"I'll be a wife and mother first, then First Lady." Jackie KennedyEarly Life//Family
July 28, 1929 in Southampton New York Jacqueline Lee Bouvier was born to John Vernon Bouvier III and his wife, Janet Lee. In her early life she spent years between New York City and East Hampton, Long island, where she learned to ride horses almost as soon as she could walk. (whitehouse.gov) She spent summers on an estate of her paternal grandparents called Lasata, an Indian word meaning peace, (http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jbk.htm)in East Hampton where she became an accomplished equestrienne competing with her favorite horse Danseuse, meaning “female dancer” in French. (en.wikipedia)
Jackie’s father who was nick named “Black Jack”, was a playboy stockbroker whose womanizing led to his eventual divorce from Janet when Jackie was a young girl. Janet re-married to Hugh D.Auchincloss, Jr. an heir of Standard Oil. (en.wikipedia) She had two kids with him, Jackie’s half siblings Janet Jennings and James Auchincloss.
Education
Jacqueline was educated through the best of private schools.
1935-1942 The Chapin School - New York City- Kindergarten and grammar school
1942-1944 Holton Arms School - Bethesda, Maryland- grammar school and first year of high school.
1944-1947 Miss Porter's School - Farmington, Connecticut- High School
1947-1949 Vassar College - Poughkeepsie, New York- Freshman and Sophomore years of College
1949-1950 University of Grenoble and the Sorbonne- Paris, France -Junior year abroad program through Smith College
1950-1951 George Washington University- Washington, D.C. - 4th year of college. Graduated with a B.A in French Literature
1954 Georgetown University- Georgetown, Washington D.C. American History Continuing Education Classes
July 28, 1929 in Southampton New York Jacqueline Lee Bouvier was born to John Vernon Bouvier III and his wife, Janet Lee. In her early life she spent years between New York City and East Hampton, Long island, where she learned to ride horses almost as soon as she could walk. (whitehouse.gov) She spent summers on an estate of her paternal grandparents called Lasata, an Indian word meaning peace, (http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jbk.htm)in East Hampton where she became an accomplished equestrienne competing with her favorite horse Danseuse, meaning “female dancer” in French. (en.wikipedia)
Jackie’s father who was nick named “Black Jack”, was a playboy stockbroker whose womanizing led to his eventual divorce from Janet when Jackie was a young girl. Janet re-married to Hugh D.Auchincloss, Jr. an heir of Standard Oil. (en.wikipedia) She had two kids with him, Jackie’s half siblings Janet Jennings and James Auchincloss.
Education
Jacqueline was educated through the best of private schools.
1935-1942 The Chapin School - New York City- Kindergarten and grammar school
1942-1944 Holton Arms School - Bethesda, Maryland- grammar school and first year of high school.
