American First Lady, wife of US President John F. Kennedy. A socialite, noted public figure in her own right, and publisher, she was married and widowed twice to two of the world’s most powerful men.
Raised with advantage and culture, she became a journalist. She married the young Senator, John F. Kennedy on 12 September 1953. In 1955 she had a miscarriage and in 1956, a still-born baby. On 3 August 1957 her beloved dad died, Black Jack Bouvier. On 27 November 1957, their daughter Caroline was born, and son John on 25 November 1960. On 7 August 1963, their son Patrick was born and lived 39 hours; three months later her husband was assassinated, 22 November 1963 in Dallas, TX.
Mrs. Kennedy’s primary concern was now the welfare of her two children. In early 1964 she moved to New York. She was conversant in four languages and familiar with world travel.
On 20 October 1968 she married Aristotle Onassis, the world’s richest man. The American public were critical, feeling that she should remain an icon of the grieving widow, but she had her children away from the feeding frenzy of the press, with a future that was financially secure. However, she and Onassis had different tastes and drifted apart. He died on 15 March 1975.
Returned to New York, JKO cast about to find fulfilling work, and located in September 1975 with Viking Press for two years as an Assistant Editor. She then moved to Doubleday where she conscientiously brought in prestigious writers, working three days a week.
In approximately 1977 she began a long term, discreet relationship with financier Maurice Tempelsman, who later moved into her 15-room apartment overlooking Central Park.
JKO was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer in January, 1994 and began chemotherapy. Her days were filled with yoga in the morning, walks, family, cultural and philanthropic interests. Unpretentious and private, she was noted for charm, graciousness, kindness and in a word, class.
The end came quickly; she died on 19 May 1994, at 10:15 PM EDT, in New York, surrounded by her beloved people and books at home. She left a post-Onassis fortune estimated at some $200 million and a legacy of grace. She was buried at Arlington cemetery next to John F. Kennedy.
Link to Wikipedia biography