Biographie

Is the youngest of five sisters. Sisters are Rosemary Kennedy (1918-2005), Kathleen Kennedy (1920-1948), Eunice Kennedy Shriver (1921-2009) and Patricia Kennedy (1924-2006). Jean Kennedy Smith was the last surviving sister, as well as the last surviving sibling of her generation of Kennedy children, the sons and daughters of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. (Ambassador Joe Kennedy) and Rose Kennedy.

Is generally credited with discovering Irish pop act The Corrs during her tenure as US Ambassador to Ireland (1993-1998). Kennedy Smith had been invited by "Riverdance" composer, Bill Whelan, to attend The Corrs' first professional gig in Dublin (March 1994) and was so impressed with the show, she invited the band to Boston to play at a VIP function at the Kennedy Library and at the 1994 World Cup in Boston organized by her brother, US Senator Ted Kennedy.

Aunt of Maria Shriver, Tim Shriver, Robert Shriver, Mark Shriver, Anthony Shriver, Rory Kennedy, John Kennedy Jr., Christopher Lawford, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Joseph Kennedy, Patrick Joseph Kennedy II, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kerry Kennedy, Michael LeMoyne Kennedy, Maxwell Kennedy, Kara Kennedy, Ted Kennedy Jr., and Caroline Kennedy.

Mother of Stephen Edward Smith, Jr. (b. June 29th 1957), William Kennedy Smith (b. September 4th 1960), Amanda Mary Smith (b. April 30th 1967) and Kym Maria Smith (b. November 29th 1972).

With the death of Senator Ted Kennedy in 2009, from his death on August 25, 2009, until her own death on June 17, 2020, she had been the sole surviving child of the American political dynasty that was created by the marriage of Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Kennedy.