Ethel Kennedy faced unimaginable heartbreak throughout her life. Among the many tragedies she endured was the sudden loss of two of her sons. Take a closer look at the heartbreaking deaths of David and Michael Kennedy.
Ethel Kennedy, the wife of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, was a prominent figure in American history, known for her unwavering commitment to social justice and her strength in the face of family tragedies.
Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy boarding a plane for San Juan, Puerto Rico, in March 1966. | Source: Getty Images
Born into a political dynasty, she married into one of the most iconic American families. She and Robert raised 11 children, navigating both the highs of public service and the lows of personal loss.
Despite her remarkable resilience, Ethel was no stranger to heartache, having tragically lost two of her sons — David and Michael Kennedy — in sudden and devastating circumstances.
Ethel Kennedy at the Restore Ball in New York City on September 28, 1970. | Source: Getty Images
David, the fourth of Ethel’s children, led a life deeply affected by trauma. At just 13 years old, he witnessed the assassination of his father on live television, an event that haunted him for the rest of his life.
Despite his promising beginnings, the emotional toll of his father’s death led David down a path of addiction. On April 25, 1984, he was found dead in his hotel room in Palm Beach, Florida, at 28.
David and Chris Kennedy watching a tennis match with their cousin, Ted Kennedy Jr., on August 25, 1974. | Source: Getty Images
He had struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for many years, and while his cause of death wasn’t immediately clear, investigators eventually ruled out suicide.
There were ”no signs of foul play,” said Sergeant Henry L. Marchman, spokesman for the Police Department of Palm Beach. The results of a preliminary autopsy tonight were being studied, as officials suspected it was an accidental overdose.
David Kennedy at the Democratic National Convention on July 15, 1976, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
David, who resided in Boston, traveled to Palm Beach to visit his grandmother, Rose Kennedy, who was in poor health. His body was discovered by a hotel secretary, Elizabeth Barnett, around 11:30 a.m. after a family member called to check if he had left for his flight.
When there was no response from his room phone, the hotel staff were instructed to investigate, according to hotel spokesman Gerald H. Beebe Jr.
David Kennedy in New York in 1984. | Source: Getty Images
The spokesman noted that hotel staff had seen David the previous Tuesday, describing him as being in good spirits. A desk clerk even recalled him waving as he passed the front desk.
David’s uncle, Senator Edward Kennedy, reflected on his nephew’s troubled life, stating, “We all pray that David has finally found the peace that he did not find in life.” The Kennedy family were no strangers to tragedy and mourned deeply, but the heartbreak did not end there.
Members of the Kennedy family escorted by Ethel Kennedy carrying the casket of David Kennedy from the hearse to the Kennedy House on May 4, 1984. | Source: Getty Images
Thirteen years later, in 1997, another devastating blow struck Ethel when her son Michael died in a skiing accident. Known for his adventurous spirit, Michael was skiing in Aspen, Colorado, when he collided with a tree, resulting in his immediate death at 39.
Michael Kennedy and Vicky Gifford at Attorney Roy Cohn’s birthday party in New York City on February 22, 1981. | Source: Getty Images
Michael had faced controversy in the years leading up to his death due to an alleged affair with the family’s babysitter. The scandal even affected his brother Joseph P. Kennedy II’s political aspirations.
Wendy Williams Makes First Public Appearance in Over a Year and People Spotted the Same Detail
Wendy Williams has recently made her first public appearance in over a year, marking a significant moment in the life of the renowned television personality. This outing is the first time Williams has been spotted publicly since March 2023.
During their visit to a herbal store, Williams reportedly appeared “sharp, upbeat, and aware,” according to an employee. The same source described her as “very bubbly” and engaging, although she was not as familiar with the store’s offerings, leaving her son to explain more about the products and services. Williams reportedly expressed interest in improving circulation but chose not to go into too much detail during this initial visit, indicating plans to return in the near future.
Before this recent appearance, Williams was last publicly seen in March 2023 when she returned to her apartment in New York City. Prior to that, her last appearance on The Wendy Williams Show was in 2021. The show, which continued with guest hosts, concluded in 2022 amid ongoing health concerns for Williams, including Graves’ disease and lymphedema.
In 2024, Williams’s team made public a press release where she said she was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
Despite her health issues, her fans continue to show support for the media personality. In the recently shared photo, people expressed joy in seeing her apparently well. “Wendy looks good,” and “I’m so glad to see her looking healthy,” are some of the comments on Facebook.
Wendy Williams’ recent public appearance offers a glimpse of hope between the challenges she has faced over the past few years. While her health struggles have kept her largely out of the public eye, this outing suggests that Williams is taking steps toward recovery, supported by her son and close network.
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