Kerry Kennedy, author and activist, has published a new biography chronicling the life of her mother, Ethel Kennedy. The book, titled *Ethel Kennedy: The Extraordinary Life and Bold Legacy*, offers a detailed account of Ethel’s journey from her unconventional upbringing to her prominent role in American political history.

Born Ethel Skakel in 1928, Kennedy’s mother grew up in a family that transformed from modest beginnings to considerable wealth during her early childhood. The family’s move to Greenwich, Connecticut, marked a cultural shift that set them apart socially, a dynamic Kerry Kennedy describes as reminiscent of “the Beverly Hillbillies,” highlighting their comfort with being outsiders in a privileged environment.

The biography traces Ethel Kennedy’s life through her marriage to Robert F. Kennedy, her public role as a political spouse, and the profound impact of her husband’s assassination in 1968. Following his death, Ethel assumed responsibility for preserving the Kennedy family legacy and went on to establish the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights. Her influence and contributions were widely recognized at the time of her passing in 2024, with eulogies delivered by Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton.

Kerry Kennedy reflects on her mother’s resilience after Robert Kennedy’s murder. At 40 years old and pregnant with her youngest child, Ethel maintained stability for her 11 children, balancing family duties and supporting them through grief without retreating from life’s challenges. Her faith, as described by Kerry Kennedy, was a cornerstone of her strength and perspective, providing a foundation in belief and forgiveness that shaped how she approached her many roles.

The biography is grounded in extensive research, including access to personal letters, notably from Rose Kennedy, Ethel’s mother-in-law, as well as an unfinished memoir manuscript written by Ethel herself. This primary material allowed Kerry Kennedy to incorporate her mother’s own voice throughout the book.

In discussing her mother’s legacy, Kerry Kennedy emphasizes Ethel’s partnership with her husband and her evolution into a highly empowered woman following his death. She underscores the enduring relevance of Ethel’s example, particularly her confident rejection of limitations. “She just thought she could do anything,” Kerry Kennedy said, adding that her mother’s story challenges the self-doubt that can hold people back today.

Kerry Kennedy is scheduled to present a reading from the book at 6 p.m. on Monday, October 19, at the Brattle Theatre.