Is the Kennedy curse real—or just a myth we can’t let go of?
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Few families in American history have drawn as much fascination as the Kennedys.
With their charm, political power, and influence, they were often dubbed America’s “royal family.”
But for every triumph, there seemed to be an equally devastating tragedy—losses so frequent and so striking that many began to wonder if the family was cursed.
From war and illness to shocking assassinations and accidents, the Kennedy story has been marked by sorrow as much as success.
But is it really fate—or just the harsh spotlight of history?
A dynasty built on ambition and shadowed by loss
The Kennedy rise began with Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., who dreamed of creating a lasting political dynasty.
His children—John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Ted Kennedy—each shaped American politics in profound ways.
But alongside their successes came heartache, beginning with the misfortunes of their siblings and continuing through the next generations.
Also read: Is RFK Jr. in trouble? Over 1,000 health insiders demand his resignation
A timeline of tragedy
The events tied to the so-called curse are difficult to ignore:
Also read: Trump orders release of more JFK Files: Will long-held secrets be unveiled?
Why people believe in the curse
Skeptics argue that the Kennedy tragedies can be explained without superstition.
The family is large, wealthy, and high-profile—meaning more opportunities for both risk and scrutiny.
Adventurous lifestyles, combined with political prominence, raised the chances of both accidents and violence.
Yet the sheer number and high visibility of these events makes them feel uncanny, fueling the “curse” narrative.
Even Ted Kennedy once admitted wondering aloud if an “awful curse” hung over the family.
Also read: What the CIA didn’t want you to know: Unveiling the secrets in the newly released JFK files
The power of myth
Stories of cursed families go back to ancient mythology, and the Kennedys fit the pattern: extraordinary success shadowed by repeated misfortune.
Believing in a curse can help people make sense of the randomness of tragedy. It also underscores a truth that even those with wealth, privilege, and influence are not immune to hardship.
Also read: Ethel Kennedy’s Passing: The End of an Era for Human Rights Advocacy
Resilience in the face of sorrow
Despite decades of loss, the Kennedy family remains active in public service, advocacy, and philanthropy.
Many descendants continue to hold office, push for social change, and honor the family’s legacy.
In the end, their resilience may be as defining as the tragedies that have shaped their story.
Read next: Millions of Americans are losing their hair—here's what you need to know
Do you believe in the so-called Kennedy curse, or do you see the tragedies as the result of chance and circumstance? Where were you when JFK was shot, or when news of JFK Jr.’s crash broke?
Share your thoughts, memories, and theories in the comments—the Kennedy saga continues to resonate deeply with America.
With their charm, political power, and influence, they were often dubbed America’s “royal family.”
But for every triumph, there seemed to be an equally devastating tragedy—losses so frequent and so striking that many began to wonder if the family was cursed.
From war and illness to shocking assassinations and accidents, the Kennedy story has been marked by sorrow as much as success.
But is it really fate—or just the harsh spotlight of history?
The Kennedy family, long hailed as America’s “royalty,” has faced decades of triumphs and tragedies. Image Source: YouTube / See U in History / Mythology.
A dynasty built on ambition and shadowed by loss
The Kennedy rise began with Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., who dreamed of creating a lasting political dynasty.
His children—John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Ted Kennedy—each shaped American politics in profound ways.
But alongside their successes came heartache, beginning with the misfortunes of their siblings and continuing through the next generations.
Also read: Is RFK Jr. in trouble? Over 1,000 health insiders demand his resignation
A timeline of tragedy
The events tied to the so-called curse are difficult to ignore:
- 1941: Rosemary Kennedy, the eldest daughter, underwent a lobotomy at her father’s urging. The procedure left her permanently incapacitated and hidden away for most of her life.
- 1944: Joe Kennedy Jr., the heir apparent, was killed when his plane exploded during a WWII mission.
- 1948: Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy died in a plane crash, just years after her husband was killed in combat.
- 1963: The family lost infant Patrick Kennedy, followed months later by President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas.
- 1968: Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated while running for president, just five years after his brother’s death.
- 1969: Ted Kennedy’s car accident at Chappaquiddick ended Mary Jo Kopechne’s life and derailed his own presidential hopes.
- 1973: At age 12, Ted Kennedy Jr. lost a leg to bone cancer but survived.
- 1984: David Kennedy, RFK’s son, died of a drug overdose at 28.
- 1997–1999: Michael Kennedy died in a skiing accident; John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn, and her sister Lauren perished in a plane crash near Martha’s Vineyard.
- 2000s–2010s: Kara Kennedy, daughter of Ted, died of a heart attack at 51; Saoirse Kennedy Hill, granddaughter of RFK, died of an overdose in 2019.
Also read: Trump orders release of more JFK Files: Will long-held secrets be unveiled?
Why people believe in the curse
Skeptics argue that the Kennedy tragedies can be explained without superstition.
The family is large, wealthy, and high-profile—meaning more opportunities for both risk and scrutiny.
Adventurous lifestyles, combined with political prominence, raised the chances of both accidents and violence.
Yet the sheer number and high visibility of these events makes them feel uncanny, fueling the “curse” narrative.
Even Ted Kennedy once admitted wondering aloud if an “awful curse” hung over the family.
Also read: What the CIA didn’t want you to know: Unveiling the secrets in the newly released JFK files
The power of myth
Stories of cursed families go back to ancient mythology, and the Kennedys fit the pattern: extraordinary success shadowed by repeated misfortune.
Believing in a curse can help people make sense of the randomness of tragedy. It also underscores a truth that even those with wealth, privilege, and influence are not immune to hardship.
Also read: Ethel Kennedy’s Passing: The End of an Era for Human Rights Advocacy
Resilience in the face of sorrow
Despite decades of loss, the Kennedy family remains active in public service, advocacy, and philanthropy.
Many descendants continue to hold office, push for social change, and honor the family’s legacy.
In the end, their resilience may be as defining as the tragedies that have shaped their story.
Read next: Millions of Americans are losing their hair—here's what you need to know
Do you believe in the so-called Kennedy curse, or do you see the tragedies as the result of chance and circumstance? Where were you when JFK was shot, or when news of JFK Jr.’s crash broke?
Share your thoughts, memories, and theories in the comments—the Kennedy saga continues to resonate deeply with America.
