A new biography delves into the life of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and reveals unsettling details surrounding the tumultuous relationship with his second wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy, who tragically took her own life in May 2012. Isabel Vincent’s upcoming book, *RFK, Jr.: The Fall and Rise*, meticulously recounts the final months of Mary’s life amid their divorce and highlights the painful circumstances surrounding her death.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/mary-richardson-kennedy-2008-040626-4f17bbcc75be4e359f9db8d7dd9cc4d4.jpg)
Mary Richardson Kennedy was discovered hanging in the barn of their Bedford, New York, home by RFK Jr. and a friend shortly after she went missing. A distress call to emergency services was made by him. The medical examiner’s report, which indicated that her fingers were caught between her neck and the noose at the time she was found, has left lingering doubts about her intentions, prompting questions about whether she may have genuinely wished to end her life.
According to the book, Mary’s doctor expressed deep concern regarding this detail, pondering if perhaps she did not intend to die at that moment. In the aftermath of her death, no suicide note was confirmed to have been found, yet a frantic search initiated by her siblings led to a tense confrontation with RFK Jr. According to Vincent, this episode culminated in members of the Richardson family insisting he leave the property, during which Mary’s sister accused him of causing her death.
Throughout the troubled final years of her life, Mary faced overwhelming challenges. Described as bleak, her predicament included a protracted and unwanted divorce, issues related to sobriety following a DUI arrest, and allegations of neglect and abuse levied by RFK Jr. The biography suggests that the emotional turmoil from these events, compounded by perceived isolation from the Kennedy family, escalated her distress.
Vincent notes that Mary did not desire the divorce and was committed to maintaining her role as a mother amid escalating tensions. Reflections in Kennedy’s diaries, which Mary had access to, complicate her understanding of the marriage that had spanned nearly two decades. “She was attempting to reassure herself that she had been married to a chronic philanderer,” Vincent writes.
By the time of her passing, RFK Jr. had entered into a relationship with actress Cheryl Hines, whom he later married. On the subject of this new chapter of his life, Mary felt deep anguish, particularly when Hines began sharing intimate moments with RFK Jr.’s children on social media. This visual portrayal of an evolving family dynamic exacerbated Mary’s emotional suffering, especially as she feared losing custody.
Following Mary’s funeral, she was initially interred next to prominent family members, including Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver, in Saint Francis Xavier Cemetery located in Centerville, Massachusetts. However, just days later, RFK Jr. made the decision to relocate her remains to an unmarked grave situated on the cemetery’s outskirts.
As the book prepares for its release, it aims to shed light on the complex dynamics of the Kennedy family and the circumstances surrounding Mary’s death, which has resonated within public discussions on mental health and suicide prevention. With a focus on honesty and detail, the biography seeks to provide a comprehensive portrayal of Mary’s life, emphasizing the challenges she faced and the broader implications of her story.
*RFK, Jr.: The Fall and Rise* is scheduled for publication on April 14 and is available for pre-order through various book platforms. As the narrative unfolds, it underscores the critical importance of mental health awareness and support for those grappling with similar struggles.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, it is vital to reach out for help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be contacted at 988, offering confidential support at any time.