Joan Bennett Kennedy, the former wife of the late U.S. Senator Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy, has died at the age of 89.
Her death was confirmed by members of the Kennedy family on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
The cause of death was not immediately disclosed, but family sources said she passed away in Boston, Massachusetts, surrounded by loved ones.
Born September 2, 1936, in New York City, Joan Bennett Kennedy was a classically trained pianist, author, and former model.
She married Edward Kennedy in 1958, and the couple had three children; Kara, Edward Jr., and Patrick Kennedy, a former U.S. Representative from Rhode Island.
Joan Kennedy became a well-known public figure during her husband’s decades-long Senate career, often appearing alongside him at political events and charitable functions.
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After their divorce in 1982, she maintained a low public profile but remained a respected member of the Kennedy family circle.
She faced several health challenges in her later years, including a long battle with alcoholism, which she discussed openly as part of broader advocacy for addiction awareness and recovery.
Joan Kennedy was widely admired for her poise, grace, and devotion to her family, even amid public and personal difficulties that often placed her in the media spotlight.