John F Kennedy Family Tree: The Story Behind America's 35th President

John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy, born 29 May 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts, USA, was the 35th President of the United States (1961–1963) — the first Catholic and the youngest elected US President. Assassinated 22 November 1963 in Dallas, Texas. He came from one of America's most-famous political dynasties.

The Family's Roots: An Irish-American Boston Dynasty

The Kennedy family is Irish Catholic American, descended from Irish potato-famine emigrants who settled in Boston in 1849. Father Joseph Sr. built an enormous fortune and became the patriarch of a political dynasty.

His Parents

Father: Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. (1888–1969) — businessman, banker, film executive; US Ambassador to the UK (1938–40); built a $250+ million fortune; the architect of the family's political ambitions.

Mother: Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (1890–1995) — daughter of Boston Mayor John "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald; raised nine children; lived to age 104.

His Siblings

Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (1915–1944) — eldest brother; Navy pilot; killed in WWII over the English Channel.

Rosemary Kennedy (1918–2005) — younger sister; underwent a botched lobotomy in 1941 that left her incapacitated.

Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy (1920–1948) — sister; killed in a plane crash in France at age 28.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver (1921–2009) — sister; founder of the Special Olympics.

Patricia Kennedy Lawford (1924–2006) — sister; married actor Peter Lawford.

Robert F. Kennedy (1925–1968) — brother; Attorney General; US Senator; assassinated 6 June 1968 during 1968 presidential campaign.

Jean Kennedy Smith (1928–2020) — sister; US Ambassador to Ireland (1993–98).

Ted (Edward M.) Kennedy (1932–2009) — youngest brother; US Senator from Massachusetts for 47 years (1962–2009); "Lion of the Senate."

His Wife: Jackie

Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (1929–1994) — Newport-educated; Washington Times-Herald photographer when she met JFK; married him 12 September 1953.

Their Children

Arabella Kennedy (1956, stillborn).

Caroline Bouvier Kennedy, born November 1957 — daughter; lawyer; US Ambassador to Japan (2013–17); US Ambassador to Australia (from 2022).

John F. Kennedy Jr. (1960–1999) — son; lawyer, magazine publisher (George); died in a plane crash 16 July 1999 off Martha's Vineyard at age 38.

Patrick Kennedy (August 1963, died 2 days later).

The Kennedy Family Tree at a Glance

Family Origins: Irish-American Catholic; Boston.

Father: Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. (1888–1969) — Ambassador to UK; family architect.

Mother: Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (1890–1995) — lived to 104.

Siblings: 8 — Joseph Jr. (1915–1944, WWII KIA); Rosemary (1918–2005, lobotomy); Kick (1920–1948, plane crash); Eunice (1921–2009, Special Olympics founder); Patricia (1924–2006); Robert "Bobby" (1925–1968, assassinated); Jean (1928–2020, Ambassador to Ireland); Ted (1932–2009, 47-year Senator).

Wife: Jackie Bouvier (1929–1994; m. September 1953).

Children: Arabella (1956, stillborn); Caroline (b. November 1957) — Ambassador to Japan, Australia; JFK Jr. (1960–1999, plane crash at 38); Patrick (August 1963, died at 2 days).

John F. Kennedy:

  • Born 29 May 1917, Brookline
  • Choate; Harvard (BA 1940, cum laude)
  • WWII US Navy: PT-109 incident (August 1943) made him a war hero
  • US House of Representatives: 1947–1953 (Massachusetts)
  • US Senate: 1953–1960 (Massachusetts)
  • President of the United States: 20 January 1961 – 22 November 1963
  • Bay of Pigs (April 1961); Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962); Civil Rights speech (June 1963); "Ich bin ein Berliner" (June 1963)
  • Assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald, Dallas, Texas: 22 November 1963; age 46
  • Body lay in state at US Capitol; buried at Arlington National Cemetery

What the Kennedy Family Story Teaches Us

A father who built a fortune and the family's political ambitions. A mother who lived to 104. Nine children, four of whom died unnaturally young (Joseph Jr. in WWII; Kick in a plane crash at 28; JFK assassinated at 46; Bobby assassinated at 42). A wife widowed at 34. A son who died in a plane crash at 38. A family whose record holds more national tragedies than any other modern American line.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Kennedy story carries the same lesson. Some families carry repeated tragedy alongside enormous achievement. The Kennedy tree holds two assassinations, two early plane-crash deaths, a wartime KIA, and a lobotomy — all on the same family record as the presidency, the Special Olympics, and 47 years in the Senate. Write down every entry. The full record is the honest record.

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📜 Disclaimer The family tree and biographical information provided in this article are based on publicly available historical sources and records. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or authenticity of all data. This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only. If you believe any information is incorrect or wish to request edits or removal, please contact us at Info@familyrootapp.com.