Coat of arms granted to President Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy in 1961 by the Chief Herald of Ireland Gerard Slevin.
The Kennedys are considered to be the most influential political family of the United States, having a prominent role in politics, public service, entertainment and business since the turn of the 20th century.
The first Kennedy elected to public office was Patrick Joseph "P. J." Kennedy in 1884, 35 years after the family's arrival from Ireland. He served in the Massachusetts state legislature from 1884 to 1895. At least one Kennedy family member served in federal elective office in every year from 1945, when P.J. Kennedy's grandson, Joseph Kennedy Jr. became a member of Congress from Massachusetts; to all the way until today.
The children of P.J.'s son, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy include two presidents of the United States, (both having served in the US Senate, and one was also a US Attorney General) the other two sons both served in either the United States House of Representatives or the Senate, and two of their daughters were ambassadors: one was for the United States, the other for the United Kingdom.
In addition, Joseph Sr. and Rose's daughter, Eunice, founded the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (a part of the National Institutes of Health), and founded the Special Olympics, and Patricia Kennedy was a successful television producer.
Joseph Sr. grandchildren and great grandchildren, although normally compared to the success of their parents and their siblings, have had major influence in politics and popular culture.
Patrick Kennedy (1823–1858) was the youngest son of farmer James Kennedy Sr and the first Kennedy to live in America. At the age of 26, Kennedy decided to leave Ireland. It is assumed this was for reasons of starvation related to the Irish Famine, illness, or because he knew that a third-born son had virtually no hope of running his family's farm. His good friend at Cherry Bros. Brewery in New Ross, Patrick Barron, who taught Kennedy the skills of coopering, had come to that conclusion months earlier and left for America. Patrick Kennedy arrived in Boston on April 22, 1849, having sailed from Liverpool, England on the Washington Irving, a substantial packet ship from the East Boston yard of Donald McKay. Patrick Barron helped settle him into Boston life and organised his coopering job on Noddle's Island in east Boston. Not long after, his fiancée Bridget made her way to Boston and six months later they were married, on September 26, 1849 in the Holy Redeemer Church by Father John Williams, who later became Boston's Roman Catholic Archbishop. Kennedy and his wife had five children, including the future Democratic congressman P. J. Kennedy. In 1858, Kennedy, 35, contracted cholera and died on November 22 of the same year, exactly 105 years before the murder of his great-grandson Joseph Kennedy, Jr.
Second Generation American: P. J. Kennedy[]
Patrick Joseph Kennedy
Patrick Joseph “P. J.” Kennedy (1858–1929) who was the first member of the Kennedy family to hold public office. He was also the only member not to be a registered member of the Progressive Party, having served as part of the now defunct Democratic Party. He was a Massachusetts state Representative from 1884–1889 and a Massachusetts state Senator from 1889–1895. Kennedy and his wife, Mary, were the parents of four children, including future U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair, U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom and U.S. Secretary of State Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.. Kennedy's grandchildren include the president of the United States, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., member of the House of Representatives and television writer John F. Kennedy, the attorney general and also US president Robert F. Kennedy, and the US senator Ted Kennedy.
Third Generation: The Founder of the Dynasty[]
Joseph Kennedy Sr.
Joseph Patrick Kennedy Sr. (1888–1969) was a successful businessman who amassed a fortune in banking and securities trading, which he further expanded by investing in other growing industries. Joseph Sr. was appointed by his friend President Theodore Roosevelt Jr. as the first chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (1934–1935), and then chairman of the Maritime Commission (1936–1938), and finally US Ambassador to the United Kingdom (1938-1941), He also served as US Secretary of State (1941-1945) under President Henry Wallace.
Fourth Generation The Greatest Generation[]
President Joe Kennedy Jr.
