Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
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Jacqueline Kennedy in India, 1962
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| First Lady of the United States | |
| In office January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963 |
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| Preceded by | Mamie Eisenhower |
| Succeeded by | Lady Bird Johnson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jacqueline Lee Bouvier
July 28, 1929 Southampton, Long Island, New York, United States |
| Died | May 19, 1994 (aged 64) New York City, New York, United States |
| Spouses | John F. Kennedy (1953-1963, his death) Aristotle Onassis (1968-1975, his death) |
| Children | Arabella Kennedy (August 23, 1956, stillborn) Caroline Bouvier Kennedy (born 1957) John F. Kennedy Jr. (1960-1999) Patrick Kennedy (August 7, 1963-August 9, 1963) |
| Parents | John Vernou Bouvier III Janet Norton Lee |
| Education | Vassar College - attended Sorbonne - attended The George Washington University (Bachelor of Arts) |
| Occupation | First Lady of the United States Book editor at Viking Press (1975-1977) Book editor at Doubleday (1978-1994) |
Jacqueline Lee Bouvier "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis (July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994) was a very famous American woman. She was the wife of President John F. Kennedy. She served as the First Lady of the United States from 1961 until his tragic death in 1963. Later, she married a wealthy Greek businessman named Aristotle Onassis. In her later years, she had a successful career working as a book editor.
Contents
Jackie's Early Life and Education
Jacqueline Lee Bouvier was born in Southampton, Long Island, New York. Her father, John Vernou Bouvier III, was a successful stockbroker. Her mother was Janet Norton Lee. Jackie had a younger sister named Caroline Lee Bouvier, who was born in 1933. Jackie's family had roots in Ireland, France, Scotland, and England. Her great-grandfather from her mother's side came from Cork, Ireland. He later became a superintendent for New York City Public Schools.
Jackie spent her early childhood in New York City and East Hampton, Long Island. The family had a large estate there called "Lasata." From a very young age, Jackie was an excellent horse rider. This sport remained a passion for her throughout her life. As a child, she also loved to draw, read, and write poems.
Her parents divorced in 1940. In 1942, her mother married Hugh D. Auchincloss, who was very wealthy. Jackie and her sister moved in with their mother's new family. They split their time between two large estates. One was "Merrywood" in McLean, Virginia. The other was "Hammersmith Farm" in Newport, Rhode Island.
Jackie went to excellent schools like Chapin's and Miss Porter's. She also attended Vassar College. She spent a year (1949-1950) studying in Paris, France, at La Sorbonne. In 1951, she graduated from George Washington University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in French literature. She was also very interested in art, history, and languages.
After college, Jackie worked as a photographer for a newspaper called the Washington Times-Herald. In June 1953, she was sent to London to cover the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Marriage to John F. Kennedy
Jacqueline Bouvier and Congressman John F. Kennedy moved in the same social circles. A friend introduced them at a dinner party in May 1952. At the time, Kennedy was busy running for the U.S. Senate. After he won the election in November, their relationship became more serious. Soon after, he asked her to marry him.
Their wedding took place on September 12, 1953. It was held at St. Mary's Church in Newport, Rhode Island. It was considered the biggest social event of the year. About 800 guests attended the ceremony. A lavish reception followed at "Hammersmith Farm" with 1000 guests.
Despite the glamour, the couple faced personal challenges. John Kennedy had serious health problems that the public did not know about. He suffered from a condition called Addison's disease. He also had severe back pain from a war injury. In late 1954, he had two difficult back surgeries. These operations were very risky and almost cost him his life.
Jackie and John became parents to a daughter, Caroline, born in 1957. They also had a son, John, born in 1960.
Becoming the First Lady
On January 20, 1961, John Kennedy became the 35th President of the United States. At 31 years old, Jacqueline Kennedy became one of the youngest First Ladies in American history. She was young, attractive, and well-educated. She quickly became very popular both in America and around the world. People often simply called her "Jackie."
When she moved into the White House, Jackie was surprised by its condition. She decided to restore the official residence to its original beauty. She created a Fine Arts Committee to help her. They brought in American furniture, paintings, and historical art pieces. She published a booklet about the White House's history to help raise money for the restoration. On February 14, 1962, she hosted a very popular televised tour of the White House. This showed everyone the progress of the work. She also redesigned the White House East Garden, which is now named after her. Thanks to her efforts, several historic buildings in Lafayette Square were saved from being torn down.
On the international stage, Jackie traveled with President Kennedy on official visits. They visited Canada, Europe, Central, and South America. Her knowledge of art, history, and her language skills were very helpful. In March 1962, she made a very successful and well-known goodwill trip to India and Pakistan. Her sister, Lee Radziwill, joined her on this trip.
On November 22, 1963, Jackie was with President Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. They were on a visit before an election. She was seated next to him in an open limousine when he was shot by a sniper. The bravery and grace she showed after this terrible event earned her respect from people all over the world.
Life After the White House
After leaving the White House, Jacqueline Kennedy lived in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. for a while. In late 1964, she moved to New York City with her children. She sometimes attended events to remember her late husband. She also helped plan the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston. She made some semi-official trips to England, Ireland, and Cambodia.
On October 20, 1968, she married Aristotle Onassis. He was a very rich Greek shipping businessman, 23 years older than her. After he passed away in 1975, she moved back to New York City. For the last two decades of her life, she worked as a book editor. She first worked for Viking Press and later for Doubleday. She also played an active role in a campaign to save Grand Central Terminal, a historic train station in New York City.
Her final years were spent quietly, mostly with her family and her longtime companion, Maurice Templesman.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis died of cancer (lymphoma) at her home in New York City. She was 64 years old. She was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. She rests next to President Kennedy, their stillborn daughter, and their infant son.
Images for kids
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Six-year-old Jacqueline Bouvier with her dog in 1935
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Senator John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy on their wedding day, September 12, 1953
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The Kennedys after John's spinal surgery, December 1954
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Kennedy with her husband as he campaigns for the presidency in Appleton, Wisconsin, March 1960
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Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy, André and Marie-Madeleine Malraux, Lyndon B. and Lady Bird Johnson prior to a dinner, May 1962. Jacqueline Kennedy is wearing a gown designed by Oleg Cassini
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With Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Bourguiba
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Kennedy with Charles Collingwood of CBS News during their televised tour of the restored White House in 1962
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John and Jacqueline Kennedy at Christmas 1961
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Jacqueline Kennedy at Vijay Chowk, New Delhi
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Kennedy, still wearing her blood-stained pink Chanel suit, stands alongside Lyndon B. Johnson as he takes the presidential oath of office administered by Sarah Hughes aboard Air Force One
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Family members depart the U.S. Capitol after a lying-in-state service for the President, November 24, 1963
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Onassis in 1985 with the president and first lady, Ronald and Nancy Reagan
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Onassis with Hillary Clinton in 1993
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Onassis's grave at Arlington National Cemetery
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Official portrait of Jackie at the White House. Her pleated linen dress was designed by Irish fashion designer Sybil Connolly.
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Kennedy wearing her pink Chanel suit
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Kennedy at a State dinner on May 22, 1962
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See also
In Spanish: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis para niños
