John Kerry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Kerry
Kerry in 2021
68th United States Secretary of State
In office February 1, 2013 – January 20, 2017
President	Barack Obama
Deputy	William J. Burns Wendy Sherman (acting) Antony Blinken
Preceded by	Hillary Clinton
Succeeded by	Rex Tillerson
United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate
In office January 20, 2021 – March 6, 2024
President	Joe Biden
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	John Podesta (Senior Advisor)
United States Senator from Massachusetts
In office January 2, 1985 – February 1, 2013
Preceded by	Paul Tsongas
Succeeded by	Mo Cowan
Committee chairmanships Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee In office January 6, 2009 – February 1, 2013 Preceded by Joe Biden Succeeded by Bob Menendez Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2009 Preceded by Olympia Snowe Succeeded by Mary Landrieu In office June 6, 2001 – January 3, 2003 Preceded by Kit Bond Succeeded by Olympia Snowe
66th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
In office January 6, 1983 – January 2, 1985
Governor	Michael Dukakis
Preceded by	Thomas P. O'Neill III
Succeeded by	Evelyn Murphy
Personal details
Born	John Forbes Kerry (1943-12-11) December 11, 1943 (age 81) Aurora, Colorado, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouses	Julia Thorne ​ ​ (m. 1970; div. 1988)​ Teresa Heinz ​ (m. 1995)​
Children	Alexandra Vanessa
Parents	Richard Kerry Rosemary Forbes
Relatives	Forbes family
Alma mater	Yale University (BA) Boston College (JD)
Occupation	Politician diplomat businessman activist
Civilian awards	Presidential Medal of Freedom (2024)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1966–1978
Rank	Lieutenant
Unit	USS Gridley (DLG-21) Coastal Squadron 1
Commands	PCF-44 PCF-94
Battles/wars	Vietnam War (WIA) Operation Sealords
Military awards	Silver Star Bronze Star (with valor) Purple Heart (3) Combat Action Ribbon

John Forbes Kerry (born December 11, 1943) is an American politician and diplomat. He was the top diplomat for the United States, serving as the 68th Secretary of State from 2013 to 2017 under President Barack Obama. Before that, he was a Senator for Massachusetts from 1985 to 2013. More recently, he was the first U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate from 2021 to 2024, working on climate change issues. Kerry was the Democratic candidate for president in 2004, but he lost to President George W. Bush.

Kerry grew up in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. After graduating from Yale University in 1966, he joined the United States Naval Reserve. He served in the Vietnam War as a lieutenant, commanding a Swift boat. He was wounded three times in combat and received three Purple Heart medals. He also earned the Silver Star Medal and the Bronze Star Medal for his bravery. After his military service, Kerry became a strong opponent of the Vietnam War. He spoke out against the war as a leader for the Vietnam Veterans Against the War group.

In 1972, Kerry ran for the United States House of Representatives, but he did not win. He then worked as a radio host and attended law school. In 1982, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. Two years later, in 1984, he was elected to the United States Senate. In 2004, Kerry won the Democratic nomination for president. He chose Senator John Edwards as his running mate. They lost the election to George W. Bush by a small number of votes.

In 2013, President Obama nominated Kerry to become Secretary of State. The Senate approved his nomination, and he served in this role until 2017. As Secretary of State, he worked on peace talks between Israel and Palestine. He also helped negotiate agreements to limit Iran's nuclear program. In 2015, Kerry signed the Paris Agreement on climate change for the United States.

In 2021, Kerry returned to government as the first U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate under President Joe Biden. He left this position in March 2024 to work on Biden's 2024 presidential campaign. In May 2024, President Biden awarded Kerry the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a very high honor.

Early Life and Education (1943–1966)

John Forbes Kerry was born on December 11, 1943, in Aurora, Colorado. He was the second of four children. His father, Richard Kerry, was a U.S. diplomat and lawyer. His mother, Rosemary Forbes Kerry, was a nurse and social activist. John was raised Catholic and served as an altar boy.

