Inspirational Woman Of The Day: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy (July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994) was the wife of the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, and served as First Lady during his presidency from 1961 until his assassination in 1963.

She is remembered for her contributions to the art and refurbishment of the White House. During her husbands short lived presidency, she was a great asset helping to gain the admiration of the press and public opinion.

Short Bio Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

She was born in New York to a wealth stockbroking family. Her family were rich, Catholic and Republican. Though when she met her future husband John, she was willing to switch political allegiances, taking little interest in actual political ideologies.

She gained a degree in French Literature from the George Washington University, in Washington D.C. During the degree she spent a year in France. After graduating she was hired as a photojournalist for the Washington Times-Herald. She was also a leading light of the local social circles attending many high profile social engagements. It was at such dinner parties that she met then senator John F Kennedy. They shortly became engaged and married in 1953 in Newport, Rhode Island.

Shortly after her marriage, Jacqueline suffered a miscarriage and then her first daughter was born still born. She had another three children, the last of whom died aged just two years old. Her two children who survived into childhood were Caroline Bouvier Kennedy and John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

In 1960, John F. Kennedy ran for presidency. Jacqueline did not play an very active role in his campaign because she was pregnant during the election. But, she did support her husband from her home by answering letters and giving interviews for TV and newspapers.

After a hard fought campaign, John F Kennedy won the narrowest of elections, becoming the youngest Presidents of the modern era. Jacqueline was also the youngest first lady and she helped bring a refreshing glamour to the Whitehouse. She became responsible for organising social events and she took great interest in refurbishing the White House, trying to give a greater sense of history to the famous building.

In a highly popular TV programme, Jacqueline invited TV cameras for a guided tour of the White House. This proved a great public relations exercise and the video was sent to over 100 countries boosting support for America in the cold war.

Her social charm and grace endeared herself to the public and also visiting leaders. For example, when the Russian Premier, Khrushchev visited he made a point of wanting to shake the hand of Jacqueline before her husband.

In 1961, the Kennedy’s made a very popular visit to France. Jacqueline was in her element as she could speak French and her sense of fashion and charm (especially her pillbox hats) endeared her to the French public and the French leader Charles de Gaulle. At the end of his visit, John F. Kennedy wryly remarked:

I do not think it altogether inappropriate to introduce myself to this audience. I am the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris, and I have enjoyed it.

Jacqueline had stolen the show, but, the visit was definitely helpful for the overall image of the Kennedy presidency.

In the summer of 1963, the couple suffered the loss of another child – Patrick. He was born prematurely and died two days after birth. This was a devastating event which brought the couple closer together.

However, it was in November 22nd that Jacqueline’s life was forever changed by the assassination of her husband, John F Kennedy on a open car tour of Dallas, Texas. Her stoicism and dignity in the light of the shocking tragedy was a defining image of this traumatic event in American history.

Following the assassination she retreated from public view. Trying to maintain a private life with her children. In 1968, John’s brother Robert was assassinated. This was another traumatic event because she had been close to Robert helping his campaign. She also feared for the safety of her children in America. With this in mind, she decided to marry the wealthy Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis – despite being 20 years her senior.

The marriage was not greeted with much enthusiasm. In fact, Jacqueline endured a rare bout of public criticism. After the marriage she was also hounded by paparazzi photographers which caused her much distress.

In 1975, Aristotle died, leaving Jacqueline a widow for the second time. She spent some time working for a publisher. She also campaigned for the arts and preservation of American heritage.

She died in May 1994 from a form of Cancer. She left an estate valued at $200 million, to her two children Caroline and John.