Rose Kennedy John Kennedy Sr.'s wife Date of Birth: 22.07.1890 Country: USA

1. Rose Kennedy's Biography
2. Early Life and Education
3. Marriage and Family
4. Strict Catholicism and Family Conflict
5. Later Years and Death

Rose Kennedy's Biography

Rose Kennedy was born on October 7, 1914, in Boston, Massachusetts. She was the oldest child of John Fitzgerald and Mary Josephine Hannon. Her father was a prominent figure in Boston politics, serving as the mayor of Boston for two terms and in the United States Congress.

Early Life and Education

As a young girl, Rose lived in a modest Italian-style attic in Dorchester, Massachusetts. However, the house was later destroyed by fire, and a memorial plaque called "Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Square" now stands in its place. Rose's son, Senator Edward Kennedy, installed the plaque in 1992 to honor her 102nd birthday.

After graduating from high school in 1906, Rose decided to attend Wellesley College. However, her father did not approve of her decision and sent her to the Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart instead. In 1908, Rose traveled to Europe with her father, even meeting the Pope during their trip.

Marriage and Family

On October 7, 1914, Rose married Joseph Kennedy Sr. They lived in Joseph's Brooklyn home for a while and had a total of nine children together. Although Joseph provided for the family, his infidelity strained their relationship. Rose attempted to leave him and take the children to her parents' house, but her father reminded her that divorce was not an option according to Catholic doctrine. Rose was forced to return to her unfaithful husband.

Rose chose to ignore her husband's affairs, displaying remarkable composure. One of Joseph's mistresses, the movie star Gloria Swanson, even remarked that "Rose was either a saint, a fool, or a better actress than me."

Strict Catholicism and Family Conflict

Rose's strict Catholic beliefs often created tension between her and her children, especially her daughter Kathleen. Rose refused to attend Kathleen's wedding to William Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington, a supporter of the Anglican Church. However, they eventually reconciled after the deaths of both Cavendish and Joseph Kennedy Sr.

Over the years, Rose experienced the deaths of four out of her nine children. She became a widow in November 1969 when Joseph passed away. Her mother, Mary Hannon, also tragically did not live to see her grandson, President John F. Kennedy, as she died just eight months before his assassination.

Later Years and Death

In 1984, at the age of 94, Rose suffered a severe heart attack that confined her to a wheelchair until her death. She spent her final years at her residence in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. On January 22, 1995, Rose Kennedy passed away from complications of pneumonia at the age of 104 and a half. She outlived four of her nine children, her son-in-law, her daughter-in-law Jackie Kennedy, and two grandchildren.