Linda, even in this Age of the Internet, I someone who can't walk past a magazine stand without flipping through one or two of the wares being sold. That said, I can't help but wonder if all the attention didn't exacerbate the "ordeal" of this particular political wife. That was pretty much the point of this post.
Ananka, she was President John F. Kennedy's sister-in-law. After his and Bobby Kennedy's assassinations, kid brother Teddy (his nickname) was widely seen throughout the 1970s as a probable future President, and so it only follows that wife Joan was seen as a future First Lady, hence all the magazine covers. Unfortunately, she developed a drinking problem, likely brought on by her eldest son's cancer (he lost a leg) and her husband's infidelities (a character trait that seemed to run in that family, at least among the male members.)
Ted Kennedy eventually did run for president, challenging fellow Democrat (and incumbent President) Jimmy Carter for the party's nomination. Unfortunately for Teddy, a much-publicized event in his past refused to stay in the past. In 1969, he accidentally (and some allege drunkenly) drove off a bridge and into the water with a young woman who was not his wife. Ted survived, the young woman didn't. Such was the power of the Kennedy name in the 1970s that a lot of people didn't think this tragic event would be much of an obstacle on the road to the White House. Turned out it was. And of course it didn't help Joan's efforts to stay sober any.
As I reread what I just wrote, I realize that Ted Kennedy comes across as a pretty disreputable character. Nevertheless, had his name ever appeared on the ballot once I had reached voting age, I probably would have voted for him. What can I say? I liked his stand on the issues.
Hi Kirk, Joan Kennedy was barely a name to me, so with the help of your photos and the Wikipedia article I could piece her life together. It must not have been easy marrying into the Kennedy family--a tough lot from the get-go. Imagine having Rose Kennedy for a mother-in-law. Even worse was quarreling with her children about money control, and things ending up in court. Sometimes having an ordinary family isn't so bad. --Jim
In order to keep the hucksters, humbugs, scoundrels, psychos, morons, and last but not least, artificial intelligentsia at bay, I have decided to turn on comment moderation. On the plus side, I've gotten rid of the word verification.
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America’s royal family was subjected to all the pressures that come with the turf, and it’s not always pretty.
ReplyDeleteNo more prettier than the Windsors, David.
DeleteWhat a life!
ReplyDeleteNotwithstanding her proximity to wealth and power, Mitchell, it doesn't seem to have been an easy one.
DeleteShe appears to have suffered a facial disfigurement in her older years.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, it may just be the disfigurement that sometimes comes with age.
DeleteI love all these vintage magazine covers and photos.
ReplyDeleteLinda, even in this Age of the Internet, I someone who can't walk past a magazine stand without flipping through one or two of the wares being sold. That said, I can't help but wonder if all the attention didn't exacerbate the "ordeal" of this particular political wife. That was pretty much the point of this post.
DeleteNo idea who she was Kirk, didn't make the news over here!
ReplyDeleteAnanka, she was President John F. Kennedy's sister-in-law. After his and Bobby Kennedy's assassinations, kid brother Teddy (his nickname) was widely seen throughout the 1970s as a probable future President, and so it only follows that wife Joan was seen as a future First Lady, hence all the magazine covers. Unfortunately, she developed a drinking problem, likely brought on by her eldest son's cancer (he lost a leg) and her husband's infidelities (a character trait that seemed to run in that family, at least among the male members.)
DeleteTed Kennedy eventually did run for president, challenging fellow Democrat (and incumbent President) Jimmy Carter for the party's nomination. Unfortunately for Teddy, a much-publicized event in his past refused to stay in the past. In 1969, he accidentally (and some allege drunkenly) drove off a bridge and into the water with a young woman who was not his wife. Ted survived, the young woman didn't. Such was the power of the Kennedy name in the 1970s that a lot of people didn't think this tragic event would be much of an obstacle on the road to the White House. Turned out it was. And of course it didn't help Joan's efforts to stay sober any.
As I reread what I just wrote, I realize that Ted Kennedy comes across as a pretty disreputable character. Nevertheless, had his name ever appeared on the ballot once I had reached voting age, I probably would have voted for him. What can I say? I liked his stand on the issues.
Hi Kirk, Joan Kennedy was barely a name to me, so with the help of your photos and the Wikipedia article I could piece her life together. It must not have been easy marrying into the Kennedy family--a tough lot from the get-go. Imagine having Rose Kennedy for a mother-in-law. Even worse was quarreling with her children about money control, and things ending up in court. Sometimes having an ordinary family isn't so bad.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Jim, the grass is always greener on the other side of the Hyannis Port.
Delete