American politics has a long and troubled history. One of the most challenging chapters in this history was the assassination of former US President, John F Kennedy. During his presidency and after his demise, his family remained in the spotlight, especially Joan Bennett Kennedy. She was the former wife of John’s youngest brother and US Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy, who passed away at the age of 89. Her death has now reopened different chapters of her life, including her painful and public divorce.
Why did Joan Kennedy divorce Ted Kennedy?
Joan Kennedy was a talented pianist, and her marriage to Ted was considered a picture-perfect match in the late 1950s. However, behind the golden era of the Kennedy family, the marriage was marked by conflicts and emotional pain. Initially, the marriage seemed to be a fairytale union. But gradually, Ted’s infidelities, heavy drinking, and the increasing pressure of political life on their marriage, including the assassination of John and Robert Kennedy, left deep cracks in it.
The cracks finally broke the marriage after the Chappaquiddick incident in 1969 when Ted drove his car off a bridge. It led to the death of a 28-year-old woman, Mary Jo Kopechne. Apart from shaking the political scene, it became a turning point in the couple’s marriage. Joan, who was pregnant during the time, was forced to publicly come out and support her husband during the scandal.
Further, the situation became difficult after Joan suffered a miscarriage shortly after the tragedy. Joan and Ted’s marriage had hit a rough patch behind the scenes, triggering Joan’s struggles with alcoholism and depression. However, they had to maintain the façade of togetherness when Ted ran for president in 1980. Later, the couple filed for divorce in 1983, ending nearly two decades of their difficult marriage.
Joan Bennett and Ted Kennedy were a fairytale couple of the US
Joan Bennett first met Ted Kennedy when she was studying at Manhattanville College in 1957. She was a classically trained pianist and model, famous and admired for her grace and intelligence. Within a couple of months, after encouragement from Ted’s father, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr, they tied the knot in 1958. Marrying Joan was beneficial for Ted in the early phase of his political career, as she was perceived as a loving wife who connected with voters through her piano pieces at campaign rallies. However, when John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 and Robert Kennedy died in the same manner within the next five years, Joan’s mental health began to suffer.
Joan Bennett and Ted Kennedy’s life after divorce
After a painful and public split, Joan Bennett relocated to Boston, where she earned a master’s degree and went on to become a music teacher. She lived a quiet life away from fanfare, but often tried to reduce stigma around alcoholism and mental health by sharing her experiences. Her children eventually obtained guardianship to ensure her well-being. On the other hand, Ted Kennedy remarried in 1992. He found joy and stability with his second wife, lawyer Victoria Reggie Kennedy, who remained by his side until he died in 2009.
We send our heartfelt condolences to Joan Bennett’s family in this difficult time.
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