Ethel Kennedy Hospitalized at 96: The Story Behind Her $50M Net Worth

After Suffering a Stroke, Ethel Kennedy’s $50M Legacy Continues to Shape the Kennedy Story!

Ethel Kennedy Net Worth 2024, Salary and Earnings: Ethel Kennedy, widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, is a prominent American activist and philanthropist with an estimated net worth of $50 million in 2024, derived from family inheritance, property holdings, and investments.

Key Takeaways

• Ethel Kennedy has an estimated net worth of $50 million.
• She is the widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
• Ethel founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights.
• She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014.
• Ethel has 11 children and is known for her advocacy work.

Ethel Kennedy: A Life of Activism and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Born Ethel Skakel on April 11, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, Ethel Kennedy grew up in a wealthy Catholic family. Her father, George Skakel, founded the successful Great Lakes Carbon Corporation. Ethel attended Greenwich Academy and later graduated from Manhattanville College in 1949 with a bachelor’s degree.

Personal Life and Family

Ethel met Robert F. Kennedy through his sister Jean, her college classmate. They married in 1950 and went on to have 11 children together. Their marriage lasted until Robert’s tragic assassination in 1968. Ethel never remarried, dedicating her life to raising her children and continuing her husband’s legacy of public service.

Career and Activism

Following her husband’s death, Ethel founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights in 1968. This organization works to advance human rights causes globally. Throughout her life, she has been involved in various social and environmental initiatives, including:

• Supporting the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Project.
• Advocating for farm workers’ rights.
• Promoting environmental protection.

Achievements and Recognition

Ethel Kennedy’s tireless work for social causes has earned her numerous accolades:

• Presidential Medal of Freedom (2014).
• Robert F. Kennedy medal (1981).
• Naming of the Ethel Kennedy Bridge in Washington, D.C. (2014).

Net Worth and Assets

Ethel Kennedy’s net worth is estimated at $50 million. This wealth comes from various sources:

• Inheritance from her family’s business.
• Property holdings, including the former Kennedy estate, Hickory Hill.
• Investments and trusts.

Properties and Residences

The Kennedy family has owned several notable properties:

• Hickory Hill in McLean, Virginia (sold in 2009 for $8.25 million).
• A home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, part of the Kennedy Compound.
• Ethel currently resides at the Kennedy Compound in Massachusetts.

Controversies

While Ethel Kennedy has largely avoided major controversies, the Kennedy family name has been associated with various scandals and tragedies over the years. Ethel herself has maintained a relatively low profile in terms of personal controversies.

Latest News

On October 9, 2024, Ethel Kennedy, at the age of 96, was hospitalized after suffering a stroke. Her grandson, former U.S. Representative Joe Kennedy III, announced the news via social media. He stated:

“My grandmother, Ethel Kennedy, suffered a stroke earlier this week and is now recovering in a hospital near her home in Hyannis Port. She is in good spirits and is surrounded by her family. We ask for your prayers and privacy during this time.”

This health incident has brought renewed attention to Ethel Kennedy’s life and legacy. As one of the last living links to the Camelot era of American politics, her condition has garnered significant public interest and concern.

Impact and Legacy

Ethel Kennedy’s life has been marked by both tragedy and resilience. Her dedication to social causes and human rights has left a lasting impact. The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization continues to carry out important work globally, inspired by the values she and her late husband championed.

Ethel Kennedy’s story is one of a woman who turned personal tragedy into a force for positive change. Her net worth, while substantial, pales in comparison to the social and political capital she has wielded in pursuit of justice and human rights. As the matriarch of the Kennedy family, she has played a crucial role in shaping the family’s ongoing legacy of public service and activism.