Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis was born on July 28, 1929. Educated at Miss Porter's School, Vassar College, and the Sorbonne, she earned a degree in French Literature from George Washington University. After college, Onassis worked as the Washington Times-Herald's "inquiring photographer." In 1952, she met the Democratic senator from Massachusetts, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and a year later the two were married. The Kennedys had two children who grew to adulthood, Caroline, born in 1957, and John, Jr., born shortly after his father's 1960 election as president.
To the role of first lady, Mrs. Kennedy brought her interest in history and her appreciation of the fine and decorative arts. She focussed on restoring the White House rather than merely redecorating her new home. Mrs. Kennedy established a White House fine arts commission, hired a curator, and published the first historic guide to the executive mansion. She used her position and influence to acquire significant antiques for the residence. In 1962, the first lady welcomed the public into the residence by hosting the first televised tour of the White House.
Mrs. Kennedy carried out the more traditional duties of presidential hostess with grace and style. In addition to presiding over state functions at home, she was a successful ambassador to foreign shores. On trips abroad, she proved nearly as popular as the president. Well educated, fashionably dressed, and fluent in their language, she was embraced by the French on a 1961 trip. His wife was so admired there, that President Kennedy quipped at a state dinner, "I do not think it altogether inappropriate to introduce myself . . . I am the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris, and I have enjoyed it." She was also warmly welcomed on a solo goodwill tour to India and Pakistan the following year.
Following President Kennedy's assassination, Jacqueline Kennedy's image was seared into the minds of the American public who, via television, saw her return, blood-stained, to the capital. Mrs. Kennedy's remarkable composure in the days that followed, and her quiet determination to see the slain president buried in an appropriate manor facilitated the collective mourning of the American people.
In 1968, Mrs. Kennedy married shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. After his death in 1975, she embarked on a successful career as an editor in the publishing industry. Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis died in 1994 and is buried beside her first husband in Arlington National Cemetery.
Search the following American Memory collections for more information:
- Search the Today in History Archive on Kennedy to learn more about the president and his administration.
- View the online slide show companion to Jacqueline Kennedy Travels Abroad a new exhibit opening May 27 at the The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts.
- Words and Deeds in American History contains a letter from Jacqueline Kennedy to Toni Frissell discussing Frissell's photographs of the Kennedys' wedding reception.
- Visit the White House Web site and its feature on the Kennedys.
- For images of other first ladies, browse through the subject index of Portraits of the Presidents and First Ladies, 1789-Present. The special presentation Time Line of Presidents and First Ladies lists all of the first ladies of the United States, and the presidents, in chronological order with links to their images.
