Childhood and Education Journey of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in Timeline
An overview of the childhood and early education of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, known as Jackie Kennedy and later Jackie O, was the First Lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963 during John F. Kennedy's presidency. She was considered a global icon due to her distinctive fashion sense and role as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. Her impact extended beyond politics, solidifying her place in popular culture and history.
3 hours ago : Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' final days, JFK Jr. and Daryl Hannah's relationship explored in 'Love Story'.
'Love Story' delves into Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's final days and JFK Jr.'s tumultuous relationship with Daryl Hannah. The series explores Jackie O's thoughts on the relationship.
1929: Financial Difficulties after Wall Street Crash
Following the Wall Street Crash of 1929, the Bouvier family experienced financial difficulties, which added strain to the marriage.
1929: Baptism and Confirmation
In 1929, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was baptized at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, the same Catholic parish where she was later confirmed as a teenager.
March 3, 1933: Birth of Caroline Lee Bouvier
On March 3, 1933, Caroline Lee Bouvier, Jacqueline's younger sister, was born four years after Jacqueline.
1936: Separation of Parents
In 1936, the marriage of Jacqueline Bouvier's parents was strained by her father's alcoholism and extramarital affairs. They separated.
1941: Jacqueline visits the White House as a tourist
In 1941, Jacqueline Kennedy visited the White House as a grade-school tourist. This was one of the two occasions Kennedy had visited the White House before becoming First Lady.
1942: Attendance at Holton-Arms School
From 1942 to 1944, Jacqueline Bouvier attended the Holton-Arms School in Northwest Washington, D.C.
1944: Attendance at Miss Porter's School
From 1944 to 1947, Jacqueline Bouvier attended Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Connecticut. She chose this school to distance herself from the Auchinclosses and for its emphasis on college preparatory classes.
1945: Birth of Step-Sister Janet Jennings Auchincloss
In 1945, Janet Jennings Auchincloss, one of Jacqueline Bouvier's step-sisters, was born after her mother remarried to Hugh D. Auchincloss Jr.
1947: Graduation from Miss Porter's School
In 1947, Jacqueline Bouvier graduated among the top students of her class from Miss Porter's School, receiving the Maria McKinney Memorial Award for Excellence in Literature.
1947: Birth of Step-Brother James Lee Auchincloss
In 1947, James Lee Auchincloss, one of Jacqueline Bouvier's step-brothers, was born after her mother remarried to Hugh D. Auchincloss Jr.
1947: Entry into Vassar College
In the fall of 1947, Jacqueline Bouvier entered Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She participated in the school's art and drama clubs and wrote for its newspaper.
1951: Graduation from George Washington University
In 1951, Jacqueline Bouvier graduated from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French literature.
1951: Graduation and Career Beginnings
In 1951, Jacqueline Bouvier graduated from George Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in French literature. She then started working as an inquiring photographer for the Washington Times-Herald.
January 1952: Engagement to John Husted
In January 1952, Jacqueline Bouvier and John Husted published their engagement announcement in The New York Times. However, after three months, she called off the engagement.
May 1952: Meeting John F. Kennedy
In May 1952, Jacqueline Bouvier met U.S. representative John F. Kennedy at a dinner party hosted by journalist Charles L. Bartlett. The pair had several commonalities and were attracted to each other.
June 25, 1953: Official Engagement Announcement
On June 25, 1953, Jacqueline Bouvier and John F. Kennedy officially announced their engagement. She was 24 and he was 36.
September 12, 1953: Marriage to John F. Kennedy
On September 12, 1953, Jacqueline Bouvier married then-congressman John F. Kennedy in Newport, Rhode Island. The couple's wedding was a significant social event.
1954: John Kennedy's Spinal Operation
In late 1954, John Kennedy underwent a near-fatal spinal operation due to chronic back pain, which had been exacerbated by a war injury.
1955: Miscarriage
In 1955, Jacqueline Kennedy suffered a miscarriage, which added to the personal setbacks faced by the couple.
August 1956: Birth of Stillborn Daughter Arabella
In August 1956, Jacqueline Kennedy gave birth to a stillborn daughter, Arabella, adding to the personal challenges faced by the couple.
