Kerry Kennedy’s Family, Children, Relationships, and Friends Explained

Kerry Kennedy is best known for her commitment to human rights, her strong family values, and her close relationships with friends. Throughout her life, she often found strength and purpose through these connections, supporting both her personal and professional work.

Family Connections and Background

Kerry Kennedy was born in 1959 in Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up in a large family as the seventh of eleven children of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy. Raised in a household with a focus on public service, she experienced early loss and responsibility.

Her father, Robert F. Kennedy, was a U.S. Senator and a presidential candidate. Mc Kennedy lost her father when she was young, which shaped her view on activism and justice. Her mother, Ethel Kennedy, also became widely known for her charitable work.

Kerry was married to Andrew Cuomo, who later became Governor of New York. The two wed in 1990. Their marriage took place at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, D.C. They had three daughters: twins Cara Ethel and Mariah Matilda, born in 1995, and Michaela Andrea, born in 1997—all biological children.

Andrew Cuomo is a public figure and politician. Kerry remained active in her role as a mother, fostering a close connection with her children.

Name	Relation	Birth Year
Robert F. Kennedy	Father	1925
Ethel Kennedy	Mother	1928
Cara Ethel Cuomo	Daughter	1995
Mariah Matilda Cuomo	Daughter	1995
Michaela Andrea Cuomo	Daughter	1997

Relationships Over the Years

Kerry Kennedy married Andrew Cuomo in 1990, after meeting in the late 1980s at a political function. Andrew Cuomo, an American of Italian descent, worked in public affairs and later became the Governor of New York. Their marriage lasted until 2003.

The couple’s relationship received public attention, partly due to their prominent families and careers. Differences and challenges led to their separation and eventual divorce in 2003. After their divorce, both continued to focus on their careers and their children.

There are no known reports of Kerry Kennedy having had any other public romantic relationships outside of her marriage to Andrew Cuomo.

Name	Relationship Type	Time Period
Andrew Cuomo	Ex-Husband	1990–2003

Friends and Support Networks

Kerry Kennedy keeps a wide circle of friends, many from her activism, writing career, and public service. Her friendships often began through shared advocacy and work on human rights campaigns. She has collaborated with other activists, writers, and politicians.

Notably, she has longstanding friendships with members of the Kennedy family, who share her passion for public service. She also became friends with fellow Amnesty International activists and authors. These connections offer support, advice, and inspiration in personal and professional matters.

Her friends come from varied backgrounds but share a common interest in social justice. Most of these friendships have lasted, rooted in mutual respect and a shared commitment to causes that matter to them.

Name	Known Since	Profession
Ethel Kennedy	1959	Philanthropist
Mariel Hemingway	2000s	Actress/Activist
John Prendergast	2000s	Human Rights Activist