Ethel Kennedy, a human rights advocate and the widow of former United States Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, is recovering after suffering a stroke last week, her grandson said in a statement on Tuesday.
Ethel, 96, is the sister-in-law of former President John F. Kennedy.
“Unfortunately on Thursday morning she suffered a stroke in her sleep,” her grandson Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III, D-Massachusetts, said on X. “She was brought to an area hospital where she is now receiving treatment.”
Ethel Kennedy attends the 30th Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Awards Ceremony, in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, Nov. 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images, FILE
“She is comfortable, she is getting the best care possible, and she is surrounded by family,” Kennedy said of his grandmother. “She is, as you may know, a strong woman who has led a remarkably fulfilling life. We are here looking after her.”
The Kennedy family matriarch is mother to 11 children, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and has several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“She has had a great summer and transition into fall,” Kennedy III wrote in his statement. “She was able to get out on the water, visit the pier, and enjoy many lunches and dinners with family.”
The former congressman concluded his statement by requesting privacy for the family.
Ethel founded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights nonprofit in her late husband’s honor a year after he was assassinated while running for president in 1968.
She became a widow at the age of 40 years old with 10 children and while pregnant with the couple’s 11th child. She never remarried.
Among other human rights organizations she’s been involved with, Ethel co-chaired the Coalition of Gun Control.
In 2014, former President Barack Obama presented Ethel with the Congressional Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest honor for a civil, saying at the time, that her “love of family is matched only by her devotion to her nation.”
“She’s an emblem of enduring faith and enduring hope even in the face of unimaginable loss and unimaginable grief,” Obama said during the White House ceremony. “And she has touched the lives of countless people around the world with her generosity and grace.”
Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, has been hospitalized following a stroke, according to a statement released by her family. The 92-year-old matriarch of the Kennedy family was admitted to a hospital in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts on Tuesday.
The statement from the Kennedy family did not provide any details about Ethel Kennedy’s condition or the severity of the stroke. However, it did confirm that she is receiving medical treatment and is surrounded by her family.
Ethel Kennedy is known for her philanthropic work and her advocacy for social justice causes. She has been a prominent figure in American politics for decades, supporting her husband during his time in the Senate and his run for president in 1968.
The news of Ethel Kennedy’s hospitalization has sparked an outpouring of support and well wishes from friends, family, and admirers. Many have taken to social media to express their concern and offer prayers for her speedy recovery.
Stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, leading to damage to brain cells. Symptoms of a stroke can include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, and difficulty walking.
Treatment for a stroke typically involves medications to dissolve blood clots or reduce blood pressure, as well as rehabilitation therapy to help patients regain lost function. The outcome of a stroke can vary depending on the severity of the damage and how quickly treatment is administered.
Ethel Kennedy’s family has asked for privacy during this difficult time, but they have expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from well-wishers. As the Kennedy family rallies around their beloved matriarch, they are hopeful for her recovery and are staying positive as she undergoes treatment.
In the meantime, fans and supporters of Ethel Kennedy are encouraged to keep her in their thoughts and prayers as she fights to overcome this health challenge. Her resilience and strength have been an inspiration to many, and her family is confident that she will emerge from this ordeal with the same grace and determination that she has shown throughout her life.
