A handwritten letter from John F. Kennedy to his former Swedish mistress, Gunilla von Post, is currently available for sale through RR Auction, drawing renewed attention to their relationship more than seven decades later. The note, penned on United States Senate letterhead, dates back to June 1955 and contains a personal message that reflects the urgency of Kennedy’s communication with von Post.
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In the letter, Kennedy reveals his upcoming travel plans, stating, “I am coming to Stockholm,” and expresses a desire to meet her. He urges von Post to “write to me right away as I shall be leaving for Europe in 2 weeks.” Notably, the correspondence indicates he was hoping to reconnect shortly after their paths had crossed in Europe in the summer of 1953.
The note, which is estimated to fetch over $30,000 at auction, reveals not only the domestic affairs of a future president but also hints at the complexities of his personal life during a critical period. Kennedy signed off the letter simply as “Jack,” using a familiar and casual tone, which adds a layer of intimacy to the correspondence.
Kennedy’s letter, written in a somewhat hurried script, also congratulates von Post on her engagement to Anders Ekman, indicating he was aware of significant developments in her life. His message concludes with his contact information, underscoring his wish to maintain a connection despite the constraints of their respective circumstances.
Gunilla von Post and Kennedy met while he was travelling in Europe just before his marriage to Jacqueline Bouvier. Their relationship apparently continued intermittently over the years, and von Post later disclosed details about their affair in her 1997 memoir, “Love, Jack.” During an interview with ABC News, she recounted feelings of excitement upon receiving Kennedy’s letter but also noted the societal implications of engaging with a married man.
The urgency expressed in Kennedy’s letter has drawn specialist attention. Bobby Livingston, the executive vice president of RR Auction, remarked upon the compelling nature of the correspondence. He stated, “What makes this one so compelling is the urgency—‘Write to me right away,’ he says on Senate letterhead, arranging a reunion in Europe with a woman whom he met just months before marrying Jacqueline Kennedy.”
Kennedy’s personal correspondence often hints at his ambition and the intricate web of his romantic entanglements. For many, the life of the young senator is a tale marked by both political aspirations and complex personal relationships. The letter is part of a larger collection called Remarkable Rarities, which will conclude its auction on March 26.
Von Post passed away in 2011 at the age of 79, but her reflections on her affair with Kennedy keep their story alive in public consciousness. In her retrospective interviews, she shared details of the emotional bond that endured through the years, including a heartfelt account of a week they spent together at an old castle in Sweden.
The article of the letter, accompanied by the original envelope addressed in Kennedy’s handwriting, underscores a piece of history that speaks to the personal side of one of America’s most prominent political figures. As auction enthusiasts await bidding to conclude, the letter serves as a poignant reminder of the private intersections between public life and personal relationships in the narrative of John F. Kennedy.