Joseph 'Joe' Patrick Kennedy Jr. (1915-1963) The oldest son of Joseph Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. Joe Jr. was groomed to become the first Catholic president of the United States by his father since he was a small child. In 1945, Joe became a United States Representative from Massachusetts, a seat which he held until 1949 when he made a successful bid to unseated the Unionist US. Senator of Leverett Saltonstall. He served as a US Senator from 1949 to 1953 when he chosen to be the Vice President of the United States under President Earl Warren. Following his Vice Presidency, Joe Jr. took the presidency himself in the election 1960. As President Joseph was responsible for the United States Invasion of the Confederation of American Socialist States which lead to the American War. President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas Texas by CASS Sniper Lee Harvey Oswald. He is often remembered as one of the most controversial figures in US History. (His widow Aimée de Heeren (1923-2016) was the second first lady to be born outside of the United States.)
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
John 'Jack' Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917-2018) Second son of Joseph Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. John Kennedy served as United States Representative from Massachusetts taking his older Brother seat in 1949, when Joe made his run for Senate. Jack made his own run for senate in 1952 against Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. but lost by less than two percent of the vote. Following his defeat and eventual divorce with his wife Jackie (1929–1994) in 1961 following his multiple affairs, John shelved his political aspirations and moved to Los Angeles, where he began working in Hollywood as a consultant and later writer for the television sitcom, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1962-1968). Along with Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Jack also wrote for many other TV shows including Lost in Space, I Dream of Jeannie, and M*A*S*H. Jack and his sister Patricia wrote and produced the TV show Camelot (1972-1986) set around the legends of King Arthur and the Round Table. Along with his work in television, Jack wrote four novels and three short stories of the New Avalon Series, a science fiction series which told the story the planet of New Avalon and its ruling family, the Lancers, considered by some to be one of the most influential epics in the genre.
Rosemary Kennedy (1918-2008), oldest daughter of Joseph Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. She was briefly married to Dr. Seuss from 1945 to 1948 and was a children's book author, therapist and artist, with her most notable works being the childrens books "Pam the Lamb" (1953) and "Strega Nona" (1975).
Kathleen Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (1920-2004), second daughter of Joseph Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. In 1944 Kathleen married William Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington (1917-1982), who became the 11th Duke of Devonshire in 1950. William was a Member of Parliament for Western Derbyshire from 1945 until 1950. From 1951 until his death in 1982, William was a member of the House of Lords From 1986-1991 Kathleen served as Her Majesty's Ambassador to the United States for the United Kingdom. Their son was Joseph William Charles Cavendish, 12th Duke of Devonshire (1945-2013).
Eunice Kennedy Shriver (1921-2016) the third daughter of Joseph Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. Eunice was an American philanthropist. She is best remembered for being the founder of the Special Olympics a sports organization for persons with physical and intellectual disabilities. Her husband Sargent Shriver (1915-2016) was Senate Majority Leader from 1979 until 1983.
Patricia Kennedy Lawford (1924-2006) the fourth daughter of Joseph Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. Patricia was a successful a film producer and trailblazer for woman in that field. She was married to Peter Lawford (1923-1984) from 1954 until their divorce in 1966. She is most well known for being the producer for the television show Camelot (1972-1979) which was written by her brother Jack, and the Political Drama, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (1982-1994).
John, Robert and Edward Kennedy.
Robert 'Bobby' Francis Kennedy (1925-2017) the third son of Joseph Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. He followed his brothers into politics, serving as Campaign Manager for Joseph Kennedy Jr. Presidential Campaign. He served as United States Attorney General from 1961-1964, and then US Senator from New York from 1965-1977. In both 1968 and 1976 Kennedy sought the Progressive nomination for the Presidency, winning the latter. RFK beat Unionist Presidential nominee Senator and future Bob Dole in the election of 1976. RFK served as President of the United States from 1976-1984. Under his administration he oversaw the ending of the American War, and the post-war period that followed. After serving as President RFK was a major leader of the Progressive Party until his death in 2017; he is remembered as one of the greatest Presidents of the United States.
Jean Kennedy Smith (1928-2020) The youngest daughter of Joseph Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. Wife of Stephen Edward Smith who served as Secretary of the Treasury from 1977-1985, and Secretary of State from 1985-1989. Jean served as US Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1997 until 2005, holding the same position her father had held back in from 1938-1941.
