Jacqueline Lee Kennedy Onassis, known to the world as Jackie Kennedy, lived a life marked by extraordinary grace, profound tragedy, and quiet resilience. Born into a wealthy New York family, she became the First Lady of the United States at age 31, only to witness the assassination of her husband, President John F. Kennedy, three years later. She later married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis and built a successful career as a book editor in New York City. Her death from non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 1994, at age 64, closed a chapter that continues to fascinate historians and the public alike.
She was just 34 when JFK was killed in Dallas, yet she lived another 31 years, carving out an independent life away from the political spotlight. Her composure during the assassination and funeral became the stuff of legend, but her later years as a working editor revealed a different side: a private woman dedicated to literature and her children.
How Did Jackie Kennedy Die?
Quick Overview
- Full name: Jacqueline Lee Kennedy Onassis (née Bouvier)
- Birth – Death: July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994
- Role: First Lady of the United States (1961–1963), later book editor
- Key events: JFK assassination, marriage to Aristotle Onassis, career at Viking Press and Doubleday
Key Insights
- Jackie Kennedy’s composure during the JFK assassination became a defining moment of her public image.
- She was a pivotal force in the restoration and preservation of the White House as a museum.
- Her second marriage to Aristotle Onassis was widely criticized but provided her financial and personal freedom.
- After leaving politics, she built a successful career as a book editor in New York.
- Her death from lymphoma in 1994 ended an era of American royalty.
Snapshot Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | July 28, 1929, Southampton, New York |
| Died | May 19, 1994, New York City (lymphoma) |
| Spouses | John F. Kennedy (m. 1953–1963), Aristotle Onassis (m. 1968–1975) |
| Children | Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy Jr., Patrick Bouvier Kennedy (died in infancy) |
| Education | Vassar College, George Washington University (BA in French Literature) |
| Notable role | First Lady (1961–1963), White House restoration, state visit to India/Pakistan |
| Post-White House | Book editor at Viking Press, Doubleday |
What Were Jackie Kennedy’s Last Words?
There is no conclusive official record of her final words. Multiple anecdotal accounts exist, with one often‑repeated phrase being “I am going to be with Jack.” However, this report is not verified by medical staff or family statements. She maintained composure and privacy until the end, passing “peacefully” in her sleep.
What Is the Last Known Photo of Jackie Kennedy?
A paparazzi photograph taken on April 4, 1994, is widely considered the last known image of her. It shows a frail Jackie leaving her Manhattan apartment. No single universally accepted “last photo” exists, but this spring 1994 image is stored in archives such as Getty Images and cited in biographies.
Jackie Kennedy and JFK: What Was Their Marriage Like?
Jacqueline Bouvier married John F. Kennedy in November 1953 in Newport, Rhode Island. The marriage endured multiple tragedies: a miscarriage in 1955, the stillbirth of daughter Arabella in 1956, and the loss of son Patrick shortly after his premature birth in 1963. JFK also underwent near‑life‑threatening spinal surgery for a war injury early in their marriage, putting significant strain on the couple.
Despite these hardships, the Kennedys presented a glamorous public image. Jackie was the third youngest First Lady in U.S. history and the first since the 19th century to occupy the White House while of child‑bearing age. She witnessed JFK’s assassination in Dallas on November 22, 1963, an event that forever altered her life.
In correspondence later made public, Jackie expressed a desire to be a mother and wife rather than a public figure. The assassination left her traumatized, and she later described feeling “terrorized” again after Robert Kennedy’s death in 1968.
Who Was John F. Kennedy Jr.?
John F. Kennedy Jr. was born on November 25, 1960, just weeks after his father’s election as president. He became a cultural icon in his own right, known for his good looks and charm. After a brief career as a lawyer and magazine publisher, he died in a plane crash in July 1999. Jackie was deeply protective of him and his sister Caroline throughout their childhood.
What Was Jackie Kennedy’s Early Life Like?
Jacqueline Lee Bouvier was born on July 28, 1929, in Southampton, New York, into a prominent family. She attended Vassar College and studied abroad in France before graduating from George Washington University with a degree in French literature. Her refined upbringing and education shaped her taste for the arts, which she later brought to the White House renovation.
Her stepfather, Hugh D. Auchincloss, was a wealthy financier, and she grew up between New York and Newport. A passion for writing and languages emerged early; she won Vogue magazine’s Prix de Paris contest in 1951.
How Did Jackie Kennedy Spend Her Later Years?
After JFK’s assassination, she moved to New York City with her children. In 1968, she married Aristotle Onassis, a wealthy Greek shipping magnate, seeking security after Robert Kennedy’s murder. The marriage was controversial but allowed her to live privately in Europe and America.
