Joan Kennedy was an American socialite, author, and advocate who was known as the first wife of U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy.

Joan Kennedy Biography
Full Name | Virginia Joan Bennett |
Nickname | Joan Kennedy |
Profession | Socialite, author, and advocate |
Date of Birth | 2 September 1936 |
Age | 89 years (at the time of death in 2025) |
Birth Place | New York City, New York, USA |
Nationality | American |
Hometown | New York City, New York, USA |
Gender | Female |
Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
Ethnicity | White |
Religion | Christianity |
Education Qualification
School | Not known |
College | Manhattanville College, Purchase, New York Lesley University |
Education Qualification | MA in education |
Joan Kennedy Age
Joan Kennedy was born on 2 September 1936 in New York City, New York, United States. She was 89 years old at the time of her death in 2025, and her zodiac sign was Virgo.
Joan Kennedy Wife
Marital Status | Divorced |
Affairs/Boyfriend | Ted Kennedy |
Spouse/Wife | Ted Kennedy (m. 1958, div. 1983) |
Children | Son – Edward Jr., and Patrick II Daughter – Kara (died in 2011) |
Joan Kennedy Family
Father’s Name | Henry Wiggin Bennett Jr. |
Mother’s Name | Virginia Joan Stead |
Brother’s Name | None |
Sister’s Name | Candace Bennett |
Joan Kennedy Book
- 1992 – The Joy of Classical Music: A Guide for You and Your Family
Joan Kennedy Height And Weight
Height (approx) | In centimeters – 185 cm In meters – 1.85 m In feet & inches – 6’1” |
Weight (approx) | In kilograms – 68 kg In pounds – 150 lbs |
Eye Colour | Brown |
Hair Colour | Blonde |
Joan Kennedy Death, Cause of Death
Date of Death | 8 October 2025 |
Place of Death | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
Cause of Death | Not known (mostly natural) |
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Joan Kennedy Net Worth
Net Worth (approx) | $15-20 million (At the time of death in 2025) |
Annual Income (approx) | Not known |
Salary (approx) | Not know |
Income Source | Business, investment, etc |

Some Lesser Facts About Joan Kennedy
- Joan Kennedy was born and grew up in New York City, New York, with her younger sister, Candace.
- She was raised in a Roman Catholic family, to Virginia Joan Stead and Harry Wiggin Bennett Jr.
- Her father was a graduate of Cornell University and was president of the Joseph Katz Company.
- In 1982, she received an MA in Education from Lesley College, now known as Lesley University.
- As a teenager, Joan Kennedy worked as a model in television advertising.
- Jean Kennedy Smith introduced Joan to her younger brother Edward (aka Ted), then a student.
- Her daughter Kara died of a heart attack at the age of 51 on September 16, 2011.
- Apart from a brief relationship shortly after her divorce, she never remarried or pursued another relationship.
- She had a book published called The Joy of Classical Music: A Guide for You and Your Family in 1992.
- Joan Kennedy was a sister-in-law to John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy.
- She was active in helping children’s charities, continued to be a skilled pianist, and also taught classical music to kids.
- Joan Kennedy died at her home in Boston on October 8, 2025, at the age of 89.
FAQ:
How old was Joan Kennedy?
At the time of her death in 2025, Joan Kennedy was 89 years old.
Who was Joan Kennedy’s husband?
Joan Kennedy was married to Ted Kennedy from 1958 to 1983.
What was Joan Kennedy’s net worth?
As of 2025, Joan Kennedy’s estimated net worth is $15-20 million.
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.