Joan B. Kennedy, Ted Kennedy’s First Wife, Dies at 89
Joan B. Kennedy, the first wife of Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy — to whom she was married for 22 years until their 1983 divorce — died Wednesday in Boston at age 89, a death confirmed in a family statement from her son Patrick Kennedy and his wife Amy. A classically trained pianist who often opened her husband's campaign events and later toured with orchestras, she was an early public advocate for mental‑health and addiction recovery and publicly struggled with alcoholism and mental illness amid personal tragedies, including miscarriages after the Chappaquiddick episode; Patrick praised her courage and talent.
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📌 Key Facts
- Her death was publicly confirmed by her son, former Rep. Patrick Kennedy, and his wife Amy in a family statement that included an on‑record tribute praising her courage and talent.
- She died Wednesday in Boston at age 89.
- She was the first wife of Sen. Edward (Ted) Kennedy, married to him for 22 years; reports recall the Chappaquiddick episode in 1969 and their divorce in 1983.
- A classically trained pianist, she often opened Ted Kennedy’s campaign events at the piano, later toured with orchestras, and — per a 1992 AP recollection — played “This Land Is Your Land” for Robert F. Kennedy’s 1968 campaign.
- The family statement and reports highlighted her early public advocacy for mental‑health and addiction recovery.
- Reports note personal hardships including miscarriages (one shortly after Chappaquiddick) and a long struggle with alcoholism and mental‑health issues.
📰 Sources (3)
Joan Kennedy, first wife of Sen. Edward Kennedy, dies at 89
New information:
- AP reports Joan B. Kennedy died Wednesday in Boston at age 89.
- Adds biographical detail that she was a classically trained pianist who often opened Ted Kennedy’s campaign events at the piano and later toured with orchestras.
- Includes a 1992 AP recollection of playing “This Land Is Your Land” for Robert F. Kennedy’s 1968 campaign.
- Carries a new on‑record tribute from her son, former Rep. Patrick Kennedy, praising her courage and talent.
- Notes personal history elements (miscarriages including one shortly after Chappaquiddick; long struggle with alcoholism and mental health).
Joan Kennedy, wife of Sen. Ted Kennedy for 22 years, dead at 89
New information:
- Death publicly confirmed by her son Patrick Kennedy and his wife, Amy, via a family statement.
- Family statement highlighted her roles as a classically trained pianist and an early public advocate for mental‑health and addiction recovery.
- Article notes she died at age 89 and recalls key biographical touchpoints (Chappaquiddick 1969; divorce in 1983).