Jean Kennedy Smith

American diplomat and United States Ambassador to Ireland; younger sister of John F. Kennedy (1928-2020)

Jean Ann Kennedy Smith (February 20, 1928 – June 17, 2020) was an American diplomat. She was the Ambassador to Ireland from 1993 to 1998. She is the eighth of nine children born to Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.. and Rose Kennedy. She was their last surviving child. Her siblings include President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, longtime Senator Ted Kennedy, and Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Jean Kennedy Smith
Kennedy Smith with Vicki Kennedy in 2008
25th United States Ambassador to Ireland
In office
June 17, 1993 – September 17, 1998
PresidentBill Clinton
Preceded byWilliam Henry Gerald FitzGerald
Succeeded byMichael J. Sullivan
Personal details
Born
Jean Ann Kennedy

(1928-02-20)February 20, 1928
Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedJune 17, 2020(2020-06-17) (aged 92)
New York City, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Stephen Edward Smith (1956–1990; his death)
RelationsJoseph P. Kennedy, Sr. (father)
Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (mother)
Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (brother)
John F. Kennedy (brother)
Rosemary Kennedy (sister)
Kathleen Agnes Kennedy (sister)
Eunice Kennedy (sister)
Patricia Kennedy (sister)
Robert F. Kennedy (brother)
Edward Moore Kennedy (brother)
ChildrenStephen Edward Smith, Jr. (born 1957)
William Kennedy Smith (born 1960)
Amanda Mary Smith (born 1967)
Kym Maria Smith (born 1972)
Alma materManhattanville College
ProfessionPolitician

In 2011, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, by President Barack Obama for her work with Very Special Arts and the disabled.

Early life

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Jean Ann Kennedy was born on February 20, 1928 in Brookline, Massachusetts,[1] on her elder sister Kathleen's eighth birthday. She was raised in Boston, Massachusetts. She studied at Manhattanville College.

Personal life

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Kennedy was married to Stephen Edward Smith from 1956 until his death in 1990. They had four children.

Smith died on June 17, 2020 in Manhattan, aged 92.[2][3]

References

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  1. "Jean Kennedy Smith." The Kennedy Family: JFK Library.
  2. Bzdek, Vincent P. (June 18, 2020). "Jean Kennedy Smith, Kennedy sister and architect of peace in Northern Ireland, dies at 92". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  3. McFadden, Robert D. (June 18, 2020). "Jean Kennedy Smith Dies at 92; Sister of Famed Clan Helped Forge Peace in Northern Ireland". The New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2020.

Other websites

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Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
William Henry Gerald FitzGerald
United States Ambassador to Ireland
1993–1998
Succeeded by
Michael J. Sullivan