Ethel Kennedy Hospitalized After Suffering Stroke, Family Announces

Ethel Kennedy , the widow of Robert F. Kennedy Sr. , is in a hospital recovering from a stroke ... the famous family announced.

Ethel suffered the stroke in her sleep last Thursday and was taken to a hospital, where she's getting care and is surrounded by family ... according to a statement Tuesday from Joe Kennedy III .

The Kennedys say Ethel is "comfortable" ... but they are asking for thoughts and prayers.

The 96-year-old enjoyed a great summer and start of fall, spending time with her children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandkids, getting out on the water and going out to eat in the weeks and months before suffering the stroke ... the family says.

Ethel has 11 kids, including Kathleen , Joe and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ... and she's the sister-in-law of former President John F. Kennedy .

She was pregnant when RFK was assassinated while running for president in 1968 and never remarried.

A year after RFK's assassination, Ethel founded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights nonprofit in his honor.

Ethel is also a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Freedom ... she was presented with the nation's highest honor for a civilian back in 2014, when Barack Obama was President.