1944-1947 Miss Porter's School - Farmington, Connecticut- High School
1947-1949 Vassar College - Poughkeepsie, New York- Freshman and Sophomore years of College
1949-1950 University of Grenoble and the Sorbonne- Paris, France -Junior year abroad program through Smith College
1950-1951 George Washington University- Washington, D.C. - 4th year of college. Graduated with a B.A in French Literature
1954 Georgetown University- Georgetown, Washington D.C. American History Continuing Education Classes
She was dubbed “the Debutante of the year”, which is French for “female beginner” from an upper class family who has reached the age of maturity and is introduced to society at the formal presentation known as her “coming out”(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debutante) , for the 1947-1948 season amazingly enough her social success did not keep her from her education. Jackie traveled extensively, and she spent her junior year in France before graduatuing from Geoerge Washington University. These expierences left her with great empathy for people of forgien countries, especially the French. (whitehouse.gov)
First Job
In 1951 Jacqueline took her first job as the “inquiring camera girl” for The Washington Times-Herald. Her job was to ask witty questions of the people she met in Washington D.C. One of Jackie’s subjects for this assignment was a young Massachusetts Senator named John F. Kennedy. (en.wikipedia) Who just so happened to be the most eligible bachelor in the capital. (whitehouse.gov)
Before The Kennedy Marriage
Jackie was engaged to a stockbroker, John Husted, in December 1951. She traveled to New York City from Washington to meet Husted while they were dating. While in New York City she stayed in the apartment of her father, “Black Jack” Bouvier, who liked Husted. However, this engagement was called off in March 1952, at the advice of her mother, Janet, who felt Husted who made $17,000/year was not affluent enough despite his family being on the social register. (en.wikipedia)
Kennedy Marriage
In 1951 Jacqueline took her first job as the “inquiring camera girl” for The Washington Times-Herald. Her job was to ask witty questions of the people she met in Washington D.C. One of Jackie’s subjects for this assignment was a young Massachusetts Senator named John F. Kennedy. (en.wikipedia) Who just so happened to be the most eligible bachelor in the capital. (whitehouse.gov)
Before The Kennedy Marriage
Jackie was engaged to a stockbroker, John Husted, in December 1951. She traveled to New York City from Washington to meet Husted while they were dating. While in New York City she stayed in the apartment of her father, “Black Jack” Bouvier, who liked Husted. However, this engagement was called off in March 1952, at the advice of her mother, Janet, who felt Husted who made $17,000/year was not affluent enough despite his family being on the social register. (en.wikipedia)
Kennedy Marriage
"I don't think there are any men who are faithful to their wives." Jackie Kennedy
John and Jacqueline’s romance had progressed slowly and privately, but their wedding at Newport in 1953 attracted nationwide publicity. (whitehouse.gov) September 12, 1953, is the date of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy. The wedding took place at Newport, Rhode Island. (en.wikipedia) The marriage had problems arising from John F. Kennedy's alleged affairs and his debilitating health issues, both of which were hidden from the public. Jacqueline spent much of her time and money early in their marriage redecorating their home and shopping for clothes. With marriage she had to adapt herself to the new role of wife to one of the country’s most energetic political figures. Her own public appearances were highly successful, but limited in number. (whitehouse.gov)
First Lady 
"The one thing I do not want to be called is First Lady. It sounds like a saddle horse." Jackie Kennedy
To the role of first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy brought beauty, intelligence, and cultivated taste. She devoted much time and study to making the White House a museum of America history and decorative arts as well as a family residence of elegance and charm. (whitehouse.gov) She was one of the youngest First Ladies in history. (en.wikipedia) First Lady was a title Jackie was not comfortable with. She said it sounded like the name of a saddle horse. Instead she asked to be addressed as "Mrs. Kennedy".(en.wikipedia) When she was asked before she went into the White House what she felt was the major role of the First Lady, she said, “I think the major role of the First Lady is to take care of the President so that he can better serve the people." (en.wikipedia) She added that "if you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever
else you do well matters very much.” (whitehouse.gov)
else you do well matters very much.” (whitehouse.gov)
Children
John and Jackie Kennedy had 4 children total. While there is only one surviving child today, Caroline Bouvier Kennedy. Arabella Kennedy was a still born, buried beside her brother Patrick Bouvier Kennedy who died 2 days after his birth of hyaline membrane disease, which is now more commonly called respiratory distress syndrom. She gave birth by caesarian section to John F. Kennedy Jr. two weeks after his father’s election. (en.wikipedia)
While she did not mind giving interviews or being photographed, she was worried about the effect it would have on her children. Jackie was determined to protect them from the press and give them a normal childhood. She allowed very few photographs to be taken of them and yet when she was gone, the President would let the White House photographer to take pictures of the children.(en.wikipedia)
