An Unforgettable Wedding: Ethel Kennedy's Nuptials

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An Unforgettable Wedding: Ethel Kennedy's Nuptials

What was the wedding of Ethel Kennedy like?Ethel Kennedy's wedding to Robert F. Kennedy was a major social event, bringing together political figures, celebrities, and members of the Kennedy family.

The wedding took place on June 17, 1950, at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Ethel Kennedy wore a white silk faille gown designed by Ann Lowe, the first African American designer to dress a prominent society figure. The ceremony was officiated by Cardinal Francis Spellman, and the reception was held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

The wedding was a lavish affair, with over 1,200 guests in attendance. The guest list included President Harry S. Truman, Vice President Alben Barkley, and many other political figures. The wedding was also attended by celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Cary Grant.

The wedding of Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy was a major social event that brought together some of the most famous and powerful people in the world. It was a day of celebration and joy, and it marked the beginning of a long and happy marriage.

Wedding of Ethel Kennedy

The wedding of Ethel Kennedy to Robert F. Kennedy on June 17, 1950, was a major social event. Here are six key aspects of the wedding:

  • Date: June 17, 1950
  • Location: St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City
  • Bride: Ethel Skakel
  • Groom: Robert F. Kennedy
  • Officiant: Cardinal Francis Spellman
  • Guests: Over 1,200, including President Harry S. Truman and Vice President Alben Barkley

The wedding was a lavish affair, with a reception at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Ethel Kennedy wore a white silk faille gown designed by Ann Lowe, the first African American designer to dress a prominent society figure. The wedding was a major social event that brought together some of the most famous and powerful people in the world.

Ethel Kennedy was born Ethel Skakel on April 11, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois. She was the daughter of George Skakel, a wealthy businessman, and Ann Brannack Skakel. Ethel attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart in New York City and then went on to study at Manhattanville College. She met Robert F. Kennedy in 1948, and they were married two years later.

The Kennedys had eleven children: Kathleen, Joseph, Robert Jr., David, Courtney, Michael, Kerry, Christopher, Matthew, Douglas, and Rory. Ethel Kennedy was a devoted wife and mother, and she was also active in politics. She was a strong supporter of her husband's career, and she also worked on behalf of many charitable causes.

Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1968, and Ethel Kennedy has remained a widow ever since. She has continued to be active in politics and philanthropy, and she is a respected voice on social issues.

Date

The wedding of Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy took place on June 17, 1950, at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. The date was significant for several reasons:

  • Historical Context: June 17, 1950, fell during a period of great social and political change in the United States. The Korean War had begun the previous year, and the Cold War was heating up. The civil rights movement was also gaining momentum, and the country was on the cusp of major social change.
  • Personal Significance: June 17th was also a significant date for the Kennedy family. Robert F. Kennedy's father, Joseph P. Kennedy, had been appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom on that date in 1938.
  • Symbolic Meaning: The date June 17th has been associated with weddings for centuries. In some cultures, it is considered to be a lucky day to get married.
  • Media Coverage: The wedding of Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy was a major media event. Newspapers and magazines around the world covered the wedding in detail, and it was even featured on the cover of Life magazine.

The date of June 17, 1950, is an important part of the story of Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy's wedding. It is a day that is full of historical, personal, and symbolic significance.

Location

The wedding of Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy took place at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. The choice of location was significant for several reasons:

  • Religious Significance: St. Patrick's Cathedral is one of the most prominent Catholic churches in the United States. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of New York, and it is a popular destination for weddings and other religious ceremonies.
  • Historical Significance: St. Patrick's Cathedral is a historic landmark. It was built in the 19th century, and it is one of the most recognizable buildings in New York City. It has been the site of many important events, including the funerals of several U.S. presidents.
  • Cultural Significance: St. Patrick's Cathedral is a cultural icon. It is a symbol of New York City, and it has been featured in numerous movies, TV shows, and other works of art.
  • Personal Significance: The Kennedy family has a long history with St. Patrick's Cathedral. Joseph P. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy's father, was a parishioner at the cathedral. Robert F. Kennedy himself was baptized at the cathedral, and he attended Mass there regularly.

The choice of St. Patrick's Cathedral as the location for their wedding was a reflection of the Kennedy family's deep Catholic faith and their close ties to New York City.

Bride

Ethel Skakel was born on April 11, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois. She was the daughter of George Skakel, a wealthy businessman, and Ann Brannack Skakel. Ethel attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart in New York City and then went on to study at Manhattanville College. She met Robert F. Kennedy in 1948, and they were married two years later.

  • Family Background: Ethel Skakel came from a wealthy and prominent family. Her father was a successful businessman, and her mother was a socialite. Ethel's family connections gave her access to the upper echelons of society, and she was well-prepared for the life of a political wife.
  • Education: Ethel Skakel was a well-educated woman. She attended exclusive schools and colleges, and she was known for her intelligence and wit. Her education prepared her for a life of public service, and she was a valuable asset to her husband's political career.
  • Personal Qualities: Ethel Skakel was a beautiful and charming woman. She was also kind, compassionate, and intelligent. She was a devoted wife and mother, and she was always supportive of her husband's career. Ethel's personal qualities made her a popular figure in the Kennedy family and in the world of politics.
  • Role in the Wedding: Ethel Skakel played a central role in her wedding to Robert F. Kennedy. She was responsible for planning the wedding, and she chose to have it at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Ethel also chose her own wedding gown, and she looked stunning on her wedding day.

Ethel Skakel was a beautiful, intelligent, and compassionate woman. She was a devoted wife and mother, and she was always supportive of her husband's career. Ethel played a central role in her wedding to Robert F. Kennedy, and she was a key figure in the Kennedy family.

