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The 10 Children Of RFK: A Deep Dive Into Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Siblings And The Political Feud Dividing The Family

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent figure in the American political landscape, is not just a presidential candidate and environmental lawyer; he is one of the 11 children born to the late U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Kennedy. As of December 2025, the focus on the Kennedy family has intensified due to the unprecedented public and political division surrounding RFK Jr.'s independent presidential campaign and his subsequent actions, creating a schism that has drawn global attention to his ten siblings who maintain deep ties to the Democratic party and their family's legacy.

This deep dive explores the lives, careers, and current activities of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s brothers and sisters, highlighting their individual contributions to public service, law, and the arts, as well as the recent, painful public opposition they have voiced against their brother’s political path, a narrative that defines the current state of one of America's most storied political families.

The Complete Biography and Current Focus of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 10 Siblings

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the third of 11 children. His siblings have pursued diverse and impactful careers, often rooted in the same ideals of public service and human rights that defined their parents and uncle, President John F. Kennedy. Their collective bios present a formidable array of political, legal, and humanitarian achievements, making their current disagreement with their brother even more significant.

  • Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (Born 1951): The eldest of the 11 children, Kathleen is a lawyer and politician. She served as the sixth Lieutenant Governor of Maryland from 1995 to 2003, making her the first woman to hold that office. Currently, she is a Research Professor at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University and is a vocal advocate for retirement security and public service.
  • Joseph P. Kennedy II (Born 1952): Joseph followed his father into politics, serving as a U.S. Representative for Massachusetts from 1987 to 1999. His most enduring legacy is the founding of the non-profit Citizens Energy Corporation in 1979, which provides affordable heating oil and other essential services to low-income families across the United States. He remains the Chairman and President of the organization.
  • David Kennedy (1955–1984): David, the fourth child, tragically passed away at the age of 28. His death was part of the series of tragedies often referred to as the "Kennedy Curse."
  • Mary Courtney Kennedy (Born 1956): Known as Courtney, she is a human rights activist and advocate. She has been involved with various non-profit organizations and maintains a private life focused on her family and humanitarian causes.
  • Michael LeMoyne Kennedy (1958–1997): Michael was an attorney and activist who founded the non-profit organization Citizens Energy with his brother Joseph. He was tragically killed in a skiing accident at the age of 39.
  • Mary Kerry Kennedy (Born 1959): Kerry is one of the family's most prominent human rights activists. She is the President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, an organization that champions justice, human rights, and the rule of law globally. Her work focuses on issues like child labor, women's rights, and indigenous land rights, and she is a highly respected figure in the international human rights community.
  • Christopher George Kennedy (Born 1963): Known as Chris, he is a businessman and politician. He is the former chairman of the board of trustees at the University of Illinois and has been involved in real estate development in Chicago.
  • Matthew Maxwell Taylor Kennedy (Born 1965): Known as Max, he is an environmental lawyer, author, and maritime historian. He has authored books such as Danger's Hour and Make Gentle the Life of the World: The Words of Robert F. Kennedy. He is also a strong advocate for environmental protection, aligning with his father's legacy.
  • Douglas Harriman Kennedy (Born 1967): Douglas pursued a career in journalism, working as a correspondent for the Fox News Channel. He has also worked as a crime reporter for The New York Post and The Boston Herald, focusing on investigative reporting.
  • Rory Elizabeth Katherine Kennedy (Born 1968): The youngest of the 11, Rory is an Academy Award-nominated and Primetime Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker. Her extensive body of work, comprising over thirty films, often centers on compelling social issues and historical events, including the 2014 documentary Last Days in Vietnam.

The Unprecedented Political Chasm: Siblings' Public Condemnation

The political career of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has created an open and deep wound within the Kennedy family, a division that became starkly visible with his decision to run as an independent candidate for the U.S. Presidency and his subsequent actions. Several of his siblings have taken the extraordinary step of publicly denouncing his campaign and political stances, framing them as a betrayal of the family's core values and a danger to the country.

The condemnation is rooted in RFK Jr.’s long history of promoting controversial views, particularly his anti-vaccine activism and his association with figures outside the mainstream political establishment.

In a joint statement, four of his siblings—Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Joseph P. Kennedy II, Kerry Kennedy, and Rory Kennedy—voiced their opposition, stating that his independent run was "dangerous to our country." This level of public, unified opposition from such high-profile members of the family is virtually unprecedented in the history of the Kennedy political dynasty. The siblings' primary concern is that RFK Jr.'s campaign could inadvertently damage the Democratic Party and the legacy of their father and uncle, who were defining figures of American liberalism.

Loyalty, Legacy, and the Future of the Kennedy Name

The core of the conflict is a battle over the soul of the Kennedy legacy. The public service careers of RFK Jr.'s siblings—from Joseph P. Kennedy II's work with Citizens Energy Corporation to Kerry Kennedy's global advocacy through Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights—are seen as direct continuations of their father's fight for justice and equality.

Max Kennedy, an author and lawyer, has also publicly implored voters to ignore his brother's political decisions, emphasizing that RFK Jr.'s path does not reflect the values of their father. This internal struggle highlights a painful irony: while all 11 children were raised in an environment steeped in political idealism and a commitment to public good, they have arrived at fundamentally opposed political conclusions.

The Role of Environmentalism and Public Health

Ironically, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his siblings share a common thread of environmental activism. RFK Jr. made his name as a leading environmental lawyer, co-founding the non-profit Riverkeeper and serving as a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). However, his pivot to promoting anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and his subsequent political alignment have overshadowed his earlier environmental achievements, becoming the main point of contention with his family.

For sisters like Kerry Kennedy, whose organization often deals with the impact of misinformation on vulnerable communities, the public health stances taken by their brother represent a direct threat to the humanitarian work the family name is associated with. The siblings have consistently sought to distance themselves from their brother's controversial claims, reinforcing their commitment to science and established Democratic principles.

Life After the Spotlight: The Private Lives of the Kennedy Children

While the political drama unfolds, many of the Kennedy siblings have maintained active, high-impact careers outside of the constant political spotlight. Rory Kennedy continues her work as an acclaimed documentary filmmaker, bringing attention to critical global issues. Douglas Kennedy, the journalist, and Max Kennedy, the author and historian, have focused on their respective careers in media and literature.

The family's private lives, though often touched by tragedy with the deaths of David and Michael, continue to be guided by the matriarch, Ethel Kennedy. The siblings' collective resilience and commitment to their individual causes demonstrate a powerful, enduring sense of duty, even as they navigate the difficult public waters created by their brother's political aspirations. Their unified stance against his campaign is a clear signal that the legacy of their parents and the future of the Kennedy name are paramount, even if it means confronting one of their own.

robert f kennedy jr siblings
robert f kennedy jr siblings

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