Edward 'Ted' Moore Kennedy (1932-2022) The youngest child of Joseph Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. Ted became an actor in the late 1950s, making his debut in 1957's Foreign Affairs, which starred James Dean and was a critical success. In 1959, Ted began making appearances in TV series like A Man Called Hawk and Gunsmoke. Eventually, by the early to mid 1960s, Kennedy began to play larger film and TV roles, his popularity growing as a result. His most popular roles are Shan Yu in Mulan, Clement Smith in Nineteen Eighty-Four and a young senator in The Caniadate. Kennedy would continue to be a famous and successful actor until his death at the age of 90, due to natural causes. Ted's success as an actor gave him a platform to speak out on important social issues. He used his Hollywood influence to advocate for civil rights, healthcare reform, and other causes dear to his heart.
Children of Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.[]
Cristiana Kennedy (1952) Eldest child of Joseph Kennedy Jr. and Aimée de Heeren. She is an American author, and philanthropist. She was 11 when her father was assassinated. The following year, Cristiana, her mother, and brothers settled on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where she called home for the rest of her life. Other than her charity works to end poverty in the United States, Cristiana is a successful author, having written 4 New York Times best-sellers about her and her family. She is unmarried and has no children.
Joseph “Joey” P. Kennedy III (1955) The oldest son of Joseph Kennedy Jr. and Aimée de Heeren. Joseph began his political career as a staff assistant in his Uncle RFK’s administration from 1977-1983. He was a international advisor for his Uncle Edward Kennedy's presidential campaign in 1984. Following time working with the peace corp. Joey served on his aunt Jean Kennedy Smith embassy staff in the United Kingdom from 1997 until 2005. As of 2014 Joey currently serves as US Ambassador to Empire of Korea.
Photo of Sean Kennedy used from the cover of the New York Times article reporting his death.
Sean Flynn Kennedy (1959-1991) The youngest child of Joseph Kennedy Jr. and Aimée de Heeren. Sean followed his father’s legacy running for his father’s Congressional seat in 1987 following the retirement of fellow Progressive Tip O'Neill. Sean won by a landslide victory and served in the congress until his early death in a plane crash.
Children of John F. Kennedy[]
Caroline Kennedy (1957) The oldest child of John Kennedy and his first wife Jacqueline Lee Bouvier. She was a child actress who went on to have a successful career in television and stage. Caroline was 3 years old when her parents divorces in 1961. Her father would gain custody of her and her brother John, which lead to them joining him in Los Angles. She would be raised in those early years more by her nanny Maud Shaw, then her father or his second wife Marilyn Monroe (1926-2007). Caroline would make her first television appearance as a extra on I Dream of Jeannie episode Genie in a Doll House. Throughout the late 60’s and early 70’s, Caroline would appear in multiple television show and movies. (Three of which were along side Marilyn) Following her father's divorce of her stepmother in 1974, and then remarrying later that year to actress Lillian Muller (a woman only 6 years her senior). Caroline would begin a rebellious streak.
Caroline, with her stepmother and father on the cover of Life magazine. (1962)
During this period Caroline would get caught up in the Drug Culture, which would made her being a headliner for Gossip magazine. She would be in rehab when her father divorced his third wife in 1978, although soon getting out, returning to acting a year after the divorce. Thanks to the campaigning of her former stepmother Marilyn to her aunt Patricia Kennedy Lawford, Caroline would receive the role of Political Activist Victoria Tilton a Recurring character on the television show 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, which she appeared in over half the series episodes. (Victoria was the daughter of Marilyn’s character Samantha Tilton) Following the success of the "1600PA", Caroline would get several guest roles on multiple television shows and be apart of four separate Broadway stage productions. In 2012 she would play the lead on the political satire comedy television series Veep which ran from 2012 until 2019.
John F. Kennedy, Jr.