Following Onassis’s death in 1975, she began a second act as a book editor. She worked at Viking Press from 1975 to 1977, then moved to Doubleday where she stayed until her death. Over 19 years, she acquired nearly 100 fiction and nonfiction books, launching bestsellers for authors including Louis Auchincloss and Philip Roth. She continued working even during early chemotherapy in early 1994.
Jackie refused countless interview and public appearance requests after leaving the White House. Instead, she chose the anonymity of a publishing office, where colleagues described her as diligent and passionate about books. Her legacy as an editor is often overlooked amid the more famous first lady years.
What Are the Best Books About Jackie Kennedy?
She did not write an autobiography, but many biographies cover her life. Notable works include Jackie: A Life in Pictures, What Would Jackie Do?, and America’s Queen by Sarah Bradford. Archives at the JFK Library continue to release personal letters and records that inform new publications.
What Were the Key Events in Jackie Kennedy’s Life?
- 1929 – Born in Southampton, New York
- 1947–1951 – Attended Vassar College, studied abroad in France
- 1951 – Graduated from George Washington University
- 1952 – Met John F. Kennedy at a dinner party
- 1953 – Married John F. Kennedy
- 1957 – Birth of daughter Caroline Kennedy
- 1960 – John F. Kennedy elected president; John F. Kennedy Jr. born
- 1961 – Became First Lady; began White House restoration
- 1963 – Patrick Bouvier Kennedy dies; JFK assassinated in Dallas
- 1968 – Married Aristotle Onassis
- 1975 – Onassis dies; Jackie returns to career as editor
- 1994 – Diagnosed with lymphoma; dies on May 19; buried at Arlington National Cemetery
What Remains Unclear About Jackie Kennedy’s Death?
Established Information
- Cause of death: non-Hodgkin lymphoma, confirmed by death certificate and medical records.
- She died peacefully in her sleep at 10:15 p.m. on May 19, 1994, with Caroline and John Jr. by her side.
- Treatment was halted at her request; she left hospital on May 18 for comfort care at home.
Uncertain or Unverified
- Her last words are not recorded in official sources; multiple anecdotal accounts exist.
- The exact last photograph is disputed; spring 1994 paparazzi images are the most plausible but not universally accepted.
- Whether a fall from a horse in late 1993 first drew attention to symptoms is mentioned in some accounts but not confirmed.
Why Does Jackie Kennedy’s Legacy Endure?
Her legacy extends far beyond her role as First Lady. She became a symbol of grace and resilience in the face of tragedy. Her decision to marry Aristotle Onassis was controversial but reflected her desire for privacy and security. As an editor, she helped publish works by noted authors and shaped American literary culture. Her fashion sense and patronage of the arts influenced a generation.
Jackie’s dignified battle with lymphoma in 1994 raised visibility for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and inspired resilience in cancer awareness. She was interred at Arlington National Cemetery beside President John F. Kennedy, their son Patrick, and their stillborn daughter Arabella.
Where Can You Find Reliable Information About Jackie Kennedy?
“There are two kinds of women: those who want power in the world, and those who want power in the bed.”
—Often attributed to Jackie Kennedy, but veracity disputed
“I never wanted to be a public figure. I wanted to be a mother and a wife.”
—From her private letters, as cited in biographies
“The White House is the people’s house; it should reflect the best of America.”
—Paraphrased from her televised White House tour
For authoritative sources, consult the JFK Library biography, the Britannica entry, and the White House Historical Association.
What Is the Lasting Impact of Jackie Kennedy?
Jackie Kennedy transformed the role of First Lady by championing arts and historic preservation. Her personal tragedies—losing two children and witnessing her husband’s assassination—only deepened her public mystique. Today, she is remembered not only as a style icon but as a woman who rebuilt her life on her own terms. For a similar story of a queen facing myth and tragedy, read Marie Antoinette – Biography, Death, and the Myths Behind the Queen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Jackie Kennedy when she died?
She was 64 years old (born July 28, 1929, died May 19, 1994).
Did Jackie Kennedy remarry after JFK?
Yes, she married Aristotle Onassis in 1968 and was widowed again in 1975.
Where is Jackie Kennedy buried?
Arlington National Cemetery, next to President John F. Kennedy and near their infant son Patrick and stillborn daughter Arabella.
Did Jackie Kennedy write a book?
She did not write a full autobiography, but she co-wrote a book about the White House restoration and worked as an editor. Many books have been written about her.
What was Jackie Kennedy’s relationship with her children?
She was devoted to Caroline and John Jr., raising them privately in New York City after JFK’s death. Both children were by her side when she passed.
Related stories
Philip Rowe is Senior Reporter at UKBullet.uk, covering breaking UK news stories.