Jean Kennedy Smith

Jean Ann Kennedy Smith (born Kennedy; February 20, 1928 – June 17, 2020) was an American diplomat, activist, humanitarian, and author. She served as the United States Ambassador to Ireland from 1993 to 1998. Smith was a member of the Kennedy family, being the eighth of nine children of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Kennedy. Her siblings included John F. Kennedy, who served as President of the United States; Robert F. Kennedy, a U.S. Senator from New York; Ted Kennedy, a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts; Rosemary Kennedy; and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics.

Born at St. Margaret's Center for Women and Children in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, Smith was born on February 20, 1928, on her sister Kathleen Kennedy Cavendish's eighth birthday. She was the youngest daughter in her family, with eight siblings. Her full siblings included Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., John F. Kennedy, Rose Marie Kennedy, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Patricia Kennedy Lawford, Robert F. Kennedy, and Ted Kennedy. Smith was described as the most guarded and reserved among her siblings.

She attended Manhattanville College, a Society of the Sacred Heart school located in Purchase, New York, graduating in 1949. During her early life, she was involved in political campaigns supporting her older brother John F. Kennedy, participating in his 1946 congressional campaign, his 1952 U.S. Senate campaign, and his 1960 presidential race. She and her siblings engaged in door-to-door campaign work and on-the-trail activities, emphasizing family cooperation.

In 1956, she married Stephen Edward Smith, a businessman; thereafter, she was known as Jean Kennedy Smith. The couple had two biological sons, Stephen Jr. and William, and adopted two daughters, Amanda and Kym. The Smith family maintained a comparatively low public profile relative to other Kennedy members.

In 1974, Smith founded Very Special Arts (VSA), an organization dedicated to providing arts and education programs for individuals with disabilities, now part of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. VSA has served hundreds of thousands of students across multiple countries. She authored the book "Chronicles of Courage: Very Special Artists," which was published in April 1993.

In 1993, President Bill Clinton appointed Smith as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, extending a diplomatic legacy begun by her father. During her tenure, she played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace process. Notably, she advocated for granting a U.S. visa to Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, which was opposed by the UK but contributed to efforts leading toward the IRA ceasefire in 1994. Her advocacy included persuading Clinton to approve the visa, which Adams used to visit the United States. Her efforts drew both praise and criticism, and she was reprimanded in 1996 by Secretary of State Warren Christopher for retaliating against embassy staff who objected to her recommendations. She also faced allegations regarding the management of the embassy and conflicts of interest, which she settled with a civil payment in 2000.

Smith was awarded honorary Irish citizenship in 1998 by then-President Mary McAleese, for her service. She retired from her ambassador role shortly after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. She received several honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, awarded by President Barack Obama for her work with people with disabilities. She was also inducted into the Irish America Hall of Fame in 2011.

She published her memoir, "The Nine of Us: Growing Up Kennedy," in 2016. Smith died at her home in Manhattan on June 17, 2020, at age 92. She was the last surviving and longest-lived child of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Kennedy.