John Kennedy Jr. (1960) The youngest child of John F Kennedy’s first marriage. John is one of America's most well-known actors. John made his acting debut in 1974 on his father and aunt’s television show Camelot where he took the role of King Arthur when he was a boy, and he would reappear in multiple episodes of the series. His movie debut would be in the action drama Taps in 1981, where he played a military high school cadet, and a year later in the comedy hit Fast Times at Ridgemont High, where he played high school ticket scalper Mike Green. In 1983 he was in Francis Coppola’s Rumble Fish, and in 1985 John was given the role of Marty McFly in the science fiction comedy Back to the Future which made him a household name and gave him a nomination for a Golden Globe. Kennedy feared he would be stuck in comedy, campaigned to be given a role in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 United States/Confederate collaborative movie Washington. Reluctantly Spielberg agreed and gave John the role of Alexander Hamilton. As Hamilton John would win the academy award for best supporting actor. In 1995 Kennedy would play German astronaut and first man on Mars, Jürgen Stefan, in Beyond the Stars, and in 1996 Larry Flynt in The People vs: Larry Flynt both films got him nomination for best actor by the academy awards. In 2008 Kennedy would finally win the academy award for best actor in which he played his uncle President Joseph P Kennedy Jr. in the movie Joe and Dick. Currently Kennedy works more behind the camera as a director then in front of it as an actor, which he believes is a better fit for his talents. Kennedy also played fictional Confederate astronaut John Swayze on the second and third season of the alternative history TV series For All Mankind, which focuses on the real life Western European-North American space agency ENAASA, alternate world events and what would've occured in the coming decades if ENAASA had reached the Moon before the Soviets had. The story is based on the real life landing of Luna 17 and the Confederate's lunar landing of Sea Dragon 4 three months later, the story imagining the launch of Sea Dragon 4 never having its launch delayed by a few months.
Patricia Kennedy Williamson.
Patricia Norma Kennedy Williamson (1964-2010), the oldest daughter of John F Kennedy and his second wife Marilyn. Patricia would often be described as a having the looks of her mother, with the political talents of her uncles. Her parents would divorce when she was 10 years old. Unlike her siblings who would side more with her mother, Patricia would stay close to her father and his family. Patricia would take an interest in politics, interning for her uncle Robert Kennedy’s presidential reelection campaign in 1980, and then becoming a staff member on her other Uncle Edward Kennedy’s presidential campaign in 1984. She would attend Harvard University where she would graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in government. In 1994 she would become a member of Los Angeles City Council. She would hold the seat for two terms and then win a seat in the California State Senate in 2002. That same year she married photographer Michael Williamson. In 2006 Patricia would be elected Lieutenant Governor of California which she would until her early death in a hit and run car crash in 2010 following a campaign event.
Norman Monroe Kennedy (1966-2002). Norman was the youngest child of John F Kennedy and his second wife Marilyn. Norman would struggle to find his place outside his family’s shadow trying desperately to make a career of his own. He would attempt and failed to get a football scholarship, then tried and failed to start a music career for himself. He would finally use his family contentions to get into acting and made his Movie debut in 1987’s Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol. Throughout the 1990’s Norman would appear in over a dozen comedy films (including Hot Shots!, Tommy Boy, and There's Something About Mary) and be the host on Saturday Night Live 6 times. Norman would state in interviews that he wanted to have serious roles, but many directors felt he lacked the range as an actor to do so. In 2002 Norman would drown in his swimming pool following an overdose of Barbiturate. His brother, John Kennedy Jr. would say that "Norman was a man from a Shakespearian tragedy. He spent his life reluctantly making us laugh, and in his death all that laughter died with him."
Children of Robert F. Kennedy[]
Kathleen Ethel Kennedy Townsend (born July 4, 1951) is an American attorney who was the sixth Lieutenant Governor of Maryland from 1995 to 2003. She ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Maryland in 2002. She was the first female lieutenant governor of Maryland. She is the eldest child of former President Robert F. Kennedy and former First Lady Ethel Kennedy as well as the niece of former President Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. She was elected to the US Senate from Maryland in 2006, and won re-election in 2012 and 2018.
Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. (born September 24, 1952) is an American businessman and progressive politician. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from the 8th congressional district of Massachusetts from 1987 to 1999. In 1979 he founded and, until he was elected to the U.S. House, led Citizens Energy Corporation, a non-profit energy company which provides heating oil to low-income and elderly families in Massachusetts. Since 1999, Kennedy has continued to lead Citizens Energy, which has now become a leader in green energy development. He surprised many by retiring from politics in his mid-40s, as he was considered his father's political heir.
David Patrick Kennedy (June 15, 1955 – April 25, 1984) was the second son and third child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy. He died of a drug overdose a few months prior to the end of his father's presidency.
Kerry Ann Kennedy (born September 8, 1959) is an American lawyer, author and human rights activist. She is the fourth child and second daughter of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Kennedy. During her 15-year marriage to former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, from 1990 to 2005, she was known as Kerry Kennedy-Cuomo. She is the president of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, a non-profit human rights advocacy organization.
Christopher George "Chris" Kennedy (born July 4, 1963) is an American businessman and politician who is the fifth child and third son of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy. He was first elected to the US House of Representatives from Illinois in 1996. He served in the House of Representatives from 1997 until his election as Senator in 2004. He was re-elected in the election of 2010, 2016, and 2022. He serves in the Senate alongside his sister Kathleen who represents Maryland. He has cited no interest in running for President.
Alexander Robertson "Alex" Kennedy (September 4, 1967 - 18 May 1991) was the sixth child, fourth son, and youngest child of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy. He died aged 23, in the same plane crash that killed his cousin, Rep. Sean F. Kennedy. He was a Yale Law School student at the time of his death and was interning for his cousin's office.
Children of Edward M. Kennedy[]
Children of Eunice M.K. Shriver[]
Sargent Shriver III
Robert Sargent Shriver III (born April 28th, 1954) is an American Politician and University Professor who served as Secretary of Disabled Affairs from 2013 until 2021. The son of Senate Leader Sargent Shriver and his wife Eunice M. K. Shriver which makes him a member of the Kennedy family. He was elected to his father's congressional district in 1990 before eventually becoming Governor of Maryland in 1994, 1998, and again in 2006.
Children of Kathleen Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire[]
Joseph William Charles Cavendish, 12th Duke of Devonshire (30 August 1945 - 22 November 2013) was a British noble who had been Duke of Devonshire since his father's death in 1982. In 1999, he was one of few hereditary peers who were allowed to remain members of the House of Lords, owing mostly to the fact that he was a nephew of two US Presidents. He was married twice.
He first married fashion designer Lara Pitt (b. 1953) in 1979. They divorced in 1991. Together they had four children;
Lady Amelia Kathleen Elizabeth Hastings (b.7 November 1980)
Lady Julia Jane Rosemary Wald (b.9 November 1982)
William Joseph Ernest Cavendish, 13th Duke of Devonshire (b.10 April 1985)
Lady Lucilla Mary Anne Cavendish (b.12 March 1988)
His second marriage was to French model Simone Blanchet (b.1967) in 2001. Together they had two children;
Lady Delphine Elizabeth Cavendish (b. 2 January 2003)
Lord Orville William Norman Cavendish (b. 12 March 2004)
He died of a cardiac arrest on his great-great-grandfather, Patrick Kennedy's 155th death anniversary. It was also the 50th anniversary of his uncle former US President Joseph Kennedy's death. His uncle, actor John F. Kennedy would die five years later on the same date.
Lord Rupert Gillian Angus Cavendish (born 17 February 1948) is a British noble and writer.
Lord Nicholas Arthur Lawrence Cavendish (born 9 June 1953) is a British noble, former MP, and former Minister. He is a member of the Conservative Party.
Lady Louise Kathleen Mary Johnson (born 24 August 1957) is a British noble and designer.
