Conor Kennedy, son of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Brazilian pop star Giulia Bourguignon Marinho celebrated their wedding with a multi-day event in Rio de Janeiro earlier this month. Although the couple legally married in March, the festivities took place from October 8 and included a range of cultural and religious ceremonies reflecting both families' backgrounds.
The celebrations began with a blessing at the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, followed by a ceremony at the historic Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo da Antiga Sé, a gilded Catholic church in the city. A reception at a historic mansion in the Jardim Botânico neighborhood rounded out the three-day event. The couple embraced Brazilian traditions, including entertainment from samba dancers, highlighting Marinho’s cultural roots. Giulia, 27, performs under the stage name Giulia Be and is the daughter of Paulo Marinho, a businessman involved in Brazilian politics and a former supporter of Jair Bolsonaro who later backed Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the 2022 election.
The wedding brought together prominent figures from two politically influential families. Conor Kennedy, 32, is not only the son of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but also the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy Sr., the former U.S. Attorney General who was assassinated in 1968. The Kennedy family’s historical association with American politics is well recognized, with the late President John F. Kennedy’s administration often referred to as “Camelot.” However, the choice of Rio de Janeiro over the traditional Kennedy family estate in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, underlined the couple’s preference for a vibrant, Brazilian-style celebration rather than honoring the Kennedy family’s traditional venues.
Despite the joyous occasion, some tensions remain within the extended Kennedy family. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent political decisions have created divisions; he dropped his own presidential bid and endorsed former President Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 U.S. election. This shift prompted public condemnation from several of his siblings, who criticized his political move as a betrayal of longstanding family values. Additionally, Caroline Kennedy, a cousin, publicly expressed concerns regarding his character prior to his confirmation as health secretary.
Photographs shared on social media showed the couple and their families together during the ceremonies, with Kennedy’s parents, Cheryl Hines and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Marinho’s parents, Paulo and Adriana Marinho—who is also her manager—appearing prominently. The festive atmosphere was heightened by traditional Brazilian music, dance performances, and distinctive fashion choices, including multiple dresses worn by the bride over the weekend.
While some members of the Kennedy family were visibly present, others did not attend, reflecting the complex dynamics within one of America’s most storied political dynasties. The wedding ultimately blended elements of both families’ heritages, showcasing a union not only of two individuals but also of diverse cultural and political backgrounds.