Ethel Kennedy, a leading advocate for social justice, has passed away at 96, as her family shared through heartfelt social media posts.
Ethel, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy, died in Boston surrounded by family. Her death closes a life marked by activism, strength, and a deep love for her family.
Her grandson, Joe Kennedy III, announced on Twitter, “She died this morning from complications related to a stroke suffered last week.” Ethel is survived by nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.
Joe said his grandmother was a devout Catholic and found peace in believing she is now with her late husband Robert, her sons David and Michael, daughter-in-law Mary, and grandchildren Maeve and Saoirse, along with great-grandchildren Gideon and Josie.
Her son, Robert Kennedy Jr., also shared his grief on social media, mentioning his mother’s lively personality, saying, “She never lost her fun, humor, and spark.”
Many tributes followed, celebrating Ethel’s extraordinary life. Her niece, Maria Shriver, said, “What a life she led. What a huge family she leaves behind. I’m glad I could laugh with her this summer and share memories.”
Robert Kennedy Jr. shared that his mother, Ethel, often spoke with excitement about reuniting with loved ones who had passed, including her 16 Irish setters, all named “Rusty.”
Tributes continued to pour in, honoring Ethel’s life. Her niece, Maria Shriver, posted a touching message, saying, “What a life she led. What a huge family she created and leaves behind. I’m so glad I could laugh with her this summer and share memories.”
Maria also praised Ethel’s character, calling her fearless, funny, smart, a great athlete, and deeply patriotic. She mentioned how deeply Ethel loved her husband, Robert, who Maria affectionately called “Uncle Bobby.”
Maria highlighted Ethel’s strong faith, adding, “During the tough times, and there were many, she leaned on her faith, just like my own mother.”
After Maria’s tribute, Ethel’s granddaughter, Michaela Kennedy Cuomo, posted a touching photo on her Instagram Story. The image showed her hand holding Ethel’s, which was adorned with a large diamond ring. Set to Taylor Swift’s song “Starlight,” the picture reflected their closeness during Ethel’s final moments.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton also expressed his and Hillary’s condolences. He honored Ethel’s long and impactful life, calling her a “fierce fighter for justice and equality, a warm, wonderful woman, a great mother, and a dear friend.”
Bill fondly remembered Ethel for her personal touch, noting that she sent the “best Valentine’s Day cards ever” to their family. He added, “Hillary and I loved her very much and will always cherish the friendship, kindness, and support she gave us over the years.”
Ethel was born on April 11, 1928, to a wealthy family in Chicago. Her father, George Skakel, built a successful coal business, and the family eventually moved to a large estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, where Ethel grew up with her six siblings.
Ethel Kennedy attended several prestigious schools, starting with the all-girls Greenwich Academy in Connecticut, followed by the Convent of the Sacred Heart in the Bronx, and then Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart. It was at college where she met Jean Kennedy, and they became close friends and roommates. This friendship would eventually change her life forever.
In 1945, at the age of 17, Ethel met Jean’s brother, Robert Kennedy, during a skiing trip at Mount Tremblant Resort in Quebec, Canada. At that time, Robert was dating Ethel’s sister, Patricia Skakel. After that relationship ended, Ethel and Robert began dating, marking the start of their lifelong partnership.
Ethel’s involvement in public life went beyond her marriage to Robert. She became well-known for her strong support of John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign and later, her husband’s successful run for a U.S. Senate seat representing New York.
Ethel Kennedy’s impact was vast, as seen in the numerous tributes and birthday wishes from family and friends. Throughout her 96 years, she was known not only for her strong humanitarian work but also for the deep love she had for those around her. Ethel will be remembered for her enduring legacy of fighting for social justice and her dedication to family. Her compassion, strength, and warm spirit touched countless lives, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
A controversial statement made by an online influencer is that she is “too pretty” to work for the rest of her life.
With a recent TikTok post, well-known influencer Lucy Welcher, who has a sizable online following, started a social media firestorm. The dispute? Welcher said she is “too pretty” to work in a conventional setting.
The Influencer’s Backlash and the Go-Viral Video
Welcher, who is well-known for her opulent lifestyle videos, expressed her dislike of working a regular nine to five job in the now-deleted video. She bemoaned the thought of having to get up early every day and asked herself if her attractive appearance was a match for the grind. Many viewers found offense at this careless comment.
The influencer received a lot of backlash for her post. Welcher came under fire from commenters for being conceited and superficial. They emphasized the value of having a strong work ethic and the erroneous belief that someone’s beauty should absolve them of social responsibility. A user satirically pointed out Welcher’s conceited sense of importance, while another drew attention to the discrepancy between work ethic and attractiveness.
Welcher tried to douse the fires when he saw the outcry. She said she was being unfairly targeted, so she removed the old video and uploaded a new one. She answered online accusations about her lifestyle with a sarcastic response. She refuted rumors that she lived in a home, had expensive automobiles, or earned enormous sums of money.
A Second Opinion: Comedy or Ongoing Debate?
A few days later, Welcher uploaded a “remake” of the original video, as if reveling in the publicity. This time, some viewers took her words as a joke, which resulted in a more positive response. Supporters flocked to the influencer’s defense; some even jokingly agreed with the idea that one’s beauty serves as an excuse to avoid work.
Reimagining of the most despised video I’ve ever created: #SephoraGiveOrKeep #workable #funny
The difficulties with humor on social media are made clear by this episode. Welcher’s initial video didn’t go well because it lacked context. The incident serves as a reminder of how easily messages can be misconstrued while communicating online, emphasizing the importance of being explicit in all communications, even when comedy is included.
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