John and Jackie Kennedy had 4 children total. While there is only one surviving child today, Caroline Bouvier Kennedy. Arabella Kennedy was a still born, buried beside her brother Patrick Bouvier Kennedy who died 2 days after his birth of hyaline membrane disease, which is now more commonly called respiratory distress syndrom. She gave birth by caesarian section to John F. Kennedy Jr. two weeks after his father’s election. (en.wikipedia)
While she did not mind giving interviews or being photographed, she was worried about the effect it would have on her children. Jackie was determined to protect them from the press and give them a normal childhood. She allowed very few photographs to be taken of them and yet when she was gone, the President would let the White House photographer to take pictures of the children.(en.wikipedia)
The Assassination
"Now, I think that I should have known that he was magic all along. I did know it - but I should have guessed that it would be too much to ask to grow old with and see our children grow up together. So now, he is a legend when he would have preferred to be a man" Jackie KennedyJackie was seated next to her husband in the limousine when he was shot and killed in Deadly Plaza After the President was hit, Jacqueline climbed out of the back set and crawled toward the Secret Service agent who was at the back. The Presidential party was rushed to Parkland Hospital where the President was pronounced dead. After his death she refused to remove her blood-stained clothing, and regretted having washed the blood off of her face and hands, as she prepared to accompany his body back to Washington on Air Force One reportedly saying "Let them see what they have done" She continued to wear the famous stained pink suit as she stood next to Johnson on board the plane when he took the oath of office as President. The funeral service was held for the president at St. Matthew’s Cathedral. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery and Jackie was the first to light the eternal flame at the grave site. The London Evening Standard reported: “Jacqueline Kennedy has given the American people ... one thing they have always lacked: majesty." Following the assasintation she stepped back from the officail public view. She made a brief apperance in Washington to honor the Secret Service agent, Clint Hill, who had climbed aboard the limousine in Dallas to try and sheild her and the president.(enwikipedia)
"He didn't even have the satisfaction of being killed for civil rights. it had to be some silly little Communist." Jackie Kennedy
Onassis Marriage
October 20, 1968 Jacqueline and Aristotle Onassis, a Greek Shipping tycoon,on Skorpios, Greece. Four and a half months earlier her brother-in-law was assasintated in Los Angeles. At that point, Jacqueline feared that the Kennedy’s were being “targeted”, and that she and her children had to leave the United States. Marriage to Onassis appeared to make sense: he had the money and power to give her the protection she needed, while she had the social cachet he craved. For a time, the marriage brought her adverse publicity and seemed to tarnish the image of the grieving presidential widow. However, others viewed the marriage as a positive symbol of the "modern American woman" who would not be afraid to look after her own financial interests and to protect her family. The marriage initially seemed successful, but stresses soon became apparent. The couple rarely spent time together. Though Onassis got along with Caroline and John, Jr. (his son Alexander introduced John to flying; coincidentally, both would die in plane crashes), Jacqueline did not get along with step-daughter Christina Onassis. She spent most of her time traveling and shopping. (en.Wikipedia)
Onassis was in the early stages of filing for divorce when he died on March 15, 1979; Jacqueline was with her children in New York. Her legacy was severely limited by a rumored prenuptial agreement and by legislation that Onassis had allegedly persuaded the Greek government to approve, which limited how much a non-Greek surviving spouse could inherit. Jacqueline eventually accepted Christina's offer of $26,000,000, waiving all other claims to the Onassis estate.
(en.wikipedia)October 20, 1968 Jacqueline and Aristotle Onassis, a Greek Shipping tycoon,on Skorpios, Greece. Four and a half months earlier her brother-in-law was assasintated in Los Angeles. At that point, Jacqueline feared that the Kennedy’s were being “targeted”, and that she and her children had to leave the United States. Marriage to Onassis appeared to make sense: he had the money and power to give her the protection she needed, while she had the social cachet he craved. For a time, the marriage brought her adverse publicity and seemed to tarnish the image of the grieving presidential widow. However, others viewed the marriage as a positive symbol of the "modern American woman" who would not be afraid to look after her own financial interests and to protect her family. The marriage initially seemed successful, but stresses soon became apparent. The couple rarely spent time together. Though Onassis got along with Caroline and John, Jr. (his son Alexander introduced John to flying; coincidentally, both would die in plane crashes), Jacqueline did not get along with step-daughter Christina Onassis. She spent most of her time traveling and shopping. (en.Wikipedia)
Onassis was in the early stages of filing for divorce when he died on March 15, 1979; Jacqueline was with her children in New York. Her legacy was severely limited by a rumored prenuptial agreement and by legislation that Onassis had allegedly persuaded the Greek government to approve, which limited how much a non-Greek surviving spouse could inherit. Jacqueline eventually accepted Christina's offer of $26,000,000, waiving all other claims to the Onassis estate.
