13 Vintage Photos of Robert F. Kennedy with Wife Ethel Kennedy and Their Family

Jason Sargent Friday, June 5, 2026

Stephanie SengweFri, June 5, 2026 at 10:06 AM UTC

Robert F. Kennedy and wife Ethel KennedyCredit: Bettmann Archive/Getty

Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedyvowed never to remarry after his death in 1968, and kept her word.

The couple was introduced by Jean Kennedy while on a ski trip in Quebec back in 1945; he dated for his sister, Patricia, for several years, before the two would grow apart and Bobby and Ethel fell in love instead.

By 1950 Robert and Ethel were husband and wife. The couple would go on to welcome 11 children together (Kathleen, Joseph, Robert Jr., David, Courtney, Michael, Kerry, Christopher, Max, Douglas and Rory).

"We both wanted a lot of children, but there wasn't a huge discussion about it," Ethel told PEOPLE in 2012. "It wasn't a big deal. We were both from big families."

Robert and Ethel were married for 18 years before the U.S. senator was assassinated on June 5, 1968. She was present the night he was shot and by his side when he died the next day, and their youngest, Rory was born six months after Robert's death.

"I'd wake up in the morning and think he was happy in heaven and he had [his late father John F. Kennedy Jr.] — and they were together as they had been together on earth," she told PEOPLE, revealing that her faith helped her with the grief. "I didn't think how I would survive. I knew it would happen but I didn't know how."

Below, see vintage photos of Bobby and Ethel Kennedy together.

01 of 13

Wedding Day

Robert F. Kennedy marries Ethel SkakelCredit: Getty

Robert and Ethel are pictured exiting St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Greenwich, Conn. shortly after saying "I do" on June 17, 1950.

02 of 13

Double Date Time

John F. Kennedy, Ethel Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy and Robert F. KennedyCredit: CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

In 1953, the two political brothers, Robert and John, as well as their spouses Ethel and Jacqueline, were snapped at the beach.

03 of 13

At the Family Compound

Robert and Ethel Kennedy with their kidsCredit: Gilbert E. Friedberg/The Boston Globe via Getty

Robert and Ethel spent some quality time with Bobby, Kathleen and Joseph at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis, Mass. in the fall of 1955.

04 of 13

Quiet Moments

Robert F. Kennedy and wife, Ethel KennedyCredit: Getty

The Kennedys enjoy each other's company while hanging out at their home in 1957.

05 of 13

Family Time

Robert and Ethel with their kidsCredit: Bettmann Archive/Getty

The couple was pictured pushing their kids Joe and Robert on a swing set in this candid shot from 1957.

06 of 13

Behind the Scenes

Robert and Ethel KennedyCredit: CBS via Getty

Robert looked on as Ethel was evidently fascinated by one of the cameras during a visit to the Person to Person set in 1957.

07 of 13

Homely Moments

Robert and Ethel Kennedy with their familyCredit: ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty

In this photo from 1959, the Kennedys are pictured walking the grounds of their McLean, Va. property with their brood.

08 of 13

Up, Up and Away

Robert F. Kennedy and his wife, Ethel, wave from the plane as they embark on a 26-day goodwill tour to Japan, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, the Netherlands, and West Berlin.Credit: Bettmann/Getty Images

The attorney general and his wife waved as they embarked a plane ahead of their globe-circling, 26-day goodwill tour to Japan, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, the Netherlands and West Berlin in 1962.

09 of 13

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