The 11 Children Of Ethel Kennedy: Where Are They Now After The Matriarch's Passing?

The legacy of Ethel Kennedy, the formidable matriarch of the Kennedy family and widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, is defined not only by her own tireless work in human rights but also by the 11 children she raised in the crucible of American political history. As of this writing in December 2025, the family is navigating a new chapter following the recent passing of Ethel Kennedy on October 10, 2024, at the age of 96, from complications of a stroke. Her death marks a pivotal moment, focusing renewed attention on her surviving children and their continued, high-profile roles in politics, advocacy, and media.

The lives of Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy’s children are a complex tapestry of public service, personal tragedy, and enduring influence. From a former Lieutenant Governor to a controversial political figure and an award-winning filmmaker, each child carries the weight and prestige of the Kennedy name. This is a complete look at all 11 children, detailing their full biographies and their current activities in the wake of their mother’s passing.

Ethel Kennedy's 11 Children: A Complete Biographical Profile

Ethel Skakel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy had 11 children between 1951 and 1968, with their youngest, Rory, born after her father's assassination. Their lives have been marked by both extraordinary achievement and the persistent shadow of the "Kennedy Curse."

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• 1. Kathleen Hartington Kennedy Townsend (Born: July 4, 1951, Age: 74)
  • Career: Lawyer, politician, and author. She served as the sixth Lieutenant Governor of Maryland from 1995 to 2003. She is currently a research fellow at the Economic Policy Institute and works with the non-profit Operation Respect.
  • Current Status: Continues her work in public policy and advocacy.
• 2. Joseph Patrick Kennedy II (Born: September 24, 1952, Age: 73)
  • Career: Businessman and Democratic politician. He served as a U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 8th congressional district from 1987 to 1999. He founded Citizens Energy Corporation, a non-profit company.
  • Current Status: Focused on his work as Chairman and President of Citizens Energy Corporation. His son, Joe Kennedy III, recently served as a U.S. Congressman.
• 3. Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) (Born: January 17, 1954, Age: 71)
  • Career: Environmental lawyer, author, and political figure. He gained significant attention for his 2024 independent campaign for President of the United States. Recent reports suggest a possible shift in his career following the election, with some speculation about a cabinet-level role, such as Health and Human Services Secretary, which has drawn both support and controversy.
  • Current Status: A major figure in national politics, known for his environmental activism and controversial views on public health. He is married to actress Cheryl Hines.
• 4. David Anthony Kennedy (Born: June 15, 1955, Died: April 25, 1984, Age: 28)
  • Tragedy: David, the fourth child, struggled with drug addiction following the trauma of his father's assassination. He tragically died of a cocaine overdose in a Palm Beach, Florida hotel room.
• 5. Mary Courtney Kennedy Hill (Born: September 9, 1956, Age: 69)
  • Career: Works with various charities and human rights organizations. She is the mother of the late Saoirse Kennedy Hill, who tragically died of an overdose in 2019.
  • Current Status: Lives in Bethesda, Maryland, and maintains a private life dedicated to family and charitable causes.
• 6. Michael LeMoyne Kennedy (Born: February 27, 1958, Died: December 31, 1997, Age: 39)
  • Tragedy: Michael was an attorney and activist. He died in a skiing accident in Aspen, Colorado, when he struck a tree while playing football on skis. His death, along with David's, is often cited as a major element of the family's persistent misfortune.
• 7. Mary Kerry Kennedy (Born: September 8, 1959, Age: 66)
  • Career: A prominent human rights activist and author. She is the President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights (RFK Human Rights), the organization founded by her mother. She is a powerful voice globally, known for her "Speak Truth to Power" initiative.
  • Current Status: Continues to lead RFK Human Rights, advocating for social justice worldwide and receiving numerous awards, including the Medal for Social Activism from the Nobel Peace Summit.
• 8. Christopher George Kennedy (Born: July 4, 1963, Age: 62)
  • Career: Businessman. He is the Chairman of Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, Inc., the family's investment firm. He is also the founder and chairman of Top Box Foods, a non-profit organization that provides affordable, high-quality food to underserved communities.
  • Current Status: Active in business and philanthropy in Chicago, Illinois.
• 9. Matthew Maxwell Taylor Kennedy (Max) (Born: January 11, 1965, Age: 60)
  • Career: Lawyer and author. He has authored several books and contributed articles to major publications, focusing on history and environmental issues.
  • Current Status: Works as a lawyer and continues his writing career.
• 10. Douglas Harriman Kennedy (Born: March 24, 1967, Age: 58)
  • Career: Journalist and television correspondent. He began his career as a journalist at *The Nantucket Beacon* and later worked as a correspondent for the Fox News Channel.
  • Current Status: Continues his work in media and journalism.
• 11. Rory Elizabeth Katherine Kennedy (Born: December 12, 1968, Age: 57)
  • Career: Award-winning documentary filmmaker. She was born six months after her father's assassination. She is an Academy Award-nominated and Primetime Emmy-winning director and producer, with over thirty films to her credit, including *Last Days in Vietnam*.
  • Current Status: One of the most prolific and respected documentary filmmakers today, focusing on social issues, human rights, and political events.

