Update 2: Kennedy Wife Died From Hanging. At least she did it when none of the children were home. Suicide is the most selfish thing in the world to do. Leaving those four children with that legacy is shameful and disgusting. Having experienced the aftermath of someone close to me committing suicide, I have no sympathy for anyone who chooses that path. Certainly none when children are left behind.

Update: Reports indicate suicide.

52 years old, and leaves 4 children behind. Just awful. Really, this family is cursed.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s estranged wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy, who had fought drug and alcohol problems, was found dead at the family property Wednesday.

An autopsy for the 52-year-old was scheduled for Thursday, and no cause of death had been released.

In a statement issued by Robert Kennedy Jr.’s chief of staff, the family said Mary Kennedy, an architect, “inspired our family with her kindness, her love, her gentle soul and generous spirit.”
“Mary was a genius at friendship, a tremendously gifted architect and a pioneer and relentless advocate of green design who enhanced her cutting edge, energy efficient creations with exquisite taste and style,” the family said.

The former Mary Richardson, a longtime connection of the Kennedy clan, married Robert Kennedy Jr., a prominent environmental lawyer and the son of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, in 1994. The couple had four children, the youngest born in July 2001. Robert Kennedy Jr. also has two children from a previous marriage.

Mary Kennedy also was a designer and had overseen the renovation of the couple’s home into an environmentally advanced showpiece. Her family cited her devotion to her children in remembering her.
“We deeply regret the death of our beloved sister Mary, whose radiant and creative spirit will be sorely missed by those who loved her,” the family said in a statement issued by attorney Kerry Lawrence, who had represented her in a drunken-driving case. “Our heart goes out to her children who she loved without reservation.”

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8 Comments | Leave a comment
  1. LucyLadley says:

    Suicide is so sad. Family members wish they could have assured their loved one of the love & value they had. I’ll be praying for all the family & friends that loved Mary as they go through the grieving process.

  2. Ayeboots says:

    It’s the curse of the Kennedy clan.

  3. SoCalGal says:

    The Kennedy men are really hard on their women it seems. Of course I’m not blaming RFK Jr. on her suicide as we don’t know the reason for this, but I’m looking at history with my observation. The Kennedy men have been philanderers throughout their history. This is another blight on the family history. May she Rest in Peace.

  4. Trish S says:

    So sad. Mental illness or chemical imbalance in the brain, whatever the cause, is something that needs proper treatment. As a society there is a stigma regarding brain disorders. For example, if the pancreas stops making insulin, or someone is low on vitamin D, you medicinally correct the imbalance. Therapy is important, but sometimes medication is needed. I have had experience with suicide. Sometimes the brain is so flawed that despite all treatments, management of the imbalance(s) isn’t possible. Often people who need meds for mental illness, self- medicate with drugs/alcohol. Each case is unique. Most often people facing mental illness are fighters. It’s a tough road. Environmental factors definitely play a roll and take their toll. Friends and loved ones of people with mental illness are fighting and suffering too. I am praying for all who deal with the often unrelenting conditions of mental imbalance.

  5. geezee says:

    I think it’s the presence of evil chez Kennedy, all the misery & tragedy.

    Suicide says to loved ones: you aren’t worth my staying here. Who can live with that – from a mother, no less? If I think this life is hell, a look into one of my daughters’ eyes makes it heaven, and therefore worth living.

    Selfish, cowardly act…and obviously some mental health issue, depression, etc…

    May she rest in peace and may God have mercy on her soul.

  6. Cutter Bench says:

    Death of a loved one, under the best of circumstances is heart-wrenching, suicide by a loved one however, leaves a chasm that is never filled. God grant her children the grace to walk through this…

  7. AniMel says:

    Four of my friends have succeeded in killing themselves. One was a fellow corrections officer, one was a former bandmate, and the other two were medics whom I worked closely with and deeply respected.

    All four of them had small children. All four of them either asked their ex-partners to come by and leave the kids with a babysitter or wrote letters begging their families not to tell their kids how they died. One even went to a Scottsdale resort to kill himself so nobody in his family would have to find him. This despite the fact that he knew perfectly well that his twin brother would have to identify his body through pictures of his corpse.

    I will never understand that. You know that your kids will be profoundly affected in their most formative years if you commit suicide, yet you do it anyway? I see that as being selfish on an almost malicious level. I know there’s hormonal chemistry involved and I’ve studied it, but no matter how depressed someone gets they still know right from wrong and are capable of reacting to it.

  8. geezee says:

    is Mary the ex kennedy wife who was trying to bar the church granting the husband an annulment? i think it is… cuz he is so catholic, needs an annulment to be able to remarry in the church. his faith obviously means a lot to him…. another kennedy making the church look like a circus. wonder what uncle ted’s up to?

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