Ethel Kennedy, 96, Hospitalized After a Stroke, Grandson Reveals

Ethel Kennedy is recovering after having a stroke, her grandson Joe Kennedy III shared on Tuesday, Oct. 8. 

The widow of late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, 96, “suffered” the health scare on Thursday morning in her sleep, Joe said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

“She was brought to an area hospital, where she is now receiving treatment,” Joe continued. “She is comfortable, she is getting the best care possible, and she is surrounded by family.”

“She is, as you may know, a strong woman who has led a remarkably fulfilling life. We are here looking after her.”

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He asked supporters to “keep her in your thoughts and prayers” and respect their family’s privacy.

Joe shared that Ethel’s stroke followed an enjoyable summer from spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to having lunch and dinners with family and visiting the pier.

“It has been a gift to all of us and to her as well,” wrote Joe.

In April, Ethel was surrounded by loved ones as she celebrated her 96th birthday.

In photos Joe shared on X, Ethel smiled and posed with her son Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Cheryl Hines.

“Happy 96th to the World’s most amazing Gramma!! 🎂,” Joe wrote alongside the special moment.

Ethel was also celebrated by her daughter Kerry Kennedy, who marked the occasion with a video montage on X with a little help from Taylor Swift’s 2012 song “Starlight,.”

“Today is my mom’s 96th birthday!” Kerry wrote. “To celebrate her, please listen to this great song that @taylorswift13 wrote about my parents!”

Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy married in 1950 and shared 11 children, including Robert Jr. and Kerry. He was assassinated in 1968, during his run for the Democratic presidential nomination. At the time, Ethel was pregnant with their daughter Rory.