Caroline Kennedy, an American attorney, author, and diplomat, has an estimated net worth of $250 million as of 2024. Born on November 27, 1957 (age 66), she is the only surviving child of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Over the decades, she has built a distinguished career in law, public service, and philanthropy, alongside her diplomatic roles as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan and Australia.
Who is Caroline Kennedy?
Caroline Kennedy is a prominent public figure known for her contributions to law, education reform, and international diplomacy. As a member of the prestigious Kennedy family, she has maintained an active role in politics and public service, upholding her family’s legacy. She is also a published author, a legal professional, and a philanthropist involved in various social causes.
What is Caroline Kennedy’s Background and Early Life?
Born in New York City on November 27, 1957, Caroline Kennedy grew up in a family that significantly shaped American history. She had two younger brothers, John F. Kennedy Jr. and Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, though Patrick passed away shortly after birth in 1963.
Her early childhood was spent in the White House after her father became the 35th President of the United States in 1961. Following the tragic assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, Caroline’s upbringing was heavily influenced by her mother, Jacqueline Kennedy, and her uncle, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who served as a father figure until his own assassination in 1968. Her mother later remarried Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, leading the family to relocate to Greece for a period.
Where Did Caroline Kennedy Receive Her Education?
Caroline Kennedy attended some of the most prestigious institutions in the United States. Her early education included Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, The Brearley School, and Convent of the Sacred Heart in New York. She later completed high school at Concord Academy in Massachusetts in 1975.
Kennedy earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Radcliffe College at Harvard University in 1980. She then worked as a research assistant in the film and television department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art before pursuing law. In 1988, she obtained her Juris Doctor (JD) from Columbia Law School, further solidifying her expertise in legal matters.
What Has Been Caroline Kennedy’s Career in Public Service?
Kennedy’s career has been marked by significant contributions to education, law, and diplomacy. From 2002 to 2004, she served as the Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships for the New York City Department of Education, where she played a key role in securing private funding for public schools.
She has also been actively involved in various organizations, including:
- Fund for Public Schools (Board of Directors)
- Commission on Presidential Debates
- NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
- Boeing Company (Board Member)
- Kennedy Library Foundation (President)
- Harvard Institute of Politics (Advisor)
Additionally, Kennedy is a member of the New York and Washington, D.C. bar associations, underscoring her legal expertise.
What Are Caroline Kennedy’s Contributions to Politics and Diplomacy?
Ambassador to Japan (2013–2017)
Appointed by President Barack Obama in 2013, Kennedy became the first female U.S. Ambassador to Japan. Her tenure was marked by historical events, including meetings with Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors and her participation in memorial ceremonies. She also presided over the christening of the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) aircraft carrier.
Ambassador to Australia (2022–Present)
In 2022, President Joe Biden appointed Kennedy as the U.S. Ambassador to Australia. Her role involves strengthening diplomatic relations and enhancing security and trade partnerships between the two nations.
What Books Has Caroline Kennedy Written?
In addition to her public service, Kennedy is an accomplished author. Some of her notable works include:
- “In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights in Action” (1991) – Co-written with Ellen Alderman, this book explores landmark Supreme Court cases.
- “The Right to Privacy” (1995) – Another collaboration with Alderman, discussing legal perspectives on privacy rights.
- “A Family Christmas” (2007) – A collection of holiday-themed poems and prose.
- “A Patriot’s Handbook” (2003) – An anthology of American patriotic writings.
- “She Walks in Beauty: A Woman’s Journey Through Poems” (2011) – A poetry collection celebrating women’s experiences.
Kennedy also established the Profile in Courage Award in 1989, honoring public officials who demonstrate political bravery, inspired by her father’s book “Profiles in Courage.”
What is Caroline Kennedy’s Personal Life Like?
Caroline Kennedy has had relationships with high-profile individuals, including Mark Shand and Jonathan Guinness, before marrying Edwin Schlossberg in 1986. Schlossberg is an artist and designer, and the couple met while Kennedy was working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Together, they have three children:
- Rose Kennedy Schlossberg (born 1988) – An actress and filmmaker.
- Tatiana Kennedy Schlossberg (born 1990) – A journalist and environmental writer.
- Jack Kennedy Schlossberg (born 1993) – A lawyer and aspiring politician.
How Has Caroline Kennedy Continued the Kennedy Legacy?
Caroline Kennedy has successfully balanced a career in law, politics, and diplomacy while maintaining a low-profile lifestyle compared to other members of the Kennedy family. Despite personal tragedies, she has remained dedicated to education reform, human rights, and public service.
Her work as a diplomat and political figure keeps the Kennedy legacy alive, ensuring her father’s ideals of courage, public service, and justice continue to shape the world.
Conclusion
With a net worth of $250 million and an influential career spanning law, education, and diplomacy, Caroline Kennedy remains a significant public figure at 66 years old. From her early life in the White House to her current role as U.S. Ambassador to Australia, she has dedicated herself to public service, diplomacy, and literature. Whether through her books, awards, or political endeavors, Kennedy continues to uphold her family’s legacy while making a distinct impact of her own.