November 27, 1957: Birth of Daughter Caroline
On November 27, 1957, Jacqueline Kennedy gave birth to her daughter Caroline.
April 21, 1958: Life Magazine Cover
On April 21, 1958, Jacqueline Kennedy, her husband John F. Kennedy, and their infant daughter Caroline appeared on the cover of Life magazine.
July 1959: Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.'s Visit
In July 1959, historian Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. visited the Kennedy Compound and had his first conversation with Jacqueline Kennedy. He noted her "tremendous awareness, an all-seeing eye and a ruthless judgment".
September 26, 1960: Jacqueline watches the first televised presidential debate
On September 26, 1960, Jacqueline Kennedy watched the nation's first televised presidential debate between her husband, John F. Kennedy, and Republican candidate Richard Nixon from Hyannis Port. Marian Cannon, wife of Arthur Schlesinger, watched the debate with her.
September 29, 1960: The Kennedys' joint interview on Person to Person
On September 29, 1960, Jacqueline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy appeared together for a joint interview on Person to Person, interviewed by Charles Collingwood.
November 8, 1960: John F. Kennedy wins the U.S. presidential election
On November 8, 1960, John F. Kennedy narrowly defeated Republican opponent Richard Nixon in the U.S. presidential election.
1960: John F. Kennedy elected to the presidency
In 1960, John F. Kennedy was elected to the presidency, making Jacqueline Kennedy the First Lady of the United States. During this time, Jacqueline was known for her highly publicized restoration of the White House and emphasis on arts and culture as well as for her style.
January 20, 1961: John F. Kennedy's inauguration
On January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy was sworn in as president, making Jacqueline Kennedy the First Lady at the age of 31. She was the third youngest woman to serve as first lady, and the first Silent Generation first lady.
June 1961: Kennedy's visit to Buckingham Palace
In June 1961, the Kennedy couple visited Buckingham Palace. This event is covered in the eighth episode of the second season of Netflix's 'The Crown'.
1961: The Kennedys' first official visit to France
In 1961, Jacqueline Kennedy and President Kennedy made their first official visit to France. Before arriving in the country, a television special was shot in French with the First Lady on the White House lawn. Jacqueline Kennedy impressed the public with her ability to speak French, as well as her extensive knowledge of French history.
February 14, 1962: Jacqueline Kennedy's White House tour on television
On February 14, 1962, Jacqueline Kennedy, accompanied by Charles Collingwood of CBS News, gave American television viewers a tour of the White House. The film was watched by 56 million television viewers in the United States, and was later distributed to 106 countries.
October 17, 1963: Jacqueline Kennedy returns from Greece
On October 17, 1963, Jacqueline Kennedy returned to the United States from Aristotle Onassis' yacht in Greece. She had been recuperating from the loss of her newborn son, Patrick. She expressed regret for being away so long, admitting she had been melancholy.
November 29, 1963: Interview with Life Magazine
On November 29, 1963, one week after President Kennedy's assassination, Jacqueline Kennedy gave an interview to Theodore H. White of Life magazine in Hyannis Port. During the interview, she compared the Kennedy administration to King Arthur's Camelot, stating that the President often played the title song from Lerner and Loewe's musical recording before bed and quoted Queen Guinevere to express her feelings of loss. This interview led to the era of Kennedy's presidency being referred to as the "Camelot Era."
1963: Withdrawal from Public View
In 1963, after her husband's assassination and funeral, Jacqueline Kennedy and her children largely withdrew from public view to grieve privately.
1963: Jacqueline Kennedy gives birth to Patrick Bouvier Kennedy
In early August 1963, five weeks ahead of her due date, Jacqueline Kennedy gave birth to a boy, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, via emergency Caesarean section at Otis Air Force Base. Patrick Kennedy's lungs were not fully developed, and he died two days after birth.
January 14, 1964: Televised appearance thanking the public
On January 14, 1964, Jacqueline Kennedy made a televised appearance from the office of the attorney general to thank the public for the support and messages she had received after President Kennedy's assassination. She expressed that she had been sustained by America's affection for her late husband.
