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The Unbreakable Bond And Bitter Divide: A Complete Profile Of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 10 Siblings

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The Kennedy family, America's most enduring political dynasty, is currently navigating one of its most profound and public rifts. As of December 18, 2025, the controversy surrounding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appointment as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Trump administration has intensified the long-standing political divide between him and his ten siblings, many of whom have publicly and vehemently denounced his career choices and political alignment. This extraordinary family drama pits the son of an American icon against a united front of brothers and sisters committed to upholding a different vision of the Kennedy legacy.

The ten siblings of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. represent a diverse blend of public service, business, law, and the arts, yet they share a common thread of fierce loyalty to the Democratic Party and the values of their father, the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy (RFK Sr.). Their collective opposition, which began with his independent presidential bid and culminated in a joint statement of "betrayal" over his recent cabinet role, shines a spotlight on a family history marked by both immense triumph and profound tragedy. This article provides a complete, in-depth profile of the eleven children of RFK Sr. and Ethel Kennedy, examining their lives, careers, and the unprecedented political schism tearing at the heart of the family.

The Eleven Children of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy: A Complete Profile

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the third of eleven children born to Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Kennedy. The family structure is a complex tapestry of political figures, human rights activists, and creative professionals. Below is a complete profile of all ten of his siblings, listed in birth order:

  • Kathleen Hartington Kennedy Townsend (Born July 4, 1951): The eldest of the children, Kathleen is an attorney and politician. She served as the sixth Lieutenant Governor of Maryland from 1995 to 2003, making her the first woman to hold that position. She has been one of the most vocal critics of her brother's political path.
  • Joseph Patrick Kennedy II (Born September 24, 1952): A former Democratic politician, Joseph P. Kennedy II served as a U.S. Congressman for Massachusetts from 1987 to 1999. He is the founder and former president of Citizens Energy Corporation, a non-profit company that provides heating oil to low-income families. He publicly endorsed President Joe Biden over his brother.
  • Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. (Born January 17, 1954): Environmental lawyer, activist, former independent presidential candidate, and current Secretary of Health and Human Services.
  • David Anthony Kennedy (Born June 15, 1955, Died April 25, 1984): David was the fourth child. His life was tragically cut short at the age of 28 when he died of a drug overdose in a Palm Beach hotel.
  • Mary Courtney Kennedy Hill (Born September 9, 1956): Known as Courtney, she is a human rights activist. Her career has included work in the healthcare sector as a Human Resources Director and involvement with various non-profit organizations.
  • Michael LeMoyne Kennedy (Born February 27, 1958, Died December 31, 1997): Michael was a lawyer and activist who worked as the head of the non-profit Citizens Energy Corporation before his brother Joseph. He died tragically at age 39 in a skiing accident in Aspen, Colorado, when he struck a tree while playing a game of "ski football."
  • Mary Kerry Kennedy (Born September 8, 1959): Known as Kerry, she is a prominent human rights activist and the president of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, a non-profit advocacy organization. She has been an extremely outspoken critic of her brother's political decisions, including his views on vaccines and his association with Donald Trump.
  • Christopher George Kennedy (Born July 4, 1963): A businessman, Christopher is the Chairman of Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, Inc., the family's investment firm. He is also the founder and former chairman of Top Box Foods, a non-profit food distribution company.
  • Matthew Maxwell Taylor Kennedy (Born January 11, 1965): Known as Max, he is an author, environmental lawyer, and maritime historian. He also served as an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia. Max was a signatory on the public statement denouncing his brother's political campaign.
  • Douglas Harriman Kennedy (Born March 24, 1967): Douglas pursued a career in journalism, working as a correspondent for Fox News Channel and as a crime reporter for The New York Post.
  • Rory Elizabeth Katherine Kennedy (Born December 12, 1968): The youngest of the eleven children, Rory is an Academy-Award-nominated and Primetime Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker. She was born six months after her father's assassination. Rory has publicly stated her deep concern over her brother's actions, calling his presidential run "dangerous to our country."

The Political Divide: Why RFK Jr.'s Siblings Have Publicly Denounced Him

The public unity of the Kennedy siblings against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s political ambitions is virtually unprecedented in the history of the family. The rift became a national headline during the 2024 election cycle when a joint statement was released by four of his siblings—Kathleen, Joseph P. II, Kerry, and Rory—denouncing his independent candidacy.

Their concerns center on two main issues: his challenge to the Democratic Party and his promotion of anti-vaccine rhetoric and conspiracy theories. The siblings argue that his campaign risked pulling votes away from President Joe Biden, thereby potentially aiding the Republican candidate, Donald Trump.

The situation escalated significantly when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his independent bid and endorsed Donald Trump, subsequently accepting the nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. This move was seen by many of his family members, including Kerry Kennedy and Matthew Maxwell Taylor Kennedy, as a profound "betrayal" of the principles and legacy of their father, Robert F. Kennedy Sr., and his brother, President John F. Kennedy.

Kerry Kennedy, in particular, has been a fierce advocate against her brother's new role, stating publicly that she does not trust him to run a major health agency. The siblings' collective stance underscores a belief that RFK Jr.'s actions are an affront to the family's long-standing commitment to public health, social justice, and the Democratic Party.

The Kennedy Legacy in the Next Generation: Activists, Filmmakers, and Business Leaders

While Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has chosen a controversial path back into the political arena, his siblings have largely dedicated their lives to continuing the Kennedy family’s ethos of public service through non-electoral means. This generation embodies the diverse pursuits of a major American political dynasty, with many focusing on human rights, environmentalism, and social good.

Kerry Kennedy, as the leader of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, champions global causes and works to expose abuses, aligning her work directly with the values of her parents. Similarly, Rory Kennedy has leveraged the power of media, producing over thirty films, including the Academy Award-nominated Last Days in Vietnam, to focus on social issues and historical events.

In the business world, Christopher George Kennedy manages the family's investment firm, Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, Inc., while also maintaining a focus on community through his non-profit Top Box Foods. His brother, Joseph P. Kennedy II, continues to lead Citizens Energy Corporation, providing essential services to underserved communities, a clear continuation of the family's populist focus on economic justice.

Even in tragedy, the family’s prominence remained. The deaths of David Anthony Kennedy and Michael LeMoyne Kennedy brought the intense scrutiny of the "Kennedy curse" back into the national conversation. David's death in 1984 from a drug overdose and Michael's fatal skiing accident in 1997 highlighted the personal struggles faced by members of this highly visible family.

The fact that a majority of the siblings have publicly endorsed President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and have been quick to condemn RFK Jr.'s decisions demonstrates the strength of their shared commitment to the family's traditional political identity. The current conflict is not merely a political disagreement; it is a battle over the soul and direction of the Kennedy family legacy in the 21st century, with the ten siblings standing united against their brother's new role in the Trump administration.

rfk jr siblings
rfk jr siblings

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