Ted Kennedy’s ex-wife Joan Bennett Kennedy has passed away: 5 facts about Joan Bennett Kennedy
8 october 2025 в 19:13
Joan Bennett Kennedy, best known as the former wife of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, passed away in October 2025. She was 89 years old. After divorcing Ted in the 1980s, the musician and advocate later lived a life away from the spotlight. However, as a former member of the extensive Kennedy family, she remains a recognizable name.
Below, Hollywood Life has gathered five facts about Joan, her marriage to Ted, and her life.
Joan and Ted separated in 1978, but officially divorced in 1981. Their divorce was finalized in 1983.
The former couple’s marriage was marred by Ted’s extramarital affairs and Joan’s alcohol problems, which arose from living under the microscope.
Joan was open about her struggles with alcohol. After splitting from Ted in 1978, she told People magazine about her battle with alcoholism.
«Sometimes I drank to feel less inhibited, to relax at parties», - she told the publication at the time. «Other times I drank to forget about unhappiness, to drown my sorrows».
A year later, Joan openly spoke about the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. «Staying sober is hard», - she admitted to the publication in 1979. «But today I am sober, and that’s all that matters. I work on my recovery one day at a time».
Joan and Ted raised three children: Kara, Ted Jr., and Patrick Kennedy. Ted Jr. had bone cancer in childhood and had to have part of his leg removed to fight the disease. Kara was diagnosed with lung cancer in the early 2000s and passed away from a heart attack in September 2011 at the age of 51.
Although she was drawn into the world of politics because of her marriage to Ted, Joan was a talented pianist and expert in classical music. She published a book, «The Joy of Classical Music: A Guide for You and Your Family», - and taught music to children.
After her split from Ted, Joan never remarried, and she attended his funeral in 2009. The late senator passed away from a brain tumor in August of the same year.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1−800−662-HELP (4357)
Below, Hollywood Life has gathered five facts about Joan, her marriage to Ted, and her life.
Joan and Ted separated in 1978, but officially divorced in 1981. Their divorce was finalized in 1983.
The former couple’s marriage was marred by Ted’s extramarital affairs and Joan’s alcohol problems, which arose from living under the microscope.
Joan was open about her struggles with alcohol. After splitting from Ted in 1978, she told People magazine about her battle with alcoholism.
«Sometimes I drank to feel less inhibited, to relax at parties», - she told the publication at the time. «Other times I drank to forget about unhappiness, to drown my sorrows».
A year later, Joan openly spoke about the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. «Staying sober is hard», - she admitted to the publication in 1979. «But today I am sober, and that’s all that matters. I work on my recovery one day at a time».
Joan and Ted raised three children: Kara, Ted Jr., and Patrick Kennedy. Ted Jr. had bone cancer in childhood and had to have part of his leg removed to fight the disease. Kara was diagnosed with lung cancer in the early 2000s and passed away from a heart attack in September 2011 at the age of 51.
Although she was drawn into the world of politics because of her marriage to Ted, Joan was a talented pianist and expert in classical music. She published a book, «The Joy of Classical Music: A Guide for You and Your Family», - and taught music to children.
After her split from Ted, Joan never remarried, and she attended his funeral in 2009. The late senator passed away from a brain tumor in August of the same year.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1−800−662-HELP (4357)
© Kolganov Andrey