The Enduring Political and Activist Footprint

The most immediate and high-profile activities among Ethel Kennedy's children today are rooted in politics and human rights advocacy, continuing the family's decades-long commitment to public life.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the eldest, has made a career of public service, culminating in her term as the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. Her current work with the Economic Policy Institute and Operation Respect shows a continued focus on policy and social welfare, often speaking on topics like retirement security and ethical leadership.

Meanwhile, the political sphere has been dominated by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.). His 2024 presidential campaign, run as an independent, was a polarizing event that captivated national attention. His subsequent political trajectory, including unconfirmed reports of a potential cabinet role as Health and Human Services Secretary, has kept him at the center of the political discourse well into 2025.

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The family's dedication to human rights is perhaps best personified by Kerry Kennedy, who serves as the President of RFK Human Rights. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its global reach, working to protect activists and advance social justice in the spirit of her father. Her work, including the "Speak Truth to Power" initiative, regularly places her on the world stage, receiving accolades such as the Medal for Social Activism.

Tragedy and Resilience: The Shadow of the Kennedy Curse

No discussion of Ethel Kennedy's children is complete without acknowledging the profound losses that have marked their lives, events often grouped under the grim moniker of the "Kennedy Curse." Ethel Kennedy’s strength and resilience in the face of these tragedies is a defining part of her legacy.

The family suffered two devastating losses among the 11 children themselves. David Anthony Kennedy, after years of struggle, died from a drug overdose in 1984. Michael LeMoyne Kennedy was killed in a tragic skiing accident in 1997. These deaths, coming after their father's assassination in 1968, added to the public perception of the family's misfortune.

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More recently, the third and fourth generations have also faced tragedy. In 2019, granddaughter Saoirse Kennedy Hill, daughter of Courtney Kennedy Hill, died of an overdose. In 2020, the family was struck again when granddaughter Maeve Kennedy McKean and her 8-year-old son, Gideon, drowned in a canoeing accident in the Chesapeake Bay.

Despite these profound setbacks, the surviving children, including Christopher Kennedy who runs the family’s investment firm, Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, Inc., and Douglas Kennedy who works as a journalist, have continued to pursue successful careers while maintaining the family's philanthropic and public service commitments.

The Next Generation: Carrying the Torch in 2025

The passing of Ethel Kennedy has brought the focus back to the next generation, who are now tasked with carrying the family's political and humanitarian torch.

The most visible member of the third generation is former Congressman Joe Kennedy III, son of Joseph Patrick Kennedy II. His recent political activities and public statements—including joining his aunt Kerry Kennedy in publicly opposing RFK Jr.'s political positions—demonstrate the complexity and continued political engagement of the family.

Rory Kennedy, the youngest of Ethel's children, is ensuring the family's story and social concerns are documented for posterity through her prolific career as an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker. Her work, which often focuses on social issues and human rights, acts as a powerful continuation of her parents' legacy, reaching millions through the medium of film.

As the Kennedy family moves forward without its matriarch, the 11 children of Ethel Kennedy remain a powerful force in American life, each embodying a different facet of the family's enduring—and often tumultuous—history of public service and influence.