Ted Kennedy

Who Was Ted Kennedy?

Ted Kennedy, born Edward Moore Kennedy on February 22, 1932, in Boston, Massachusetts, was the youngest of the prominent Kennedy brothers, including President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Elected to the U.S. Senate at the age of 30, he served for nearly five decades, becoming a leading figure in American progressive politics until his death on August 25, 2009. Despite personal scandals, Kennedy was celebrated as a champion of liberal causes such as healthcare reform, education, and civil rights.

Early Life

Ted Kennedy was born into one of America’s most influential families, the youngest of nine children. His parents, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy and Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., were a prominent Irish Catholic couple. Rose was the daughter of Boston mayor John “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald, while Joseph was a successful businessman and diplomat who held various governmental positions, including U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom. This privileged upbringing shaped Ted’s early life, but it also demanded a high level of academic and personal achievement.

From a young age, Ted experienced frequent moves due to his father’s political and business career, leading him to attend 10 different schools by the age of 11. Both parents instilled a deep sense of ambition and competitiveness in their children, particularly emphasizing academic excellence. Dinner at the Kennedy household was often a lively arena for debates on politics, history, and current events, encouraging intellectual engagement. Ted, however, was more interested in sports than academics, earning a reputation as the family extrovert, known for his charm and humor.

Despite the high expectations placed upon him, Ted was often in the shadow of his older brothers, whose academic and athletic achievements far surpassed his own. His father pushed him to improve both his grades and physical fitness, yet Ted found himself more comfortable in social settings than in scholarly pursuits. This dynamic, combined with the close bond he shared with his parents as the youngest child, meant that Ted often faced less pressure than his siblings to excel academically, a factor that would later influence his career trajectory.

Family Tragedy

The Kennedy family, despite its success, was no stranger to tragedy, often referred to as “The Kennedy Curse.” In 1941, Ted’s father secretly arranged for his sister Rosemary, who had developmental challenges, to undergo a lobotomy, which left her permanently incapacitated. This event deeply affected the family. In 1944, Ted’s eldest brother, Joe Jr., died in action during World War II, and in 1948, his sister Kathleen died in a plane crash. These early tragedies left a lasting impact on Ted, who frequently sought to bring levity to his grieving family, but they also underscored the heavy burden of loss that would haunt the Kennedy dynasty.

Education

In 1946, Ted entered Milton Academy, a prestigious boarding school near Boston, where he focused on athletics, debate, and drama. Although he was active in various extracurriculars, his academic performance lagged behind that of his brothers, especially when compared to the high standards set by his family. Following his graduation from Milton in 1950, Ted attended Harvard University, continuing the Kennedy tradition of elite education, but struggled to distinguish himself in the academic arena.

Ted Kennedy’s early years were shaped by both privilege and adversity, setting the stage for a life that would see remarkable public service and personal challenges.

Ivy League Life

Ted Kennedy, the youngest of the Kennedy siblings, quickly immersed himself in Harvard’s football team upon enrollment. However, in the spring, he found himself failing his Spanish class. Desperate to remain on the team, Ted arranged for another student to take the exam in his place. The incident led to his expulsion, with the option to return in two years contingent on good behavior. During this hiatus, Kennedy enlisted in the U.S. Army and, through his father’s influence, secured a posting as a guard at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Command in Paris, France.

In 1952, Kennedy re-enrolled at Harvard and resumed his football career, attracting the attention of the Green Bay Packers, who offered him a recruitment opportunity in 1955. Kennedy declined, choosing instead to pursue law school and another “contact sport”—politics. After Harvard, he briefly studied at The Hague’s International Law School before earning his law degree from Virginia Law School in 1959.

Senate Career

Ted Kennedy began his political career by campaigning for his brother, John F. Kennedy, in the 1960 presidential race. In 1962, Ted was elected to the U.S. Senate, filling John’s former seat for Massachusetts. At just 30 years old, Ted became a prominent political figure. Tragedy struck in 1963 with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. A year later, Ted survived a plane crash, suffering severe injuries that would cause chronic pain for the rest of his life. Despite being unable to campaign actively, Kennedy won reelection to the Senate in 1964 by a landslide.

By the late 1960s, Ted Kennedy began speaking out against the Vietnam War, which had escalated during his brother’s presidency. Initially a supporter, Kennedy’s views evolved as he grew critical of the war’s strategy and the corruption in South Vietnam. His visits to South Vietnam after the Tet Offensive solidified his opposition to the war, while maintaining cordial relations with President Lyndon Johnson’s administration.

Another family tragedy struck in 1968 with the assassination of his brother Robert Kennedy. During Robert’s eulogy, Ted movingly stated, “My brother need not be idealized… but to be remembered simply as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it.”

Following Robert’s death, Ted became the leading figure of the Kennedy family and, in 1969, was appointed the youngest-ever majority whip in the Senate. However, later that year, a car accident at Chappaquiddick Island resulted in the death of his companion, Mary Jo Kopechne. Kennedy’s delayed response and legal troubles tarnished his reputation, discouraging him from presidential bids in 1972 and 1976. In 1980, he did challenge incumbent President Jimmy Carter but lost in the primaries, though not before delivering a memorable speech at the Democratic National Convention.

As the 1980s unfolded, Kennedy’s liberal platform faced resistance during Ronald Reagan’s presidency. Despite personal challenges, including a divorce from Joan Bennett Kennedy, he remained a significant legislative force, winning reelection in 1982 and again in 1988. His marriage to lawyer Victoria Reggie in 1992 marked a period of personal stability.

Legislative Legacy

With Bill Clinton’s election in 1992, Kennedy’s influence surged once more. He was instrumental in passing key healthcare legislation, including the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the 1997 Children’s Health Act. His legislative work spanned issues such as immigration reform, healthcare, and civil rights, often collaborating across party lines with notable Republicans like John McCain and Orrin Hatch.

Kennedy’s legislative contributions continued into the new millennium, including his role in passing the No Child Left Behind Act and his efforts to support the victims of the 9/11 attacks through mental health initiatives. A staunch critic of the Iraq War, Kennedy also sponsored legislation for improved safety measures for U.S. troops.

Final Years and Death

In May 2008, Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor after suffering a seizure. Despite undergoing surgery, he remained active in politics, even endorsing Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign and delivering an emotional speech at the Democratic National Convention. Although weakened by his illness, Kennedy continued to serve, famously returning to vote on the economic stimulus package in early 2009.

On August 25, 2009, Ted Kennedy passed away at his home in Cape Cod after a prolonged battle with brain cancer. His death marked the end of an era for the Kennedy family and American politics.

Known as the “liberal lion of the Senate,” Kennedy’s legacy is one of tireless public service, bipartisan collaboration, and monumental legislative achievements. His influence on American law and politics will be remembered as a testament to his dedication to the ideals of justice, equality, and service to the common good.