Joan Bennett Kennedy

Virginia Joan Kennedy (née Bennett; September 2, 1936 – October 8, 2025) was an American socialite, singer, author, and model. She was the first wife of U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy.

In July 1969, Ted Kennedy was involved in a car accident at a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts that resulted in the death of his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne. Although pregnant and confined to bed in the wake of two previous miscarriages, Joan attended Kopechne's funeral. Three days later, she stood beside her husband in a local court when he pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident. She suffered a third miscarriage soon afterwards.

In 1992, she published the book The Joy of Classical Music:  A Guide for You and Your Family. Kennedy worked with children's charities, was an accomplished pianist and taught classical music to children.

Kennedy died at her home in Boston, Massachusetts on October 8, 2025 from problems caused by dementia at the age of 89.

References

Category:1936 births
Category:2025 deaths
Category:Kennedy family
Category:American autobiographers
Category:American philanthropists
Category:Models from New York City
Category:Writers from New York City
Category:Singers from Massachusetts
Category:Deaths from dementia