Groom

Robert F. Kennedy was born on November 20, 1925, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was the seventh of nine children born to Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. Robert F. Kennedy attended Harvard College and Harvard Law School. After graduating from law school, he served as an assistant district attorney in Boston. In 1952, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He served in the House for two terms, and then he was elected to the United States Senate in 1960.

Robert F. Kennedy was a rising star in the Democratic Party. He was seen as a potential future president. In 1968, he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination. He won several primaries, but he was assassinated in June 1968, before the Democratic National Convention.

Robert F. Kennedy's wedding to Ethel Skakel in 1950 was a major event. It was a high-profile wedding that brought together some of the most famous and powerful people in the world. The wedding was also a major turning point in Robert F. Kennedy's life. It marked the beginning of his life as a married man and a father. It also marked the beginning of his political career.

The wedding of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel was a significant event in American history. It was a wedding that brought together two of the most famous and powerful families in the world. It was also a wedding that marked the beginning of a new era in American politics.

Officiant

The wedding of Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy was officiated by Cardinal Francis Spellman, the Archbishop of New York. Spellman was a close friend of the Kennedy family, and he had baptized Robert F. Kennedy. Spellman's role in the wedding was a reflection of the Kennedy family's deep Catholic faith.

  • Significance of Spellman's Role

    Cardinal Spellman was one of the most prominent Catholic leaders in the United States. His role as the officiant at the wedding of Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy was a sign of the Kennedy family's close ties to the Catholic Church.

  • Spellman's Relationship with the Kennedys

    Spellman had a close relationship with the Kennedy family. He had baptized Robert F. Kennedy and his siblings, and he had officiated at the weddings of several of the Kennedy children.

  • Catholicism in the Kennedy Family

    The Kennedy family is a devout Catholic family. Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy were both raised in the Catholic faith, and they raised their own children in the Catholic faith.

  • The Wedding Ceremony

    The wedding ceremony was held at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. The ceremony was traditional Catholic ceremony, and it was attended by over 1,200 guests.

The role of Cardinal Francis Spellman as the officiant at the wedding of Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy was a reflection of the Kennedy family's deep Catholic faith. Spellman was a close friend of the family, and he had baptized Robert F. Kennedy. The wedding ceremony was a traditional Catholic ceremony, and it was attended by over 1,200 guests.

Guests

The wedding of Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy was a major social event that brought together some of the most famous and powerful people in the world. Over 1,200 guests attended the wedding, including President Harry S. Truman and Vice President Alben Barkley.

  • Political Significance

    The presence of President Truman and Vice President Barkley at the wedding was a sign of the Kennedy family's political power and influence. The Kennedys were a rising political dynasty, and the wedding was an opportunity for them to solidify their relationships with other powerful politicians.

  • Social Significance

    The wedding was also a major social event. It was covered by the media around the world, and it was seen as a symbol of the glamour and excitement of the Kennedy family. The wedding was a chance for the Kennedys to show off their wealth and status, and it was a major event in the social calendar of the time.

  • Historical Significance

    The wedding of Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy took place at a time of great social and political change in the United States. The country was in the midst of the Cold War, and the civil rights movement was gaining momentum. The wedding was a reminder of the power of the Kennedy family, and it was a symbol of the hope and optimism that many Americans felt for the future.

The presence of over 1,200 guests at the wedding of Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy was a sign of the family's political, social, and historical significance. The wedding was a major event that brought together some of the most famous and powerful people in the world, and it was a reflection of the Kennedy family's status as one of the most prominent families in the United States.

FAQs on Ethel Kennedy's Wedding

Question 1: Who was Ethel Kennedy's first husband?


Answer: Ethel Kennedy was married only once, to Robert F. Kennedy.


Question 2: Where did Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy get married?


Answer: Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy were married at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.


Question 3: Who officiated Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy's wedding?


Answer: Cardinal Francis Spellman, the Archbishop of New York, officiated Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy's wedding.


Question 4: How many guests attended Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy's wedding?


Answer: Over 1,200 guests attended Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy's wedding, including President Harry S. Truman and Vice President Alben Barkley.


Question 5: What was the significance of Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy's wedding?


Answer: Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy's wedding was a major social and political event. It brought together some of the most famous and powerful people in the world, and it was a symbol of the Kennedy family's rising political power.


Question 6: What happened to Ethel Kennedy after Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated?


Answer: After Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1968, Ethel Kennedy remained a widow. She continued to be active in politics and philanthropy, and she raised her eleven children.


Summary: Ethel Kennedy's wedding to Robert F. Kennedy was a major event that brought together some of the most famous and powerful people in the world. It was a symbol of the Kennedy family's rising political power, and it was a major moment in American history.

Transition to the next article section: The wedding of Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy was a major turning point in their lives. It marked the beginning of their life together as a married couple and a family. It also marked the beginning of Robert F. Kennedy's political career.

Conclusion

The wedding of Ethel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy was a major social and political event. It brought together some of the most famous and powerful people in the world, and it was a symbol of the Kennedy family's rising political power.

The wedding was also a turning point in the lives of Ethel and Robert Kennedy. It marked the beginning of their life together as a married couple and a family. It also marked the beginning of Robert Kennedy's political career.

The Kennedys' wedding was a reminder of the power and influence of the Kennedy family. It was also a symbol of hope and optimism for the future of the United States.

Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Wedding Photos of the U.S
Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Wedding Photos of the U.S

See All the Stunning Photos from Robert F. Kennedy's Granddaughter's
See All the Stunning Photos from Robert F. Kennedy's Granddaughter's

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