When Kerry was seven, his family moved to Georgetown, Washington, D.C. His father became a diplomat in the State Department. Kerry's mother's family, the Forbes family, was very wealthy. A rich great-aunt helped pay for him to attend special boarding schools. These included Institut Montana Zugerberg in Switzerland.

At age ten, Kerry's father worked as the U.S. Attorney for Berlin. When Kerry was twelve, he visited Hitler's bunker and rode through the Brandenburg Gate in the Soviet Occupation Zone. This was a risky thing to do.

In 1957, Kerry was sent back to the U.S. for boarding school. He attended Fessenden School and later St. Paul's School. There, he improved his public speaking and became interested in politics. He started a debate club called the John Winant Society. In 1960, he played bass in a small rock band called The Electras.

In 1962, Kerry went to Yale University to study political science. While at Yale, he briefly dated Janet Auchincloss, who was the half-sister of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Through her, Kerry was invited to go sailing with President John F. Kennedy and his family.

Kerry played soccer, hockey, and lacrosse at Yale. He was also part of the Skull and Bones society. He became a leader in the Yale Political Union, where he debated important issues like the Civil Rights Movement. In 1965, he gave a speech criticizing U.S. foreign policy in Vietnam. He graduated from Yale in 1966.

Military Service (1966–1970)

Joining the Navy

John Kerry joined the United States Naval Reserve in February 1966. He started active duty in August 1966. After training, he became an officer in December 1966. During the 2004 election, Kerry shared his military records.

Kerry asked to serve in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He wanted to command a "Swift boat," which is a small, fast boat used for coastal patrolling. These boats were 50-foot (15 m) long, made of aluminum, and had little armor but many weapons. Kerry thought he would mainly be patrolling the coast. However, his second choice was a river patrol boat, which had more dangerous duties.

Military Awards

On December 2, 1968, Kerry was leading a small boat near Cam Ranh Bay. His crew found Vietnamese men unloading boats. When the men ran away and did not stop, Kerry and his crew fired at their boats and destroyed them. During this event, Kerry was hit by shrapnel in his left arm. This injury earned him his first Purple Heart Medal.

Kerry received his second Purple Heart on February 20, 1969. His boat was hit by a rocket, and shrapnel wounded his left leg. Doctors decided to leave some shrapnel in his leg. Even though he was wounded, Kerry did not miss any time from duty.

Silver Star Award

Eight days later, on February 28, 1969, Kerry earned the Silver Star Medal. He was leading his Swift boat and two others on a mission to destroy enemy boats and bunkers. They faced heavy gunfire from the river banks. Kerry bravely directed his boats to charge the enemy positions. This caused the enemy to run away.

As his boat stopped, a Viet Cong fighter with a rocket launcher appeared. Kerry jumped from his boat to chase the fighter. He killed the fighter and captured his loaded rocket launcher. His commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander George Elliott, recommended Kerry for the Silver Star. Admiral Elmo Zumwalt personally gave Kerry the medal.

Bronze Star Award

On March 13, 1969, Kerry was leading one of five Swift boats on the Bái Háp River. During the mission, a mine exploded near his boat. James Rassmann, a Green Beret advisor on Kerry's boat, was knocked overboard. Kerry's arm was also injured in the explosion.

Kerry quickly returned to the scene and rescued Rassmann, who was being shot at from the water. For his brave actions during this event, Kerry received the Bronze Star Medal for "heroic achievement." He also received his third Purple Heart.

Returning Home

After his third wound, Navy rules allowed Kerry to leave combat duty. He chose to be reassigned as a military aide in Boston, New York City, or Washington, D.C. He served in the Military Sea Transportation Service in Brooklyn. On January 1, 1970, he was promoted to full lieutenant. John Kerry was on active duty in the U.S. Navy from August 1966 to January 1970. He stayed in the Naval Reserve until February 1978.

