Pioneering Pianist and Kennedy Matriarch Joan Bennett Kennedy Dies at 89

Joan Bennett Kennedy, a renowned classical pianist and the first wife of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, passed away on October 8th, 2025 at the age of 89. Born in New York City in 1936, Joan grew up in the suburbs and met Ted in 1957 through his sister, Jean Kennedy. The two married in 1958 when Joan was just 22 years old, and together they had three children - Kara, Ted Jr., and Patrick.

However, Joan's marriage to the youngest Kennedy son was marked by numerous challenges. In 1969, she attended the funeral of Mary Jo Kopechne, who died in a car accident involving Ted. In the years that followed, Joan endured the humiliation of Ted's extramarital affairs and heavy drinking, which often made headlines. Despite the turmoil, Joan embraced the twelve-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous and was candid about her own struggles with alcoholism.

Joan and Ted separated in 1978 and divorced in 1983, but she continued to be known as the long-suffering wife of the Kennedy family. In her later years, Joan's battle to stay sober often made news, including several highly publicized drunk driving incidents. Since being appointed a guardian in the early 2000s, she has lived a quiet life in Boston, staying out of the public eye.