American politics has seen countless moments of triumph and tragedy, but few families have been as deeply intertwined with both as the Kennedys. Among them, Joan Bennett Kennedy, the former wife of U.S. Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy and sister-in-law to President John F. Kennedy, lived a life that was both glamorous and heartbreaking. Her recent passing at the age of 89 has once again brought attention to her turbulent marriage with Ted and the personal struggles that followed their very public divorce.
Joan Bennett was a gifted pianist and a poised young woman when she met Ted Kennedy in 1957 while studying at Manhattanville College. Their romance blossomed quickly, and with encouragement from Ted’s father, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., they married the following year in 1958. The couple was hailed as a picture-perfect match — Joan’s elegance and grace perfectly complemented Ted’s rising political star. In the early years, she was deeply involved in his career, often charming voters with her music and warm personality at campaign events. But behind the public image of a fairytale marriage, their relationship was becoming increasingly strained.
As the pressures of political life intensified and the Kennedy family endured unimaginable losses — first President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, followed by Robert F. Kennedy’s death in 1968 — Joan’s emotional health began to deteriorate. The constant public attention, Ted’s long absences, and his reported infidelities added further pain. His heavy drinking and the weight of his political ambitions created deep fissures in their relationship that became impossible to hide.
The breaking point came in 1969 with the Chappaquiddick incident, when Ted Kennedy’s car drove off a bridge, resulting in the death of Mary Jo Kopechne, a young campaign aide. The scandal not only shook the nation but also devastated Joan. At the time, she was pregnant and, despite her distress, was pressured to stand beside her husband publicly to maintain his political image. Shortly afterward, she suffered a miscarriage, an event that deepened her emotional turmoil and marked a tragic turning point in her life.
Throughout the 1970s, Joan battled alcoholism and depression, struggling to cope with the trauma and the public scrutiny surrounding her family. Even as her marriage crumbled behind closed doors, she was forced to maintain appearances, especially during Ted’s 1980 presidential campaign. Eventually, after years of strain and failed reconciliation attempts, the couple filed for divorce in 1983, ending nearly 25 years of marriage.
In the years that followed, Joan sought to rebuild her life away from the political spotlight. She moved to Boston, earned a master’s degree, and worked as a music teacher, returning to the passion that had defined her early life. She also spoke candidly about her struggles with mental health and addiction, becoming a quiet advocate for reducing the stigma surrounding such issues. Her children — Kara, Edward Jr., and Patrick Kennedy — later obtained guardianship to help ensure her well-being as her health declined.
Ted Kennedy, on the other hand, found stability later in life. In 1992, he married Victoria Reggie Kennedy, a lawyer, who remained his devoted partner until his death in 2009.
Joan Bennett Kennedy’s life was one marked by grace, tragedy, and resilience. Though her story was often overshadowed by the immense legacy of the Kennedy family, her journey reflected the private cost of public life — a woman who endured heartbreak and scrutiny yet continued to face life with quiet strength and dignity until the very end.