Anti-War Activism (1970–1971)

After returning to the United States, Kerry joined the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW). This group had about 20,000 members and was known for opposing the war. Kerry took part in the "Winter Soldier Investigation," which looked into U.S. actions in Vietnam. He also appeared in a film about this investigation.

On April 22, 1971, Kerry spoke to a U.S. Senate committee about ending the war. The next day, he joined a protest where veterans threw their medals and ribbons over a fence at the United States Capitol. This was to show their strong opposition to the war. Kerry threw some of his own awards and some given to him by other veterans. He said he was doing it "for peace and justice."

On May 30, 1971, Kerry was arrested during a VVAW march. The veterans were honoring American POWs. They tried to camp on a village green in Lexington. Police arrested 441 protesters, including Kerry, for trespassing. They were later released after paying a small fine. These arrests brought positive attention to the VVAW.

Early Political Career (1972–1985)

1972 Congressional Election

In 1972, Kerry decided to run for Congress in Massachusetts's 5th congressional district. He rented an apartment in Lowell to be eligible. Ten candidates ran in the Democratic primary election. Kerry ran a very expensive campaign with many young volunteers.

On the day before the primary, Kerry's younger brother and campaign director were arrested. They were accused of breaking into a building where telephone lines were located. The charges were later dropped. Despite this, Kerry won the primary election.

In the main election, Kerry was expected to win against Republican Paul W. Cronin. His campaign supported national health insurance and jobs programs. However, a local newspaper, The Sun, strongly opposed him. The paper called him "un-American" and "unpatriotic." It also criticized him for moving into the district just to run for office.

President Richard Nixon's White House even tried to help defeat Kerry. Four days before the election, another candidate dropped out and supported Cronin. Kerry lost the election to Cronin. He later felt that not directly responding to the newspaper's attacks cost him the race.

Law Career

After his 1972 loss, Kerry and his wife bought a house in Lowell, Massachusetts. He worked as a fundraiser for CARE, a humanitarian group. In September 1973, he started attending Boston College Law School. While studying, he hosted a talk radio show.

Kerry earned his law degree in 1976. He then worked as a prosecutor in Middlesex County. In 1977, he was promoted to First Assistant District Attorney. He left this job in 1979 to start his own law firm. Kerry also worked as a TV commentator and co-founded a bakery.

Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts

In 1982, the current Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, Thomas P. O'Neill III, decided to run for governor. Kerry announced he would run for Lieutenant Governor. He won the Democratic nomination. In the general election, the team of Michael Dukakis for Governor and Kerry for Lieutenant Governor won.

As Lieutenant Governor, Kerry led meetings of the Massachusetts Governor's Council. He also worked on environmental issues, such as fighting acid rain.

1984 U.S. Senate Election

In 1984, Senator Paul Tsongas announced he was stepping down due to health reasons. Kerry decided to run for the United States Senate. He won a close primary election.

In the general election, Kerry promised to combine liberal ideas with careful spending. He defeated Republican Ray Shamie. Kerry's win was notable because Republican President Ronald Reagan won the national election by a large margin that year. Senator Tsongas resigned early, and Governor Dukakis appointed Kerry to fill the spot. This gave Kerry more seniority than other new senators.

U.S. Senate (1985–2013)

Iran–Contra Hearings

In 1985, soon after becoming a Senator, Kerry traveled to Nicaragua with Senator Tom Harkin. They met with President Daniel Ortega. Ortega's government was linked to Cuba and the USSR. It was also accused of human rights abuses. The U.S. CIA supported a group called the Contras who opposed Ortega.

Kerry and Harkin spoke to both sides of the conflict. Ortega offered a cease-fire if the U.S. stopped supporting the Contras. The Reagan administration called this a "propaganda initiative." However, Kerry said he was willing to test the offer. The House of Representatives voted against aid for the Contras. But when Ortega accepted a large loan from Moscow, the House later approved more aid.

Meanwhile, Kerry's staff began their own investigations. In October 1985, they released a report. It showed that Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North had set up a secret network. This network used the National Security Council and the CIA to send military equipment to the Contras. Kerry's report accused North and others of illegally funding and supplying armed groups without Congress's approval.

