Fitzgerald Kennedy [*] 1917-1963 A doting father, he left two children, ages five and three. John Jr. remembered him only vaguely

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis 1929-1994 Twice widowed, she was John Jr.’s confidant. A second son died at two days

COUSINS

Eunice’s Children (5)

Robert Sargent Shriver III 1954-present Film, record and TV producer; raises money for Special Olympics

Maria Owings Shriver 1955-present Married to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Correspondent for NBC

Timothy Perry Shaver 1959-present Married with four children. Director of Special Olympics

Mark Kennedy Shriver 1964-present Married with one child. Maryland state legislator

Anthony Paul Kennedy Shriver 1965-present Activist for the mentally retarded

Patricia’s children (4)

Christopher Kennedy Lawford 1955-present Lawyer, actor and film producer

Sydney Maleia Lawford 1956-present Worked as a model, now home raising four children

Victoria Francis Lawford 1958-present Lives in Washington with her husband and three children

Robin Elizabeth Lawford 1961-present A marine biologist who lives in New York City

Robert’s children (11)

Kathleen Hartington Kennedy 1951-present Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. Four children

Joseph Patrick Kennedy II 1952-present Former U.S. Representative from Massachusetts. Two children

Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. 1954-present Environmental attorney and author. Five children

David Anthony Kennedy [*] 1955-1984 Died of a drug overdose in a Palm Beach, Fla., hotel

Mary Courtney Kennedy 1956-present Human-rights activist. Married with one child

Michael LeMoyne Kennedy [*] 1958-1997 Died playing ski-football on the slopes of Aspen, Colo. Mary Kerry Kennedy 1959-present Attorney and human-rights activist. Married to Andrew Cuomo

Christopher George Kennedy 1963-present Helps run the family-owned Merchandise Mart in Chicago

Matthew Maxwell Taylor Kennedy 1965-present Former Philadelphia prosecutor

Douglas Harriman Kennedy 1967-present Journalist with Fox’s cable-television news division

Rory Elizabeth Katherine Kennedy 1968-present Documentary filmmaker in N.Y.C.

Jean’s children (4)

Stephen Edward Smith Jr. 1957-present Works for a conflict-resolution and negotiation group William Kennedy Smith 1960-present Acquitted of rape charges in 1991. Now a doctor in Chicago

Amanda Mary Smith 1967-present Working on a biography of her grandfather

Kym Maria Smith 1972-present Married in 1995 and now lives in New York

Edward’s children (3)

Kara Anne Kennedy 1960-present Married with two children. Former director of program for disabled

Edward Moore Kennedy Jr. 1961-present Attorney; advocate for the disabled. Married with two children Patrick Joseph Kennedy 1967-present U.S. Representative from Rhode Island

SISTER

Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg 1957-present Law-school grad and mother, she alone is left of Camelot’s family

JOHN AND CAROLYN

John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr. [*] 1960-1999 Not obviously a political heir; simply a man at ease with his extraordinary place in the world Carolyn Bessette Kennedy [*] 1966-1999 Her elegance recalled Jackie’s, and she and her husband seemed embarked on a wonderful life

[*]Red type Indicates family members who have died under tragic circumstances