Why Did JFK Jr.’s “George” Magazine Close? Inside the Publication’s Final Years

**The Rise and Fall of George Magazine: A Legacy of John F. Kennedy Jr.**

In 1995, John F. Kennedy Jr. and his business associate Michael J. Berman embarked on an ambitious venture by launching *George*, a magazine aimed at intertwining political discourse with celebrity culture. The publication aimed to make politics more palatable to the everyday American, blending glamour with governance in a way that had never been seen before.

The first edition, released in September 1995, made a striking debut. It featured supermodel Cindy Crawford dressed as George Washington on the cover, setting a tone that promised a novel approach to political journalism. The magazine quickly gained attention for its eclectic content and high-profile interviews, showcasing celebrities in roles that echoed historical and political figures—a creative strategy designed to engage an audience that often shied away from traditional political commentary.

Despite this promising start, by 1997 the magazine began to encounter significant difficulties, primarily driven by mounting creative and financial tensions between JFK Jr. and Berman. As reported by historian Steven M. Gillon, their partnership deteriorated amid power struggles over the magazine’s direction. The conflict reportedly reached a boiling point when a heated dispute escalated into a physical altercation. Berman departed from *George* later that year, leaving Kennedy to navigate the turbulent waters of the magazine’s management alone.

Tragedy struck in 1999 when JFK Jr. and his wife, Carolyn Bessette, died in a plane crash off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. Following his untimely death, *George* faced a steep decline in both sales and advertising revenue. The magazine continued to struggle, affected not only by the loss of its charismatic founder but also by a shifting advertising landscape and changing reader preferences.

The inception of *George* sprang from JFK Jr. and Berman’s vision to create something that was more than just a political publication; it was intended to be a commentary on modern American life. The tagline “Not Just Politics As Usual” encapsulated their ambition. The magazine’s initial success was propelled by its daring artistic direction and a plethora of celebrity covers that included icons such as Barbra Streisand and Drew Barrymore. However, the underlying tensions between its founders ultimately hindered its potential longevity.

After JFK Jr.’s passing, the magazine’s fortunes shifted once more. Jack Kliger, the newly appointed CEO of Hachette, took over the reins. Initially contemplating the discontinuation of the magazine, Kliger decided to press forward, bolstered by a surge in readership following JFK Jr.’s death. However, this brief resurgence in interest was not sustainable. Kliger acquired JFK Jr.’s stake in the magazine, but when former *George* editor Frank Lalli was appointed as the new head, he steered the magazine’s focus away from celebrity culture and more towards hard news analysis, marking a shift that many readers found unappealing.

Despite the potential renovations, the market was unforgiving. By early 2001, it became evident that *George* was struggling to maintain financial viability. Kliger disclosed that advertising support had dwindled, reflecting a broader downturn in the magazine industry. By January of that year, he announced the final edition of the magazine, a tribute to JFK Jr. that included reprints of impactful interviews from previous issues. Kliger reflected on the magazine’s struggles, noting, “Advertiser support has not been forthcoming. The recent softening of the market has only compounded George’s situation.”

Ultimately, *George* ceased operations less than two years after JFK Jr.’s death. Despite extensive investments intended to keep the magazine afloat, its legacies of creativity and cultural commentary could not withstand the pressures of a volatile market. As Kliger explained, the magazine was often seen through the lens of JFK Jr.’s identity, making it challenging to carve out an independent space in the competitive industry.

The story of *George* embodies the complexities of merging celebrity with serious journalism, a daring experiment that reflected the cultural dialogues of its time. Although the magazine faded from view, it left behind a distinctive legacy, highlighting the potential for political engagement through a more relatable lens. Not only did it serve as a platform for its founder’s ideals, but it also opened up discussions about how political journalism could evolve in an era increasingly captivated by celebrity culture.