Kerry's findings were a key part of the Iran–Contra affair. North was later found guilty of charges related to this, but his convictions were overturned on appeal.

Working with President Bush's Administration

In 1992, Kerry and Senator Hank Brown released a report called The BCCI Affair. This report was about a corrupt bank called BCCI. The bank was involved with terrorists, including Abu Nidal. The report criticized several U.S. government departments and the CIA.

Some Democrats criticized Kerry for investigating members of his own party. However, Republicans said he should have pushed even harder against some Democrats. The BCCI scandal was later handled by the Manhattan District Attorney's office.

Before Running for President

In 1996, Kerry faced a tough re-election campaign against Governor Bill Weld. This race was watched closely across the country. Kerry and Weld agreed to limit their campaign spending, but both ended up spending more. Kerry won re-election with 52% of the vote.

In the 2000 presidential election, Kerry was considered as a possible running mate for Democratic candidate Al Gore. Gore eventually chose Senator Joe Lieberman.

Afghanistan and Pakistan

A 2011 report said that Kerry had become an important envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan during times of crisis. He made several trips to these countries. After Osama bin Laden was killed, Kerry visited Pakistan. He successfully got Pakistan to return the tail section of the U.S. helicopter that was left behind during the raid. In 2013, Kerry met with Pakistan's army chief to discuss peace talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Voting Record

Overall Voting

Most experts say Kerry's voting record in the Senate was on the left side of the Democratic Party. During the 2004 presidential election, he was often called a strong liberal. In 2003, one group rated him the most liberal Senator. However, this rating was based only on votes from that year. Over his whole career, he was seen as slightly more liberal than the average Democratic Senator. Kerry supported trade agreements like NAFTA but opposed others.

In 1997, Kerry voted against the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. This was because it did not require developing nations like India and China to limit their greenhouse gas emissions. Later, Kerry criticized President Bush for opposing international efforts to fight global warming. In 2008, Kerry voted for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which was a bailout plan.

Iraq

Before the Iraq War, Kerry voted to give President Bush the power to use force against Saddam Hussein. He believed Hussein's weapons of mass destruction were a serious threat. Kerry also said, "We need to disarm Saddam Hussein." However, he warned the administration to try diplomacy first. He said, "It's not winning the war that's hard, it's winning the peace that's hard."

After the invasion, when no weapons of mass destruction were found, Kerry strongly criticized Bush. He said Bush had misled the country.

Libya

In 2011, Kerry supported American military action in Libya.

Leadership Roles

Kerry led the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs from 1991 to 1993. The committee's report said there was "no compelling evidence" that any American soldiers were still alive in Southeast Asia. In 1994, Kerry and fellow Vietnam veteran John McCain sponsored a resolution to end the trade embargo against Vietnam. This helped lead to President Bill Clinton normalizing relations with Vietnam in 1995.

Kerry was also the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee from 1987 to 1989. He was re-elected to the Senate multiple times. In 2009, he became the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, taking over from Joe Biden.

2004 Presidential Campaign

In the 2004 Democratic presidential primaries, John Kerry won against several rivals. His win in the Iowa caucuses helped his campaign gain momentum. He then won many other primary elections. Kerry became the Democratic candidate for president, running against President George W. Bush. On July 6, 2004, he announced that Senator John Edwards would be his running mate.

During his campaign, Kerry often criticized President Bush for starting the Iraq War. While Kerry had initially voted to allow Bush to use force, he later voted against a bill to pay for the war. His statement, "I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it," was used by the Bush campaign to make him seem inconsistent. This may have hurt his chances.

On November 3, 2004, Kerry accepted his defeat. Bush won with 50.7% of the popular vote and 286 electoral votes. Kerry received 48.3% of the popular vote and 251 electoral votes.

