RFK's Widow And Social Justice Activist Ethel Kennedy Dead At Age 96

Activist, and wife of Robert F. Kennedy, Ethel Kennedy, has passed away at the age of 96.

Kennedy's family reported the news of her death on Thursday morning, per The AP News. Kennedy, who was devoted to social activism as she raised 11 children as a widow, suffered a stroke earlier this month, on October 3rd.

On social media, her grandson John Kennedy III revealed that she experienced the stroke in her sleep. The stroke led to her subsequent hospitalization before her unfortunate passing.

Kennedy's family reported the news of her death on Thursday morning, per The AP News. Ethel Kennedy had previously suffered a stroke that led to her hospitalization at the time of her death.

"It is with our hearts full of love that we announce the passing of our mother Ethel Kennedy," the announcement read. "She died this morning from complications related to a stroke suffered last week," the Kennedy family's statement begins.

Kennedy's daughter, Kerry, has also shared the announcement as of this writing. Kerry's message also asked the public to keep their mother's memory in their "hearts and prayers."

Mrs. Kennedy married her late husband Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1950. The couple was married until the Senator lost his life in 1968 after a fatal shooting at the Ambassador Hotel, where his wife was at his side.

Mrs. Kennedy's activism is being remembered upon her passing.

The family's statement highlights Mrs. Kennedy's "lifetime's work in social justice and human rights."

Following Senator Kennedy's passing, Mrs. Kennedy founded the Robert F. Kennedy Justice Center for Justice and Human Rights, advocating for gun control in the wake of her husband's passing, per NPR. Senator Kennedy had just been declared of the Democratic Presidential primary when he was killed.

Mrs. Kennedy implored that her husband's assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, not be granted release from prison decades later; he was later granted parole.

The family's statement also reads, "She was a devout Catholic and a daily communicant, and we are comforted in knowing she is reunited with the love of her life, our father, Robert F. Kennedy," before mentioning the Kennedy family members who have also passed away, including her children David and Michael. (per X).

Mrs. Kennedy's family included a recent health update in their statement.

"She has had a great summer and transition into fall,” said a family statement, issued after she was hospitalized. “Every day she enjoyed time with her children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was able to get out on the water, visit the pier, and enjoy many lunches and dinners with family. It has been a gift to all of us and to her as well," it read.

Losing her husband in such a traumatic fashion stuck with Mrs. Kennedy for decades after his assassination. Her brother-in-law, President John F. Kennedy, had only lost his life five years earlier after he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, as per The AP News.

The couple's daughter, Rory, told her mother's life story in the HBO documentary, "Ethel," in 2012. The documentary included personal insight into Mrs. Kennedy's personality, such as her reluctance to revisit how her children had lost their father. Mrs. Kennedy cut off conversation about the assassination in the documentary.

"When we lost Daddy," Mrs. Kennedy began in "Ethel," before she asked Rory to switch subjects.

Mrs. Kennedy's daughter, Kerry, also published a statement announcing her mother had suffered a stroke, only days ago. (per AP News)

Kerry revealed Mrs. Kennedy had been "resting comfortably" after being taken to a hospital to receive treatment.

"She is comfortable and receiving the best care possible, and is surrounded by family," Kerry's statement reads. "She is, as you may know, a strong woman that has led a remarkably fulfilling life," before adding that the Kennedy family was "looking after her."

The statement was posted to Kennedy's X (formerly Twitter) account two days ago, on October 8th.

Kerry also implored the public to respect their privacy.