The Kennedy Curse: A Legacy of Tragedy and Misfortune

The “Kennedy curse” refers to the series of tragedies—including deaths, accidents, assassinations, and scandals—that have affected the Kennedy family, one of America’s most prominent political dynasties.

What Is the Kennedy Curse?
The term emerged from repeated misfortunes suffered by Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.’s descendants and relatives. These include high-profile assassinations, fatal accidents, and early deaths. Ted Kennedy publicly mentioned a possible “curse” after the 1969 Chappaquiddick incident, reflecting a belief that his family faced a pattern of ill-fate.

Timeline of Kennedy Family Tragedies

• Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., eldest son, died in a plane explosion during World War II, 1944.
• Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy died in a plane crash in France, 1948.
• Rosemary Kennedy was institutionalized after a lobotomy arranged by her father, 1941.
• President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963.
• Senator Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles, 1968.
• Ted Kennedy survived a plane crash and was involved in the Chappaquiddick car accident, 1969.
• JFK Jr., his wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and Lauren Bessette died in a plane crash, 1999.
• Other tragedies include deaths from drug overdoses, accidents, and health issues, including a leukemia diagnosis of Tatiana Schlossberg, JFK’s granddaughter.

Theories and Cultural Impact
Some suggest the “curse” stems from ancestral choices or dramatic, even supernatural origins, including alleged rabbinic curses or controversial historical conduct. Most historians see it as the result of high-profile lives under public scrutiny, risky careers, and pressure, rather than superstition.

Notable Accidents and Scandals

• Plane crashes claimed the lives of Joseph Jr., Kathleen, and JFK Jr.
• Drug addiction and overdoses affected family members, including David Kennedy.
• Legal and personal scandals, including Chappaquiddick, impacted Ted Kennedy and others.

The idea of a “Kennedy curse” continues in American culture due to the repeated misfortunes in a famous family, though it is viewed as a pattern of tragedy rather than a literal supernatural phenomenon.