Secretary of State (2013–2017)

Nomination and Confirmation

In December 2012, news outlets reported that President Barack Obama would nominate Kerry to be the next Secretary of State. His confirmation hearing was held on January 24, 2013, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This was the same committee where he first spoke in 1971. The committee and the full Senate quickly approved his nomination. Kerry resigned from the Senate on February 1, 2013, to take on his new role.

Time in Office

Kerry was sworn in as Secretary of State on February 1, 2013. He often spoke French in his official duties. After six months of hard work, Kerry helped Israeli and Palestinian negotiators agree to start peace talks in 2013. They met in July 2013 at the State Department.

On September 27, 2013, he met with the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. This was the highest-level direct contact between the U.S. and Iran since 1979. This meeting eventually led to the JCPOA nuclear agreement.

Some people at the State Department felt that Kerry kept to himself and traveled too much. However, polls showed that Americans had high approval ratings for him as Secretary of State. In 2014, a survey of international relations experts ranked Kerry among the most effective U.S. Secretaries of State in the past 50 years.

In January 2014, Kerry met with a Vatican official. They discussed many global issues, including the conflict in Syria. Kerry thanked the Pope for supporting peace efforts in Syria. Kerry also supported Israel's right to defend itself during the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict. He supported the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen because Saudi Arabia was threatened by the Houthis.

In December 2016, Kerry strongly criticized Israel's settlement policies in a speech. This speech received positive reactions from Arab nations.

Syria

After a chemical weapons attack in Syria on August 21, 2013, Kerry became a strong supporter of military action against the Syrian government. He called it a "brutal and flagrant use of chemical weapons."

On September 9, Kerry said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could avoid a military strike if he turned over all his chemical weapons to the international community within a week. This unplanned remark led to a major agreement. Russia took Kerry's statement seriously and worked to convince Syria to give up its chemical weapons. Syria agreed, and by July 2014, Kerry announced that "100 percent of the chemical weapons" had been removed. The UN Security Council also passed a resolution ordering the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons.

Latin America

In November 2013, Kerry gave a speech to the Organization of American States. He said that the era of the Monroe Doctrine was over. He explained that the U.S. now sees other American countries as equals. They should work together on security and shared values.

Environmental Work

In April 2016, Kerry signed the Paris Climate Accords at the United Nations. This agreement aims to fight climate change.

On November 11, 2016, Kerry became the first Secretary of State to visit Antarctica. He spent two days there meeting with researchers. In 1994, Kerry had opposed funding for a certain type of nuclear reactor. However, in 2017, he changed his mind about nuclear power. He said that given the climate challenge, new nuclear technology should be supported.

Global Connect Initiative

In September 2015, the U.S. Department of State started a new program called "Global Connect." Its goal was to provide internet access to over 1.5 billion people worldwide within five years. In 2016, Kerry announced a $171 million investment to help create a wireless internet network in India.

Out of Government (2017–2021)

Kerry left his diplomatic job when the Obama administration ended on January 20, 2017. He did not attend Donald Trump's inauguration. The next day, he joined the 2017 Women's March in Washington, D.C.

Kerry has spoken out against Trump's policies. He joined a legal brief against Trump's order banning entry from certain Muslim countries. In November 2018, Kerry discussed climate change and migration in Europe at an event in London.

On December 5, 2019, Kerry supported Joe Biden's campaign for president. He said Biden would be ready to "put back together the country and the world that Donald Trump has broken apart."

After leaving government, Kerry wrote his memoirs, Every Day Is Extra, which was published in September 2018.

Leaked Audiotape

In April 2021, a leaked audiotape of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was published. In the tape, Zarif claimed that Kerry had told him that Israel attacked Iranian targets in Syria "at least 200 times." Kerry denied this claim, saying it was "unequivocally false."

Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (2021–2024)

On November 23, 2020, President-elect Joe Biden announced that Kerry would become a special envoy for climate. In this role, he would be a key member of the National Security Council. Kerry started this job on January 20, 2021, after Biden became president.

Climate Cooperation with China

In July 2023, John Kerry visited China to discuss climate cooperation. They made progress on topics like reducing methane and China's use of coal. Kerry mentioned the severe 2023 Asia heat wave during his visit.