1964: Jacqueline Kennedy donates pink suit to National Archives
In 1964, Jacqueline Kennedy donated the pink suit she wore during the assassination of JFK to the National Archives and Records Administration. The suit, unlaundered and stained with blood, became a symbol of her husband's assassination and will not be placed on public display before 2103.
1964: Supports Robert Kennedy's Senate Run
In 1964, Jacqueline Kennedy supported Robert F. Kennedy's campaign for United States Senator from New York, after convincing him to stay in politics.
December 1966: Lawsuit to block publication
In December 1966, Jacqueline Kennedy and Robert Kennedy sued publishers Harper & Row in an attempt to block the publication of William Manchester's authorized account of President Kennedy's death, titled "The Death of a President."
November 1967: Travels to Cambodia as 'America's Unofficial Roving Ambassador'
In November 1967, Jacqueline Kennedy, along with David Ormsby-Gore, traveled to Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Life magazine dubbed her "America's unofficial roving ambassador." They visited Angkor Wat with Chief of State Norodom Sihanouk, which helped improve Cambodian-US relations.
1967: Settlement of lawsuit
In 1967, Jacqueline Kennedy and Robert Kennedy's lawsuit against Harper & Row was settled. The settlement required William Manchester to remove passages from "The Death of a President" that detailed President Kennedy's private life.
January 1968: Encourages Robert Kennedy to run for president
In January 1968, following the Tet Offensive, Jacqueline Kennedy encouraged Robert Kennedy to enter the upcoming presidential race, reversing her previous advice to him. Despite her private concerns about his safety, she supported his campaign.
April 1968: Attends Martin Luther King Jr.'s Funeral
In April 1968, Jacqueline Kennedy attended the funeral services of Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia. She initially hesitated to attend due to concerns about the crowds and the reminders of President Kennedy's death.
June 5, 1968: Robert Kennedy Shot
Just after midnight PDT on June 5, 1968, Robert Kennedy was mortally wounded by Sirhan Sirhan in Los Angeles, shortly after celebrating his victory in the California Democratic presidential primary. Jacqueline Kennedy traveled to Los Angeles to be with his family at Good Samaritan Hospital.
October 20, 1968: Marries Aristotle Onassis
On October 20, 1968, Jacqueline Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis, a Greek shipping magnate, on his private island of Skorpios. She took the legal name Jacqueline Onassis, which resulted in the loss of her Secret Service protection. The marriage was controversial and brought her adverse publicity, including speculation about excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church and condemnation as a "public sinner."
1968: Suffers relapse of depression
After Robert Kennedy's death in 1968, Jacqueline Kennedy suffered a relapse of depression similar to what she experienced after her husband's assassination. She feared for the safety of herself and her children and expressed a desire to leave the country.
1968: 'The Kennedys: After Camelot' focuses on Jackie's life after 1968
The 2017 miniseries 'The Kennedys: After Camelot' focuses on Jacqueline Kennedy's life after 1968.
1973: Death of Aristotle Onassis's son
In 1973, Aristotle Onassis's health began to deteriorate rapidly following the death of his son Alexander in a plane crash.
March 15, 1975: Aristotle Onassis Death
On March 15, 1975, Aristotle Onassis died of respiratory failure in Paris at the age of 69. Jacqueline Onassis eventually accepted a settlement of $26 million from his daughter, Christina Onassis, after a legal dispute.
1976: Attends Democratic National Convention
In 1976, Jacqueline Onassis attended the Democratic National Convention after almost a decade of avoiding participation in political events. Her appearance in the visitors' gallery stunned the assembled delegates.
1980: Relationship with Maurice Tempelsman begins
From 1980, Jacqueline Onassis maintained a close relationship with Maurice Tempelsman, a Belgian-born industrialist and diamond merchant who was her companion and personal financial adviser.
1984: Maurice Tempelsman Separates from Wife
In 1984, Maurice Tempelsman separated from his wife Lilly, though he remained legally married to her throughout his relationship with Jacqueline Onassis.