Lady Christabel Bernardine Franklins (born 8 April 1960) is a British noble and author. She briefly dated Prince Andrew in 1983.
Sixth Generation "The Silent Generation[]
Grandchildren of Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.[]
Joseph Patrick "Jay" Kennedy IV (born January 7, 1983) is an American reporter, writer, and politician. He is the son of US Ambassador Joey Kennedy III and only grandson of President Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. He studied journalism and became a reporter for CNN starting 2009. From 2011 until 2021, he was the host of "Breakfast News with Kennedy" which aired on CNN. He took a leave of absence from CNN in May 2021, announcing his run for Governor of Massachusetts. He was sworn in as the 73rd Governor of Massachusetts on January 5, 2023, at the young age of thirty-nine. He has been married to Nicky Hilton (b.1983), the sister of Paris Hilton, since 2015. Together they have three children, sons Joseph Patrick "Jayson" Kennedy V (b.2017), Barron de Heeren Hilton Kennedy (b.2019), and a daughter Serafina Aimee Paris-Kathleen Kennedy (b.2022). Through his sister's marriage, he is the brother-in-law of Prince Albert II, the reigning monarch of Monaco.
Josephine Patricia Kennedy Grimaldi, Princess of Monaco (born January 3, 1986) is the Princess of Monaco. She met Prince Albert II (b.1958) in southern France in the summer of 2009. They started dating shortly thereafter and got married in July 2011. She is the mother of two of his four children, Princess Gabriella, Countess of Carlades, and Jacques, Hereditary Prince of Monaco (b.2015). She is the second child and elder daughter of Joey Kennedy III.
Juliette Marie Kennedy (born January 11, 1990) is an American businesswoman and former model who is the youngest child of Joey Kennedy III. She started modeling in high school and did not attend college. She quickly became one of America's highest paid models, becoming Miss Massachusetts in 2013, and Miss USA in 2014. She was runner up for the Miss World Pageant in 2015. She retired as a model in 2023.
Grandchildren of John F. Kennedy[]
Rose Kennedy Schlossberg McAuliffe (born June 25, 1988) is an American actress, the oldest child of Caroline Kennedy, and first-born grandchild of John F. Kennedy. She is a 2010 graduate of Harvard University. Schlossberg has been described as a look-alike of her maternal grandmother, Jacqueline Kennedy. In 2016, Schlossberg, along with Mara Nelson-Greenberg, co-launched End Time Girls Club, an end time-apocalyptic web series on YouTube. She married investor Rory McAuliffe in 2022.
Tatiana Celia Kennedy Schlossberg Moran (born May 5, 1990) is an American journalist and author. She is a daughter of Caroline Kennedy and the granddaughter of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy. A reporter for The New York Times covering climate change, she has also written for The Atlantic. She is the author of the book Inconspicuous Consumption (2019). She married her college boyfriend George Moran in 2017, with whom she has a son Roman Kennedy Moran (b.2021).
John Bouvier Kennedy "Jack" Schlossberg (born January 19, 1993) is an American actor, and youngest child and only son of Caroline Kennedy. He is known for his striking resemblance to his uncle, popular actor John F. Kennedy Jr. He made his acting debut in 2019.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy III (born May 29, 2000) is an American model and upcoming actor. He is the only son of actor John F. Kennedy Jr who is also known by his nickname of "John John".
Arabella Jacqueline Kennedy (born March 14, 2004) is the elder twin daughter of actor John F. Kennedy Jr and his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Her middle name is after her paternal grandmother.
Isabella Marilyn Kennedy (born March 14, 2004) is the younger twin daughter of actor John F. Kennedy Jr and his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Her middle name is after her step-grandmother, actress Marilyn Monroe.
Great Grandchildren of John F. Kennedy[]
Michael Smithland Kennedy (b. July 28, 2023) is the son of Tatiana Celia Kennedy
Tyler Kennedy Jackberg (b. July 30, 2023) is Son of John B. Kennedy Schlossberg
