Early Life and Education of Kerry Kennedy: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 28, 2025

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Kerry Kennedy. A timeline of key moments.

Mary Kerry Kennedy is an American lawyer, author, and prominent human rights activist. As a member of the Kennedy family, she is the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, and niece to John F. Kennedy and Ted Kennedy. She has dedicated her life to advocating for social justice and human rights causes around the world.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

September 8, 1959: Mary Kerry Kennedy Born

On September 8, 1959, Mary Kerry Kennedy was born. She is the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, and is an American lawyer, author, and human rights activist.

Others born on this day/year

1968: Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy

In 1968, Kerry Kennedy's father, Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated, marking a significant turning point in her life.

1981: Internship with Amnesty International

In 1981, Kerry Kennedy started working in the field of human rights as an intern with Amnesty International. She investigated abuses committed by U.S. immigration officials against refugees from the Salvadoran Civil War in El Salvador.

1986: Established RFK Center Partners for Human Rights

In 1986, Kerry Kennedy established the RFK Center Partners for Human Rights to protect rights codified under the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights, providing support to human rights defenders worldwide.

June 9, 1990: Married Andrew Cuomo

On June 9, 1990, Kerry Kennedy, at age 30, married Andrew Cuomo in Washington, D.C.

1995: Birth of Twins

In 1995, Kerry Kennedy-Cuomo gave birth to twins Cara Ethel Kennedy-Cuomo and Mariah Matilda Kennedy-Cuomo.

1997: Birth of Michaela Andrea Kennedy-Cuomo

In 1997, Kerry Kennedy-Cuomo gave birth to her daughter, Michaela Andrea Kennedy-Cuomo.

2005: Divorced Andrew Cuomo

In 2005, Kerry Kennedy and Andrew Cuomo divorced after a 15-year marriage.

July 13, 2012: Found in car

On the morning of July 13, 2012, Kerry Kennedy was found in her white Lexus. A police report said Kennedy had trouble speaking, was swaying and told an officer that she may have accidentally taken a sleeping pill earlier that day.

July 2012: Car Accident

In July 2012, Kerry Kennedy allegedly sideswiped a tractor trailer on Interstate 684 in Westchester County.

July 17, 2012: Court Appearance

On July 17, 2012, Kerry Kennedy said local hospital tests found no traces of drugs and that her doctor believed she had suffered a seizure.

July 25, 2012: Toxicology Report Filed

On July 25, 2012, a toxicology report was filed which said zolpidem was found in a sample of Kerry Kennedy's blood taken when Kennedy was arrested. Kennedy said she did not remember anything after entering a highway to go to a gym and before she found herself at a traffic light with a police officer at her door.

January 23, 2014: Drugged-Driving Case to Move Forward

On January 23, 2014, Judge Robert Neary ruled that the drugged-driving case against Kerry Kennedy would move forward.

February 20, 2014: Jury Selection

On February 20, 2014, jury selection for Kerry Kennedy's trial began. Kennedy was not present, and was instead in Brussels and the Western Sahara conducting human rights advocacy.

February 28, 2014: Acquitted of Charges

On February 28, 2014, Kerry Kennedy was acquitted of the drugged-driving charges.

June 21, 2017: Posted Bail for Pedro Hernandez

On June 21, 2017, Kerry Kennedy, through Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, posted the $100,000 bail for Pedro Hernandez, a 17-year-old who had spent over a year in pretrial detention at Rikers Island.

June 21, 2018: Launched 'Break Bread Not Families' Campaign

On June 21, 2018, Kerry Kennedy joined organizations to launch the 'Break Bread Not Families Immigration Fast and Prayer Chain' in response to President Trump's family separation policy.

June 23, 2018: Held Prayer Vigil in McAllen, Texas

On June 23, 2018, the 'Break Bread Not Families' campaign, of which Kerry Kennedy was a part, held a prayer vigil in McAllen, Texas, marking the start of a campaign that encouraged activists, political figures, and celebrities to fast in protest of the Trump administration's family separation policy.

October 9, 2018: Charges against Hernandez Dropped

On October 9, 2018, all remaining charges against Pedro Hernandez, for whom Kerry Kennedy posted bail, were dropped on the condition that he attend college.