1988: First Grandchild Born
In 1988, Jacqueline Onassis became a first-time grandmother when her daughter Caroline gave birth to a daughter named Rose.
1988: Tempelsman moves into Onassis's Fifth Avenue home
In 1988, Maurice Tempelsman moved into Jacqueline Onassis's Fifth Avenue home, though this fact was not publicly known until after her death.
1989: Tempelsman as 'public escort and private companion'
In 1989, Maurice Tempelsman was described as Jacqueline Onassis's "public escort and private companion" who only "stayed several nights a week in Onassis's Fifth Avenue Apartment" rather than living there full time.
1990: Second Grandchild Born
In 1990, Jacqueline Onassis's daughter Caroline gave birth to her second daughter, Tatiana Celia.
November 1993: Hospitalized after fall from horse
In November 1993, Jacqueline Onassis was hospitalized after being thrown from her horse during a fox hunt in Middleburg, Virginia. A swollen lymph node was discovered and initially diagnosed as an infection. The fall contributed to her deteriorating health.
1993: Third Grandchild Born
In 1993, Jacqueline Onassis's daughter Caroline gave birth to her third child, John Bouvier.
January 1994: Diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma
In January 1994, Jacqueline Onassis was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma after developing new symptoms, including a stomach ache and swollen lymph nodes. She began chemotherapy and publicly announced the diagnosis.
May 1994: Death of Jacqueline Onassis
In May 1994, after Jacqueline Onassis's death, details of her romance with Maurice Tempelsman received media coverage. He had been "quietly at her side" even toward the end of her life and didn't go "public" until afterwards.
May 18, 1994: Last Trip Home
On May 18, 1994, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis made her final trip home from New York Hospital–Cornell Medical Center.
July 11, 1994: Details of the Relationship revealed
In the July 11, 1994 edition of People magazine, it was revealed that Maurice Tempelsman had been living in Jacqueline Onassis's Fifth Avenue home since 1988; by this time, Onassis had in fact been living a more private life.
2011: Katie Holmes portrays Jacqueline Kennedy in 'The Kennedys'
In 2011, Katie Holmes portrayed Jacqueline Kennedy in the miniseries 'The Kennedys', which is set during the Kennedy presidency.
2013: Ginnifer Goodwin portrays Jacqueline Kennedy in 'Killing Kennedy'
In 2013, Ginnifer Goodwin portrayed Jacqueline Kennedy in the television film 'Killing Kennedy'. Goodwin used intimate photos to better portray Jacqueline Kennedy and was concerned to do her justice.
2013: Minka Kelly portrays Jacqueline Kennedy in 'The Butler'
In 2013, Minka Kelly portrayed Jacqueline Kennedy in the film 'The Butler'. She gives the film's protagonist one of her husband's neckties after his assassination. Kelly admitted to having difficulty with perfecting Kennedy's voice.
2016: Kim Allen portrays Jacqueline Kennedy in 'LBJ'
In 2016, Kim Allen portrayed Jacqueline Kennedy in the film 'LBJ'. It was noted that Allen was in a non-speaking role.
2016: Natalie Portman portrays Jacqueline Kennedy in 'Jackie'
In 2016, Natalie Portman portrayed Jacqueline Kennedy in the film 'Jackie'. The movie is set during the JFK presidency and the immediate aftermath of the assassination. Portman was nominated for Best Actress by Academy Awards, AACTA Awards, AWFJ, AFCA, and BSFC, and won the category by the Online Film Critics Society.
2017: Jodi Balfour portrays Jacqueline Kennedy in 'The Crown'
In 2017, Jodi Balfour portrayed Jacqueline Kennedy in the eighth episode of the second season of Netflix's 'The Crown', titled "Dear Mrs. Kennedy".
2017: Katie Holmes reprises her role in 'The Kennedys: After Camelot'
In 2017, Katie Holmes reprised her role as Jacqueline Kennedy in 'The Kennedys: After Camelot', which focused on her life after 1968. Holmes stated that reprising the role was a "bigger challenge".
2025: Death of Granddaughter Tatiana Celia
In 2025, Jacqueline Onassis's Granddaughter Tatiana Celia died.
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