Career Timeline of Caroline Kennedy: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Caroline Kennedy built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Caroline Kennedy is an American author, attorney, and diplomat. She served as the United States Ambassador to Japan from 2013 to 2017 and as the Ambassador to Australia from 2022 to 2024. As a member of the Kennedy family and the only surviving child of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, she has largely dedicated her professional life to literature, law, politics, education reform, and charitable work.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1945: Impact from the 1945 atomic bombing

In April 2015, Caroline Kennedy visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which displayed the impact from the 1945 atomic bombing.

1976: Photographer's Assistant at Winter Olympics

In 1976, Caroline Kennedy worked as a photographer's assistant at the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.

1977: Intern at New York Daily News

In 1977, Caroline Kennedy worked as a summer intern at the New York Daily News.

1988: Juris Doctor Degree

In 1988, Caroline Kennedy earned a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia Law School.

1988: Graduation from Columbia Law School

In 1988, Caroline Kennedy earned a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School, graduating in the top 10 percent of her class.

1989: Created the Profile in Courage Award

In 1989, Caroline Kennedy and her family created the Profile in Courage Award. The award recognizes public officials who demonstrate politically courageous leadership.

1991: Co-authored "In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights In Action"

In 1991, Caroline Kennedy co-wrote the book "In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights In Action" with Ellen Alderman. The book aimed to explain the importance of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

December 7, 1999: Attended Robin Hood Foundation annual breakfast

On December 7, 1999, Caroline Kennedy attended the Robin Hood Foundation annual breakfast. She spoke at the event about her brother, John Jr.'s, commitment to the organization.

2000: Supported Al Gore for President and Spoke at Democratic National Convention

In 2000, Caroline Kennedy supported Al Gore for the presidency, mentioning a kinship due to their fathers' shared time in the Senate. She also spoke at the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, California.

2000: Dick Cheney headed George W. Bush's vice presidential vetting committee

In 2000, Dick Cheney headed George W. Bush's vice presidential vetting committee, before being chosen for the role himself.

2002: Appointed Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships

In 2002, Caroline Kennedy was appointed as director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships for the New York City Department of Education by School Chancellor Joel Klein. Her job involved raising private money for the New York City public schools.

2004: Continued as director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships

Through 2004, Caroline Kennedy continued to work as director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships for the New York City Department of Education, raising private money for public schools.

2006: Contributed to Hillary Clinton's Senatorial Campaign

In 2006, Caroline Kennedy contributed a total of $5,000 to Hillary Clinton's senatorial campaign.

June 29, 2007: Contributed to Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign

On June 29, 2007, Caroline Kennedy contributed $2,300 to the Hillary Rodham Clinton presidential campaign committee.

September 18, 2007: Contributed to Barack Obama's Presidential Campaign

On September 18, 2007, Caroline Kennedy contributed $2,300 to Barack Obama's presidential campaign committee.

2007: Publication of "A Family Christmas"

In 2007, Caroline Kennedy authored "A Family Christmas", a collection of poems, prose, and personal notes from her family history.

January 27, 2008: Endorsed Barack Obama for President

On January 27, 2008, Caroline Kennedy announced in a New York Times op-ed piece that she would endorse Barack Obama in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, expressing that he inspired her in a way similar to her father.

June 4, 2008: Named Co-chair of Obama's Vice Presidential Search Committee

On June 4, 2008, Caroline Kennedy was named co-chair of Barack Obama's Vice Presidential Search Committee, along with Jim Johnson and Eric Holder.

December 2008: Expressed interest in the United States Senate seat

In December 2008, Caroline Kennedy expressed interest in the United States Senate seat occupied by Hillary Clinton, which was to be filled by appointment of New York Governor David Paterson.

2008: Endorsement of Barack Obama

In 2008, Caroline Kennedy and her uncle, Ted Kennedy, endorsed Barack Obama for president. She later stumped for him and addressed the Democratic National Convention.

January 22, 2009: Withdrew from consideration for Senate seat

Shortly before midnight on January 22, 2009, Caroline Kennedy released a statement that she was withdrawing from consideration for the Senate seat due to "personal reasons".

April 2009: Reported Rejection as United States Ambassador to the Holy See

In April 2009, Caroline Kennedy was widely reported to have been rejected as the United States Ambassador to the Holy See, allegedly due to her position in favor of abortion rights, although this was later debunked.

2010: Senate Seat to be filled through 2010

The United States Senate seat occupied by Hillary Clinton was to be filled through 2010 by appointment of New York Governor David Paterson.

April 2011: Publication of "She Walks in Beauty"

In April 2011, Caroline Kennedy edited and introduced a new collection of poetry, "She Walks in Beauty – A Woman's Journey Through Poems", which was published and launched at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

June 27, 2012: Campaigned for Obama's Re-election in New Hampshire

On June 27, 2012, Caroline Kennedy campaigned in Nashua and Manchester, New Hampshire, for the re-election of President Obama.

February 2013: Prospective nomination as United States Ambassador to Japan

In February 2013, reports first emerged about the prospective nomination of Caroline Kennedy as the United States Ambassador to Japan.

July 2013: Formal diplomatic agreement received from the Japanese government

In mid-July 2013, formal diplomatic agreement to the appointment of Caroline Kennedy as United States Ambassador to Japan was reportedly received from the Japanese government.

July 24, 2013: Nominated as United States Ambassador to Japan

On July 24, 2013, President Obama announced Caroline Kennedy as his nominee to be United States Ambassador to Japan.

September 19, 2013: Testified Before Senate Foreign Relations Committee

On September 19, 2013, Caroline Kennedy appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to answer questions about her potential appointment as ambassador, focusing on military ties, trade, and student exchange.

September 30, 2013: Nomination Favorably Reported to Senate Floor

On September 30, 2013, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee favorably reported Caroline Kennedy's nomination to the Senate floor.

October 16, 2013: Confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Japan

On October 16, 2013, Caroline Kennedy was confirmed by voice vote as the first female U.S. Ambassador to Japan.

2013: Financial Disclosure Reports

During her 2013 nomination to serve as ambassador to Japan, financial disclosure reports showed Caroline Kennedy's net worth to be between $278 million and $500 million.

2013: U.S. Ambassador to Japan

In 2013, Caroline Kennedy became the United States Ambassador to Japan.

2013: Appointment as Ambassador to Japan

In 2013, Caroline Kennedy was appointed as the United States Ambassador to Japan, becoming the first woman to hold the position.

April 2015: Visited Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and planted dogwood trees

In April 2015, Caroline Kennedy visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and called her visit a "solemn honor". Kennedy also planted dogwood trees on a road, participating in a U.S. project to spread 3,000 dogwood trees across Japan.

January 18, 2017: Formally left Japan as Ambassador

On January 18, 2017, Caroline Kennedy formally left Japan as Ambassador shortly before Donald Trump was sworn in as President.

2017: End of Ambassadorship to Japan

In 2017, Caroline Kennedy's tenure as the United States Ambassador to Japan came to an end.

2020: Possible candidate for the 2020 Presidential primaries

In 2020, there was media speculation that Caroline Kennedy might become a possible candidate for the Presidential primaries and election, but this did not come to pass.

December 15, 2021: Nomination as United States Ambassador to Australia

On December 15, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Caroline Kennedy to be the United States Ambassador to Australia.

2021: Awarded Japan's Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun

In 2021, Caroline Kennedy was awarded Japan's Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun in recognition of her service as the United States Ambassador to Japan.

April 7, 2022: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing

On April 7, 2022, hearings on Caroline Kennedy's nomination as United States Ambassador to Australia were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.