"The first time you marry for love, the second for money, and the third for companionship." Jackie Kennedy
Final Years
Onassis's death in 1975 made Jacqueline, then 46, a widow for the second time. Now that her children were older, she decided to find work that would be fulfilling to her. Since she had always enjoyed writing and literature, Jacqueline accepted a job offer as an editor at Viking Press and than a few years later moved to Doubleday, living in New York City, Martha’s Vineyard and the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis, Massachusetts. From the mid 1970’s to her death her companion was Maurice Tempelsman.(en.wikipedia) In January 1994, Onassis was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of cancer. Her diagnosis was announced to the public in February. The family was initially optimistic, and she stopped smoking at the insistence of her daughter. Onassis continued her work with Doubleday but curtailed her schedule. A large crowd of wellwishers, tourists, and reporters gathered on the street outside her penthouse apartment at 1040 Fifth Avenue, and she died in her sleep at 10:15 pm on Friday, May 19, at the age of 64.(en.wikipedia) Jacqueline Kennedy's funeral was held on May 23 at Saint Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church at Park Avenue and East 84th Street in Manhattan, which was the same church where she was baptized in 1929. As a concession to a grieving world, audio of her private funeral, along with a special television broadcast, was broadcast around the world. At her funeral, her son, John, described three of her attributes as the love of words, the bonds of home and family, and her spirit of adventure. (en.wikipedia) She was then buried next to President John F. Kennedy, and near their son Patrick and daughter Arabella at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.(en.wikipedia)
Onassis's death in 1975 made Jacqueline, then 46, a widow for the second time. Now that her children were older, she decided to find work that would be fulfilling to her. Since she had always enjoyed writing and literature, Jacqueline accepted a job offer as an editor at Viking Press and than a few years later moved to Doubleday, living in New York City, Martha’s Vineyard and the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis, Massachusetts. From the mid 1970’s to her death her companion was Maurice Tempelsman.(en.wikipedia) In January 1994, Onassis was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of cancer. Her diagnosis was announced to the public in February. The family was initially optimistic, and she stopped smoking at the insistence of her daughter. Onassis continued her work with Doubleday but curtailed her schedule. A large crowd of wellwishers, tourists, and reporters gathered on the street outside her penthouse apartment at 1040 Fifth Avenue, and she died in her sleep at 10:15 pm on Friday, May 19, at the age of 64.(en.wikipedia) Jacqueline Kennedy's funeral was held on May 23 at Saint Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church at Park Avenue and East 84th Street in Manhattan, which was the same church where she was baptized in 1929. As a concession to a grieving world, audio of her private funeral, along with a special television broadcast, was broadcast around the world. At her funeral, her son, John, described three of her attributes as the love of words, the bonds of home and family, and her spirit of adventure. (en.wikipedia) She was then buried next to President John F. Kennedy, and near their son Patrick and daughter Arabella at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.(en.wikipedia)
"Even though people may be well known, they hold in their hearts the emotions of a simple person for the moments that are the most important of those we know on earth: birth, marriage and death." Jackie Kennedy
Links
1. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Kennedy
(accessed May 25,2007)
2. The White House http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/jk35.html
(accessed May 25,2007)
3. WikiMedia Foundation, Inc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debutante
(accessed May 25, 2007)
4. Arlington National Cemetery
http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=36
