In August 1999, Anthony Radziwill, a prominent figure in the Kennedy family, passed away from cancer at the age of 40, just weeks after the tragic death of his cousin, John F. Kennedy Jr. This marked a devastating period for the family, who were still grappling with the loss of JFK Jr., his wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and her sister Lauren Bessette, all of whom perished in a plane crash on 16 July 1999, off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard.
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Anthony Radziwill was known not only as a cousin but also as a close friend to JFK Jr., having formed a bond that began in childhood. He was born in Switzerland to Lee Radziwill, sister of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Prince Stanisław Radziwiłł. Raised in the United States, Anthony pursued a successful career in media, studying broadcast journalism at Boston University before working at NBC Sports and later ABC News.
His life took a challenging turn in 1989 when he was first diagnosed with testicular cancer, a health condition that he initially kept private. While he did enter remission for a period, the cancer returned in 1994 in a more aggressive form known as sarcoma. This new diagnosis prompted a series of extensive treatments, including multiple surgeries alongside chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
During an interview, Carole Radziwill, Anthony’s wife, recounted their experience navigating the healthcare system. “We spent six years navigating our healthcare system,” she said, shedding light on the struggles they faced both emotionally and physically. The couple felt compelled to guard his diagnosis, partly due to the stigma surrounding cancer during that time. “It was seen as a death sentence,” Carole acknowledged, leading them to keep the news within a small circle of family and friends.
Despite his health battles, Anthony Radziwill maintained a semblance of normalcy in his professional life. He continued working at ABC until the later stages of his illness, managing to compartmentalise his struggles with cancer and live his life as normally as possible. The couple’s decision to keep his illness largely concealed stemmed from a desire to maintain a sense of control. They functioned within their New York lives on a daily basis, avoiding the weight of the illness when they could.
Tragically, just weeks after the plane crash that killed JFK Jr. and his companions, Anthony succumbed to cancer on 10 August 1999 at New York Presbyterian Hospital. His passing was overshadowed by his cousin’s high-profile death, and the family was left mourning multiple losses within a short span of time. Carole Radziwill recalled the harrowing experience of both bereavements, stating, “I think that the night of the accident I was mourning and grieving for the three of them. Anthony as well because I knew it was just a matter of time.”
In a poignant reflection published on the 20th anniversary of Anthony’s death, Carole recounted their life together. “When I married my husband in 1994, he had a death sentence,” she wrote, capturing the essence of their prolonged fight against his illnesses. Although precise details of those final weeks are fuzzy for her, she vividly remembers Anthony’s resilience in the face of his deteriorating health.
John F. Kennedy Jr. was supportive during Anthony’s lengthy battle with cancer. Their enduring relationship was a source of strength for both men. Carole noted that JFK Jr. made efforts to keep the mood light, using humour as a coping mechanism, as he feared that showing concern might indicate the severity of Anthony’s condition.
As time passed, the impact of Anthony’s illness also reverberated into JFK Jr.’s personal life. Biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli reflected on the strain that Anthony’s health posed on JFK Jr. and Carolyn’s marriage. He suggested that the emotional toll of his cousin’s suffering was significant, complicating relationships within the close-knit family.
Today, the legacy of Anthony Radziwill lives on as part of family history and through ongoing cultural representations, such as FX’s series “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.” This production not only puts a spotlight on JFK Jr. and Carolyn but also reflects on the lives of those who were intimately connected to them, including Anthony, whose story continues to resonate with audiences nearly three decades after his untimely death.