Jackie Kennedy-Onassis: She's Beauty & She's Grace
- Delaney Bowman
- Mar 4, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 29, 2024
Jacqueline Lee Bouvier was born on July 28, 1929 in Southhampton, New York to a wealthy family who led a remarkable life filled with glamour, poise, and resilience. Raised in a privileged and cultured family, she developed a love for literature, arts, and languages during her childhood. In 1940 when her parents divorced, she threw herself deeper into her studies and excelled academically.
Jackie graduated in 1951 from George Washington University with a degree in French literature. While attending college, she won a twelve-month junior editorship at Vogue magazine, where she had been selected over several hundred other women nationwide. She was to work for six months at the magazine's New York City office and spend the remaining six months in Paris. On her first day at the job, the managing editor advised her to quit and go back to Washington, as she was 22 and considered too old to be a single woman. She took the advice and left the job, returning to Washington after only a day of work.
Jackie grew up with her younger sister, Lee Bouvier-Radziwill, and they spent most of their time together horse-back riding, painting, writing, and silently competing against each other their whole lives. Jackie's relationship with her sister was both close and complicated. Despite occasional tensions, the two shared a deep sisterly bond, supporting each other through life's ups and downs.
Jackie's life took a momentous turn when she met John F. Kennedy, a charismatic senator, and the two were married on September 12, 1953. The marriage brought her into the public eye, and she embraced her role with grace and style. As the First Lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963, Jackie brought a sense of sophistication to the White House. She restored and redecorated the residence, showcasing her passion for art and culture. In 1961, Jackie founded the White House Historical Association, which serves the purpose of preserving and educating history. She restored a great deal of the White House, including most of the family rooms on the 2nd Floor and public rooms on the State Floor.
"I'll be a wife and mother first, then First Lady."
In addition to her role as First Lady, Jackie was a devoted mother to her and JFK's children: Caroline and John Jr. She created a loving and nurturing environment for her
kids and her dedication to their well-being was evident even in the midst of the intense public scrutiny that accompanied her husband's presidency. Her role as a mother had an unfortunate state, with a miscarriage during the early years of her marriage, and a stillbirth to a girl whom they named Arabella. After the joyous births of Caroline and John Jr., Jackie gave birth to another child, named Patrick, who was born prematurely and passed away only two days later. Jackie's experience with motherhood may have had it's tragedy's, but she took her role very seriously, even saying the famous quote: "If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do matters very much."
Tragedy struck again to the Kennedy family on November 22, 1963, when President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Jackie's strength and composure during this devastating time left an indelible mark on the nation. Her famous pink Chanel suit, stained with her husband's blood, became an enduring symbol of her stoicism.
In the aftermath of JFK's death, Jackie faced grief and heartache with remarkable resilience. She continued to contribute to society, championing the arts and historic preservation. Following her husband's unexpected death, she remarried to Aristotle Onassis, a Greek shipping magnate, in 1968, and continued her philanthropic endeavors.
"I have been through a lot and have suffered a great deal. But I have had lots of happy moments, as well. Every moment one lives is different from the other. The good, the bad, hardship, the joy, the tragedy, love, and happiness are all interwoven into one single, indescribale whole that is called life. You cannot separate the good from the bad. And perhaps there is no need to do so, either."
Jackie went on to follow her passion for literature and editing, by becoming an associate editor for four years--then senior editor from 1982 until her death in 1994-- at Doubleday Publishing. She continued to work on her cultural and architectural preservation endeavors as well. Highlighting one of her most iconic works, she led a preservation campaign for the Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan, New York, saving it from being demolished and renovated.
Jackie's influence extended beyond politics, leaving an enduring impact on fashion and society. Her timeless sense of style, often imitated but never replicated, earned her a place as a fashion icon. Her beauty, grace, and enduring commitment to her family and causes have solidified her as one of the most admired and beloved figures in American history.
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