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, diplomat, and attorney, known for her service as the United States Ambassador to Japan (2013-2017) and Australia (2022-2024). A member of the Kennedy family, she is the only surviving child of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Beyond her diplomatic roles, Kennedy has been involved in literature, law, education reform, and charity work.
1960: Democratic National Convention
In 2000, Caroline Kennedy spoke at the Democratic National Convention which was the first time since the 1960 Democratic National Convention where her father had been nominated.
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: Summer Intern at New York Daily News
In 1977, Caroline Kennedy worked as a summer intern at the New York Daily News.
1988: Earned Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School
In 1988, Caroline Kennedy earned a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School.
1988: Juris Doctor Degree
In 1988, Caroline Kennedy earned her Juris Doctor degree from Columbia Law School.
1989: Creation of the Profile in Courage Award
In 1989, Caroline Kennedy and her family created the Profile in Courage Award.
1991: Published "In Our Defense"
In 1991, Caroline Kennedy co-wrote the book, "In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights In Action" with Ellen Alderman.
December 7, 1999: Attended Robin Hood Foundation Breakfast
On December 7, 1999, Caroline Kennedy attended the Robin Hood Foundation annual breakfast, speaking about her brother John's commitment to the organization.
2000: Supported Al Gore for President
In 2000, Caroline Kennedy supported Al Gore for the presidency and spoke at the 2000 Democratic National Convention.
2001: Presentation of the Profile in Courage Award to Gerald Ford
In 2001, Caroline Kennedy presented the Profile in Courage Award to former president Gerald Ford.
2002: 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.
2004: Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships
Caroline Kennedy worked as director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships for the New York City Department of Education through 2004 and helped raise more than $65 million.
2007: A Family Christmas Publication
In 2007, Caroline Kennedy authored "A Family Christmas", which is a collection of poems, prose, and personal notes from her family history.
January 27, 2008: Endorsement of Barack Obama for President
On January 27, 2008, Caroline Kennedy endorsed Barack Obama in the U.S. presidential election in a New York Times op-ed piece entitled, "A President Like My Father."
June 4, 2008: Co-chair of Obama's Vice Presidential Search Committee
On June 4, 2008, Barack Obama named Caroline Kennedy as co-chair of his Vice Presidential Search Committee.
December 2008: Interest in United States Senate Seat
In December 2008, Caroline Kennedy expressed interest in the United States Senate seat occupied by Hillary Clinton.
2008: Endorsed Barack Obama
In 2008, Caroline Kennedy endorsed Barack Obama for president and played an active role in his campaign.
January 22, 2009: Withdrawal from Senate Seat Consideration
Shortly before midnight on January 22, 2009, Caroline Kennedy released a statement that she was withdrawing from consideration for the Senate seat, citing "personal reasons".
2010: Senate Seat to be Filled Through 2010
In December 2008, Caroline Kennedy expressed interest in the United States Senate seat occupied by Hillary Clinton, who had been selected to become Secretary of State, to be filled through 2010.
April 2011: She Walks in Beauty Publication
In April 2011, Caroline Kennedy's collection of poetry, "She Walks in Beauty – A Woman's Journey Through Poems", was published, and she launched the book at the John F. Kennedy Library & Museum.
June 27, 2012: Campaigning for Obama's Re-election in New Hampshire
On June 27, 2012, Caroline Kennedy made appearances in Nashua and Manchester, New Hampshire, to campaign for the re-election of President Obama.
February 2013: Prospective Nomination as United States Ambassador to Japan
In February 2013, the prospective nomination of Caroline Kennedy as United States Ambassador to Japan was first reported.
July 2013: Formal Diplomatic Agreement to Appointment as Ambassador to Japan
In mid-July 2013, formal diplomatic agreement to the appointment of Caroline Kennedy as Ambassador to Japan was reportedly received from the Japanese government.
July 24, 2013: Nomination 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: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Questioning
On September 19, 2013, Caroline Kennedy sat before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and responded to questions regarding her potential appointment as ambassador.
September 30, 2013: Favorable Report 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: Confirmation 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: Appointed Ambassador to Japan
In 2013, Caroline Kennedy was appointed by President Obama as the United States ambassador to Japan.
2013: Financial Disclosure Report
In 2013, during her nomination to serve as ambassador to Japan, financial disclosure reports showed Caroline Kennedy's net worth to be between $278 million and $500 million.
January 18, 2017: Resignation as United States Ambassador to Japan
Caroline Kennedy formally left Japan as Ambassador on January 18, 2017, after resigning as the United States Ambassador to Japan.
2020: Presidential Primaries Speculation
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.
April 7, 2022: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearings
On April 7, 2022, hearings on Caroline Kennedy's nomination as Ambassador to Australia were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
May 4, 2022: Favorable Report to the Senate Floor
On May 4, 2022, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee favorably reported Caroline Kennedy's nomination to the Senate floor.
May 5, 2022: Confirmation by the Senate
On May 5, 2022, Caroline Kennedy was confirmed by the Senate as the United States Ambassador to Australia.
June 10, 2022: Confirmed as Ambassador to Australia
On June 10, 2022, Caroline Kennedy was confirmed as the United States ambassador to Australia and subsequently took office.
July 25, 2022: Presented Credentials to Governor-General of Australia
On July 25, 2022, Caroline Kennedy presented her credentials to Governor-General of Australia David Hurley.
September 2024: Announcement to Leave Ambassadorial Position
In September 2024, Caroline Kennedy announced she would leave her ambassadorial position regardless of the result of the presidential election.
