Lasting Legacy of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: A Look at the Influence on History

How the contributions of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis continue to shape the world today.

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.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

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.

1962: TIME Woman of the Year

In 1962, Jacqueline Kennedy was named Time magazine's Woman of the Year for her efforts in uplifting American history and art.

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."

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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.

1965: International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame

In 1965, Jacqueline Kennedy was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame.

1982: Siena College Research Institute Survey

In the 1982 Siena College Research Institute survey, Onassis had been ranked the lowest in the criteria of integrity. The initial disapproving view of her integrity may have been due to sentiments towards her marriage to Aristotle Onassis.

1982: Recognition as Highly Regarded First Lady

Since 1982, surveys of historians conducted periodically by the Siena College Research Institute have consistently found Kennedy Onassis to rank among the most highly regarded First Ladies.

1999: Gallup's Most-Admired Women of the 20th century

In 1999, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was placed on the list of Gallup's Most-Admired Men and Women of the 20th century.

2001: Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

In 2001, pieces from Jacqueline Kennedy's collection were exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The exhibition, titled "Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years", focused on her time as a first lady.

2003: Completion of Time Warner Center

In 2003, the Time Warner Center, a large twin-towered skyscraper at Columbus Circle, was completed despite protests, including those led by Jacqueline Onassis, who opposed the project due to its shadows on Central Park.

2003: Siena Research Institute Survey

In the 2003 survey, Onassis made the top-five in half of the categories, being ranked 1st-highest in background, 5th-highest in intelligence, 4th-highest in courage, 4th-highest in value to the country, and 1st-highest in public image.

2008: Siena Research Institute Survey

In the 2008 Siena Research Institute survey, Onassis was ranked in the top-five of all criteria, ranking the 2nd-highest in background, 4th-highest in intelligence, 2nd-highest in value to the country, 4th-highest in being her "own woman", 4th-highest in integrity, 5th-highest in her accomplishments, 2nd-highest in courage, 4th-highest in leadership, 1st in public image, and 3rd-highest in her value to the president.

2012: TIME 100 Fashion Icons

In 2012, Time magazine included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis on its All-TIME 100 Fashion Icons list.

2014: Siena Research Institute Survey

In the 2014 Siena Research Institute survey, in the rankings of 20th and 21st century American first ladies in additional survey questions, Onassis was ranked 2nd-highest for management of family life, 4th-highest for advancement of women's issues, 3rd-greatest as a political asset, 4th-strongest public communicator, and 2nd-highest for creation of a lasting legacy. In the 2014 survey, Onassis and her first husband were also ranked the 6th-highest out of 39 first couples in terms of being a "power couple".