Kyle Kennedy, the granddaughter of Robert F. “Bobby” Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, died last month at age 42.
The educator and disability advocate passed away on Sept. 21 at her home in Westwood, Massachusetts, according to her obituary. She was born July 6, 1984, in Washington, D.C., to Victoria Denise Gifford and Michael Kennedy.
Her death marks another chapter in the Kennedy family’s long history of tragedy. Michael Kennedy, Kyle’s father, died in a 1997 skiing accident at age 39. Kyle was just 13 years old at the time.
Kyle’s final years were shaped by a devastating spinal cord injury she suffered in 2020. The injury resulted in long-term paralysis and transformed the course of her life.
Following the injury, she became a vocal advocate for people living with disabilities. Her obituary described her as “a passionate advocate for more equitable elementary education and charter schooling.”
Kyle’s academic background was extensive. She attended Milton Academy before earning a bachelor’s degree in history from Georgetown University. She later obtained a Master of Science in Early Education from Pace University and a Master of Education in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.
After graduating from Georgetown, she worked in New York City as a Teach For America teacher. Her career later expanded into working “with technology companies focused on reforming and improving school curricula” and serving “as a coach for educators working with young students,” her obituary noted.
She is survived by two sons, Conor, 12, and Declan, 10, whom she shared with Liam Kerr. The couple married in August 2012, though the obituary referred to Kerr as her “former husband.”
The pair also had a daughter, Josephine, who was Conor’s twin sister. The infant died just days after her birth.
Kyle’s mother, Victoria Denise Gifford, is the stepdaughter of former “Today” show personality Kathie Lee Gifford. Victoria and Michael Kennedy had two other children besides Kyle: Michael Jr., now 43, and Rory, 38.
Kyle also leaves behind four nieces and nephews.