The Tragic Tale Of Arabella Kennedy: A Forgotten Chapter In The Kennedy Legacy
Let’s talk about one of the most iconic families in American history—the Kennedys. We all know about JFK's presidency, his charisma, and the wealth that surrounded the family. But there’s a story that often gets overlooked. Despite experiencing five pregnancies, John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jackie, only had two children who survived. Let me introduce you to Arabella Kennedy, the couple’s first daughter, whose life was tragically cut short before it even began.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key Insights
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) was the 35th president of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963.
- Arabella Kennedy is buried next to her parents at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, USA.
Arabella Kennedy’s Profile Summary
Full Name | Arabella Kennedy |
Gender | Female |
Date of Birth | August 23, 1956 |
Date of Death | August 23, 1956 |
Birthplace | Newport, Rhode Island, USA |
Burial Place | Arlington, Virginia, USA |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Irish and French ancestry |
Parents | John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis |
Siblings | Caroline, John Jr., and Patrick |
The Story Behind JFK’s Daughter, Arabella Kennedy
The love story of JFK and Jackie Kennedy began at a dinner party where they were introduced by a mutual friend. They tied the knot on September 12, 1953, in Rhode Island. While Jackie considered herself a mother to five children, only two of them made it past infancy. The Kennedys faced heartbreak time and time again, but their resilience never wavered.
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The Birth of Arabella Kennedy
Jacqueline Kennedy's first pregnancy in 1955 ended in heartbreak when she lost the child during the first trimester. But the couple didn’t give up. By the following year, Jackie was pregnant again. This time, things seemed promising as she carried the baby into the second trimester. However, on August 23, 1956, Jackie was rushed to the hospital due to severe bleeding. Tragically, the baby, who Jackie would later name Arabella, was stillborn. It was a devastating blow to the young couple, but it only strengthened their resolve to keep trying.
JFK’s Heartfelt Reaction to Arabella’s Passing
When news of Arabella’s death reached John Kennedy, he was on a yacht in the Mediterranean. His friend George Smathers urged him to return home, warning that his absence could harm his political career. Despite the pressure, JFK knew he needed to be by his wife’s side during this difficult time. He rushed back to Jackie, showing just how much their bond meant to him. It’s moments like these that remind us of the humanity behind the headlines.
You better return home to your wife if you ever want to run for president.

Arabella Kennedy’s Final Resting Place
Arabella was initially laid to rest at a Catholic cemetery in Rhode Island. After JFK’s assassination, Jackie moved Arabella’s remains to Arlington National Cemetery, where she and her husband would eventually be buried. Jackie never officially documented the child’s name, and it remains unclear whether JFK was even aware of it. The grave is simply marked with the word “Daughter,” a poignant reminder of the life that could have been.
Arabella’s Siblings: The Kennedy Children
Despite their struggles, the Kennedys continued to try for more children. On November 27, 1957, Caroline Bouvier Kennedy was born, bringing joy to the family. Two weeks after John was elected president in 1960, the couple welcomed their first son, John Kennedy Jr. However, the infant was born prematurely and suffered from respiratory issues. Despite undergoing a tracheostomy at birth, JFK Jr. tragically passed away in a plane crash at the age of 38.
In 1963, Jackie was pregnant again. This time, she went into labor five and a half weeks early via emergency cesarean section. The baby, named Patrick, struggled with respiratory distress syndrome and passed away just 39 hours after being born. In editing Arthur Schlesinger’s book, “A Thousand Days,” Jackie confirmed that they had five children in ten years, a testament to their enduring love and hope.

The Assassination of JFK
On November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated during a political trip to Dallas, Texas. The alleged shooter, Lee Harvey Oswald, was arrested but denied involvement. Days later, Oswald was shot and killed by Jack Ruby, who later succumbed to cancer in 1967. To this day, numerous conspiracy theories surround JFK’s tragic death, keeping his legacy alive in the hearts of many.
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Who Stepped In After JFK’s Death?
Following JFK’s assassination, his vice president, Lyndon Baines Johnson, became the 36th president of the United States. Johnson served from 1963 to 1


