Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert F. Kennedy, dies following stroke

( NewsNation ) — Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, has died after complications related to a stroke, her family said Thursday . She was 96.

“It is with our hearts full of love that we announce the passing of our amazing grandmother,” Joe Kennedy III posted on X. “She died this morning from complications related to a stroke suffered last week.”

“Along with a lifetime’s work in social justice and human rights, our mother leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly,” the family’s statement said.

Despite enduring significant loss throughout her life, the Kennedy matriarch remained dedicated to social causes, her faith and her family.

She was by her husband’s side after he was fatally shot in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968. Her brother-in-law, President John F. Kennedy, had been assassinated in Dallas less than five years earlier.

Ethel Kennedy founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights soon after her husband’s death and advocated for causes including gun control and human rights.

“She was a devoted sister-in-law to my mother, a one of a kind aunt to me and my cousins,” Maria Shriver, Kennedy’s niece, wrote on X .

“She was fearless, funny, smart, incredible athlete, patriot, madly in love with my Uncle Bobby, and devoted to making our country better in every way,” Shriver added.

Kennedy had been hospitalized after suffering a stroke in her sleep on Oct. 3. She died Thursday morning, according to her family.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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