Mary Kerry Kennedy is an American lawyer, author, and human rights activist. She is the seventh child of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Kennedy and was married to former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. She is the president of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, a non-profit organization advocating for human rights.
September 8, 1959: Birth of Mary Kerry Kennedy
Mary Kerry Kennedy was born on September 8, 1959, in Washington, D.C., to Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Kennedy.
1963: Appearance in "Crisis: Behind a Presidential Commitment"
At age 3, Kerry Kennedy appeared in the Robert Drew documentary "Crisis: Behind a Presidential Commitment." In the film, she can be seen greeting U.S. Justice Department official Nicholas Katzenbach over the phone from her father's office.
1968: Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy
Kerry Kennedy's father, Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated in 1968.
1981: Human Rights Internship at Amnesty International
In 1981, Kerry Kennedy began her work in human rights as an intern with Amnesty International. She investigated abuses committed by U.S. immigration officials against Salvadoran refugees of the Salvadoran Civil War.
1986: Establishment of RFK Center Partners for Human Rights
Kerry Kennedy founded RFK Center Partners for Human Rights in 1986 to protect the rights outlined in the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights.
June 9, 1990: Marriage to Andrew Cuomo
On June 9, 1990, Kerry Kennedy married Andrew Cuomo at age 30 in the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, DC.
1990: Marriage to Andrew Cuomo
Kerry Kennedy married Andrew Cuomo in 1990.
1995: Birth of Twin Daughters
In 1995, Kerry Kennedy gave birth to twin daughters, Cara Ethel Kennedy-Cuomo and Mariah Matilda Kennedy-Cuomo.
1997: Birth of Daughter Michaela
In 1997, Kerry Kennedy gave birth to her daughter, Michaela Andrea Kennedy-Cuomo.
2001: Woman of the Year by Save the Children
In 2001, Kerry Kennedy was named Woman of the Year by Save the Children.
2005: Divorce from Andrew Cuomo
In 2005, Kerry Kennedy and Andrew Cuomo divorced.
2005: Divorce from Andrew Cuomo
Kerry Kennedy and Andrew Cuomo divorced in 2005.
2008: Publication of 'Being Catholic Now'
In 2008, Kerry Kennedy published 'Being Catholic Now', a book containing essays from prominent Catholics about change in the Church and the quest for meaning.
2008: Eleanor Roosevelt Medal of Honor and Thomas More Award
In 2008, Kerry Kennedy received the Eleanor Roosevelt Medal of Honor and the Thomas More Award from Boston College Law School.
2009: Human Rights Award
In 2009, Kerry Kennedy received the Human Rights Award from World Vision and International AIDS Trust.
2009: Public Relations for Chevron Lawsuit Plaintiffs
In 2009, Kerry Kennedy was hired to handle public relations for Ecuadorian plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Chevron Corporation regarding environmental and human health damages from the Lago Agrio oil field. After traveling to Ecuador, Kennedy criticized Chevron in a Huffington Post article without disclosing her paid involvement with the plaintiffs.
February 2010: Payment Received from Plaintiffs
In February 2010, Kerry Kennedy was reportedly paid $50,000 by the lead American lawyer for the plaintiffs in the Chevron lawsuit.
June 2010: Budgeted Payments and Expenses
In June 2010, the law firm representing the plaintiffs in the Chevron case reportedly budgeted $10,000 per month for Kennedy's services, along with $40,000 for her expenses.
July 13, 2012: Arrested After Sideswiping a Tractor Trailer
On July 13, 2012, Kerry Kennedy was found in her white Lexus after allegedly sideswiping a tractor trailer. She had trouble speaking, was swaying, and told an officer that she may have accidentally taken a sleeping pill earlier that day.
July 2012: Kennedy Allegedly Sideswipes Tractor Trailer
In July 2012, Kerry Kennedy allegedly sideswiped a tractor trailer on Interstate 684 in Westchester County. She was charged by state police with leaving the scene of an accident.
July 17, 2012: Kennedy Pleads Not Guilty
On July 17, 2012, Kennedy appeared in court and stated that local hospital tests found no traces of drugs and that her doctor believed she had suffered a seizure. She pleaded not guilty to driving while impaired.
