The Unscripted Life: 5 Shocking Details About RFK Jr.'s Marriage To Hollywood Star Cheryl Hines

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s current wife is the Emmy-nominated actress and comedian, Cheryl Hines. As of the most current updates in December 2025, their high-profile marriage continues to navigate the complex intersection of Hollywood celebrity and Washington D.C. political life, particularly following RFK Jr.'s appointment as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The couple, who married in 2014, has recently been the focus of intense media scrutiny, largely due to Hines's candid new memoir, *Unscripted*, which sheds light on the turbulent and often "chaotic" reality of their life together.

Their union is a fascinating blend of two vastly different worlds—the storied, often tragic legacy of the Kennedy political dynasty and the sharp-witted, unscripted world of television comedy. Hines's transition from her famous role as Cheryl David on HBO's *Curb Your Enthusiasm* to a political spouse has been anything but conventional, providing fresh, unique content that defines their current public narrative.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cheryl Hines: A Complete Biographical Profile

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) has been married three times, with his current marriage to Cheryl Hines being his longest and most publicly scrutinized. His romantic history is a significant part of his public persona, which now includes his high-level government position.

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) Biography

• Full Name: Robert Francis Kennedy Jr.
• Born: January 17, 1954, in Washington, D.C.
• Parents: Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy.
• Current Role (as of 2025): U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
• Primary Career: Environmental lawyer, activist, and author. He founded the Waterkeeper Alliance in 1999.
• Political Career: Initially a Democrat, he ran an independent presidential campaign in 2024 before joining the administration in his current cabinet role.
• Previous Marriages:
  • First Wife: Emily Ruth Black (m. 1982; div. 1994).
  • Second Wife: Mary Richardson Kennedy (m. 1994; died 2012).
• Children: Six children from his first two marriages.

Cheryl Hines Biography

• Full Name: Cheryl Ruth Hines.
• Born: September 21, 1965, in Miami Beach, Florida.
• Primary Career: Emmy-nominated actress, comedian, director, and producer.
• Breakthrough Role: Cheryl David, the on-screen wife of Larry David, in *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000–2024).
• Previous Marriage: Paul Young (m. 2002; div. 2010).
• Current Marriage: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (m. August 2, 2014).
• Children: One daughter, Catherine Rose Young, from her previous marriage.
• Notable Work: Recent memoir, *Unscripted*, details her life and marriage to RFK Jr.

The Blended Family: RFK Jr.'s Six Children and Hines's Daughter

The Kennedy-Hines household is a large, blended family, bringing together the children from RFK Jr.'s two previous marriages and Hines's daughter. This complex dynamic is one of the many facets of their "chaotic home life" that Hines explores in her memoir.

RFK Jr. is a father to six children, all of whom have grown up in the shadow of the famous Kennedy clan.

• With Emily Ruth Black:
  • Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy III
  • Kathleen Alexandra "Kick" Kennedy
• With Mary Richardson Kennedy:
  • Conor Richardson Kennedy
  • Kyra LeMoyne Kennedy
  • William Finn Kennedy
  • Aidan Kennedy

Cheryl Hines has one daughter from her first marriage to Paul Young, named Catherine Rose Young. The couple, therefore, oversees a blended family of seven children, adding another layer of complexity to their already high-profile lives.

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The "Unscripted" Reality of a Hollywood-Washington Marriage

The most recent and compelling information about the couple's relationship comes directly from Cheryl Hines's memoir, *Unscripted*. Released recently, the book provides an intimate look into the reality of being married to a member of the Kennedy family who is also a high-ranking government official.

Navigating the Political Divide and Family Tensions

Hines has been candid about the difficulties of being a "political spouse," a role she admits she may "never get used to." The marriage has been tested by the political differences between RFK Jr. and his famous family, particularly when he pursued his independent political run and later joined the administration of Donald Trump. Hines openly discussed the "backlash" she faced from Hollywood colleagues and even the "difficult time" the Kennedy clan had with his political shifts.

The memoir details how humor has been her primary coping mechanism for the relentless pressure and scrutiny of Washington life. She has had to balance her comedic persona with the seriousness required of a cabinet secretary's wife, a transition many in Hollywood criticized as "hypocrisy."

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The Sexting Scandal and Marriage Resilience

One of the most shocking and revealing sections of *Unscripted* addresses the media firestorm surrounding RFK Jr.'s alleged affair with journalist Olivia Nuzzi, a scandal that threatened their marriage. Hines's book details how the couple "locked ourselves in our room" to process the fallout, ultimately suggesting that confronting the crisis head-on helped strengthen their bond.

This period of intense personal and public turmoil, including the revelation of "erotic poetry" sent by RFK Jr., became a pivotal moment in their relationship, as described in her book and further detailed in Nuzzi's own forthcoming memoir, *American Canto*. The public acknowledgment of this "destructive relationship" by both parties provides a rare and raw insight into the private struggles of a public couple.

RFK Jr.'s New Role: From Campaign Trail to HHS Secretary

The most significant and current development affecting the couple's life is Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation by the Senate as the 26th U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). This move, which happened after he suspended his 2024 presidential campaign, has cemented his status in the political establishment and thrust Cheryl Hines into the heart of Washington D.C.

As the head of a department with a nearly $2 trillion budget, RFK Jr.'s role is highly influential, overseeing all HHS programs and operating divisions. His appointment, however, has been met with controversy, with some policy experts expressing concerns over his qualifications given his background as an environmental activist and his past controversial statements.

For Cheryl Hines, this means a permanent shift in her lifestyle. She has quietly revealed that she has relocated to Washington, D.C., shutting down previous rumors of a serious rift in their marriage. Her new reality is one of supporting a cabinet member, a significant change from the lighthearted set of *Curb Your Enthusiasm*. She continues to use her platform to advocate for their blended family and to share the often-humorous, yet challenging, journey of being a modern-day political spouse in the most powerful city in the world.