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Joan Kennedy, the former wife of Sen. Edward “Ted” Kennedy, died at the age of 89 on Wednesday.
Her son, Patrick Kennedy, and his wife, Amy, confirmed Joan’s death in a statement. Joan’s marriage to the Lion of the Senate was fraught with scandal and public scrutiny thanks to her husband’s infidelity and lifestyle. She divorced Kennedy in 1983.
“Mrs. Kennedy was a classically trained pianist, an advocate for mental health and addiction recovery, and a quiet pioneer in publicly addressing challenges with alcoholism and depression at a time when few others would,” the couple said.
“Her courage and candor helped break stigma and inspired others to seek help and healing. Her impact on the arts, mental health advocacy, her beloved Boston community, and the nation will be remembered by many,” the statement added.
Ted Kennedy and wife Joan Kennedy circa 1971 in New York City. (Tom Wargacki/WireImage)
Joan Kennedy had three children with her husband, and she stood by him through arguably the most severe scandal of his career, the Chappaquiddick accident. In 1969, he plunged his car off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island, killing his young female passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne.
Kennedy was able to swim to safety, however, and waited hours before contacting police. He later pleaded guilty to charges of fleeing the scene of a crash.
Joan Kennedy smiles following an interview in Boston, Dec. 5, 1979. (AP Photo/Dave Tenenbaum, file)
Joan’s estrangement from her husband was nearly impossible to hide by the time of his unsuccessful effort to defeat President Jimmy Carter in the 1980 Democratic primaries. They had been separated by then, and would divorce three years later. One bumper sticker from the campaign read “Vote for Jimmy Carter, Free Joan Kennedy.”
Joan Kennedy arrives for the premiere of a movie at the Museum of Science in Boston, Oct. 1, 1984. (AP Photo/Sean Kardon, File)
The Associated Press contributed to this report
This is a developing story. Check back soon for updates.
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