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JFK Jr. Proposal: Carolyn Bessette Said 'I'll Think About It'
28 Feb
Summary
- Carolyn Bessette initially hesitated about JFK Jr.'s 1995 proposal for three weeks.
- JFK Jr. publicly denied their engagement, causing Bessette significant hurt.
- Bessette received two rings, one inspired by Jackie Kennedy's 'swimming ring'.
In 1995, John F. Kennedy Jr. proposed to Carolyn Bessette on Martha's Vineyard, an event now detailed in a limited series and oral histories. Bessette's initial response was not an immediate 'yes,' as she requested approximately three weeks to consider the proposal, stating she would 'think about it.'
This period of hesitation was followed by an infamous public argument, mirroring real-life events. Ultimately, Bessette accepted JFK Jr.'s proposal. She received two engagement rings, one designed in a style similar to Jackie Kennedy's 'swimming ring,' rather than using her mother-in-law's own engagement jewel.
The couple kept their engagement private, but when speculation arose, JFK Jr. publicly denied it. This denial caused Bessette to feel her life would be defined by his world. Despite this early strain, they married in a private ceremony on September 21, 1996, in Georgia.
