19 May - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis death anniversary

 

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, commonly known as Jackie Kennedy, was an American socialite, writer, photographer, and book editor who served as First Lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963 as the wife of President John F. Kennedy. She was renowned for her style, elegance, and contributions to the arts and historic preservation.

Early Life and Education

• Born: Jacqueline Lee Bouvier on July 28, 1929, in Southampton, New York.
• Family: Daughter of John Vernou Bouvier III, a stockbroker, and Janet Norton Lee, a socialite.
• Education: Attended Vassar College, studied abroad in France, and graduated from George Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French literature.

Marriage to John F. Kennedy

• Married: John F. Kennedy on September 12, 1953.
• Children: Caroline Kennedy (born 1957) and John F. Kennedy Jr. (born 1960). The couple also had two other children who died in infancy, Arabella and Patrick.

First Lady of the United States

• Tenure: January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963.
• Style and Influence: Jackie Kennedy became a global fashion icon, known for her chic and sophisticated style. She popularized pillbox hats, tailored suits, and A-line dresses.
• White House Restoration: She undertook a major renovation and restoration of the White House, aiming to make it a museum of American history and culture. She established the White House Historical Association and led a televised tour of the newly restored White House.
• Cultural Contributions: Advocated for the arts and historic preservation, and supported initiatives to preserve Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C., and Grand Central Terminal in New York City.

Assassination of John F. Kennedy

• Event: On November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, while riding in a motorcade with Jackie by his side.
• Aftermath: Jackie Kennedy's poise and dignity during the national mourning period earned her widespread admiration. Her iconic pink suit, stained with her husband's blood, became a symbol of the tragic day.

Later Life

• Marriage to Aristotle Onassis: Married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis on October 20, 1968. She was known as Jacqueline Onassis or Jackie O after this marriage.
• Career: After Onassis's death in 1975, Jackie Kennedy Onassis embarked on a successful career as a book editor in New York City, working for Viking Press and later Doubleday.
• Death: Died on May 19, 1994, in New York City from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She was buried beside President Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetery.

Legacy

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis remains an enduring figure in American history, remembered for her elegance, cultural contributions, and the grace with which she navigated the tragedies and public life she faced. Her efforts in historic preservation and her impact on American fashion and style continue to be celebrated.