Climate Cooperation with India

At the end of July 2023, John Kerry visited India. He stated that the U.S. is committed to providing $100 billion for climate action in lower-income countries. He also said that no future U.S. president could back out of climate commitments. He criticized Donald Trump for leaving the Paris Agreement before.

Climate Cooperation with Middle Eastern Countries

In June 2023, Kerry visited Israel, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. In Israel, he stressed the need for climate laws to reach climate goals. They agreed to renew a partnership between Israel and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Israel is working to pass a climate law and catch up with other developed countries.

Departure

On January 13, 2024, it was reported that Kerry would step down as U.S. climate envoy in the spring. He told the Financial Times that he planned to continue working on climate finance. He officially resigned on March 6, 2024.

Personal and Family Life

Family Background

Kerry's grandparents on his father's side, Frederick A. "Fred" Kerry and Ida Löwe, came from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They changed their last name from Kohn to Kerry and converted to Catholicism in 1901. They moved to the United States in 1905. The brother and sister of John Kerry's paternal grandmother died in concentration camps. Kerry did not know about his Jewish background until a reporter told him in 2003.

Kerry's mother's family had Scottish and English roots. His maternal grandparents were James Grant Forbes II of the Forbes family and Margaret Tyndal Winthrop. Through his mother, Kerry is related to French politician Brice Lalonde.

Marriages and Children

Kerry married Julia Thorne in 1970. They had two daughters: Alexandra Kerry (born 1973), a filmmaker, and Vanessa Kerry (born 1976), a doctor.

Julia and Kerry divorced in 1988. Julia later wrote a book about her experience with depression, saying that politics made her feel "anger, fear and loneliness." She remarried and moved to Montana, where she worked with environmental groups. Julia Thorne passed away from cancer in 2006.

Kerry's second wife is Teresa Heinz, a businesswoman and philanthropist. She was the widow of Senator John Heinz. They met at an Earth Day rally in 1990. Senator Heinz died in a plane crash the next year. Teresa has three sons from her first marriage. Heinz and Kerry married on May 26, 1995.

Wealth

In 2004, Forbes 400 estimated Teresa Heinz Kerry's wealth at $750 million. Other estimates have varied. Kerry himself is also wealthy, with money from trusts inherited from his Forbes family relatives. In 2011, his financial report showed his personal assets were between $230 million and $320 million, including his wife's assets.

In April 2017, Kerry bought a large property on Martha's Vineyard for $11.75 million.

Religious Beliefs

Kerry is a Roman Catholic. He has said he considered becoming a priest when he was younger and was very religious. He carried a rosary and a prayer book. He also said he finds similarities in different religions, like the Torah, the Quran, and the Bible.

Health

In 2003, Kerry was treated successfully for prostate cancer. On May 31, 2015, he broke his right leg in a biking accident in France. He was flown to a hospital in Boston for surgery and recovery.

Sports and Hobbies

Kerry is an "avid cyclist" and enjoys long-distance bike rides. He has also been a snowboarder, windsurfer, and sailor. In 2010, it was reported that Kerry bought a new $7 million yacht. He later said he would voluntarily pay taxes on it in Massachusetts.

Honors

John Kerry has received several awards:

National Awards

• Presidential Medal of Freedom (2024)

Foreign Awards

•  Germany: Grand Cross 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
•  France: Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour

Honorary Degrees

John Kerry has received several honorary degrees from universities:

State	Date	School	Degree
Massachusetts	May 28, 1988	University of Massachusetts Boston	Doctor of Laws
Massachusetts	June 17, 2000	Northeastern University	Doctor of Public Service
Ohio	May 2006	Kenyon College	Doctor of Laws
Massachusetts	May 19, 2014	Boston College	Doctor of Laws
Connecticut	May 18, 2017	Yale University	Doctor of Laws

Images for kids

• 

  John Kerry's signature

See also

In Spanish: John Kerry para niños

• List of foreign ministers in 2017