July 25, 2012: Toxicology Report Reveals Zolpidem in Kennedy's System
On July 25, 2012, a toxicology report revealed that zolpidem was found in a sample of Kennedy's blood taken when she was arrested. Following this, Kennedy released a statement admitting to having trace amounts of a sleep aid in her system and expressing deep regret for endangering others.
2012: Disclosure of Paid Advocacy
Kerry Kennedy's paid advocacy on behalf of the plaintiffs in the Chevron lawsuit was not made public until 2012.
January 23, 2014: Judge Rules Drugged-Driving Case Against Kennedy Will Move Forward
On January 23, 2014, Judge Robert Neary ruled that the drugged-driving case against Kerry Kennedy would move forward, despite acknowledging her achievements and dedication to good works. The judge expressed concern that dismissal might lead the public to believe in a dual justice system.
February 20, 2014: Jury Selection for Kennedy's Trial Begins
On February 20, 2014, jury selection began for Kerry Kennedy's trial. Kennedy was not present, instead conducting human rights advocacy in Brussels and the Western Sahara. Her sister Rory testified to her reputation for sobriety and healthy living, while their mother Ethel and brothers Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Douglas Harriman Kennedy were present in the courtroom.
February 28, 2014: Kennedy Acquitted of Drugged-Driving Charges
On February 28, 2014, Kerry Kennedy was acquitted of the drugged-driving charges against her. Her attorney, Gerald Lefcourt, questioned the prosecution's motives, while prosecutors defended their actions, stating that the case was treated no differently from any other.
March 3, 2014: Kennedy Criticizes Westchester County's Prosecution Practices
On March 3, 2014, Kerry Kennedy appeared on NBC's Today and criticized Westchester County for prosecuting individuals believed to be innocent based on county protocol requiring all cases to be pursued.
June 9, 2016: Passage of "Kalief's Law" by New York State Assembly
On June 9, 2016, the New York State Assembly passed "Kalief's Law" (S 5998-A/A 8296-A), advocating for speedy trials for defendants in pretrial detention. Kerry Kennedy had actively campaigned for this legislation.
June 21, 2017: Bail Payment for Pedro Hernandez
On June 21, 2017, Kerry Kennedy's organization, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, posted the $100,000 bail for Pedro Hernandez, a 17-year-old who had been held in pretrial detention at Rikers Island for over a year. Hernandez's case had become a focal point for bail reform efforts.
2017: Medal for Social Activism
In 2017, Kerry Kennedy received the Medal for Social Activism from the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Bogota, Colombia for "her impactful efforts on communities throughout the world as a result of her life-long devotion to the pursuit of equal justice."
2017: Reintroduction of "Kalief's Law"
In 2017, State Senator Daniel L. Squadron reintroduced "Kalief's Law" as S 1998-A in the New York State Legislature.
2017: Continued Advocacy for Speedy Trial Reform
In 2017, Kerry Kennedy continued to be a prominent advocate for speedy trial reform in New York, writing an op-ed in the New York Daily News emphasizing the importance of upholding the right to a speedy trial.
June 21, 2018: Launch of 'Break Bread Not Families Immigration Fast and Prayer Chain'
On June 21, 2018, Kerry Kennedy joined organizations to launch the 'Break Bread Not Families Immigration Fast and Prayer Chain' campaign in response to President Donald Trump's 'zero-tolerance' policy of family separation on immigrants. The campaign, which raised funds to support the reunification of immigrant families, argued Trump administration policy was "not only immoral, it is also illegal under U.S. and international law."
June 23, 2018: Prayer Vigil for 'Break Bread Not Families' Campaign
On June 23, 2018, the Break Bread Not Families campaign held a prayer vigil in McAllen, Texas, marking the start of the campaign which encouraged activists, political figures, and celebrities to fast for 24 hours before passing the fast to another public figure.
July 18, 2018: 'Break Bread Not Families' Campaign Fundraising Results
On July 18, 2018, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights spokesman Max Burns reported that the 'Break Bread Not Families' campaign had raised "nearly $40,000 to support undocumented families seeking their children...from over 650 small, individual donors."
October 9, 2018: Charges Dropped Against Pedro Hernandez
On October 9, 2018, all remaining charges against Pedro Hernandez were dropped, contingent upon his enrollment in college. Hernandez had been represented by Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, which argued for his release from pretrial detention.
2018: Publication of 'Robert F. Kennedy: Ripples of Hope'
In 2018, Kerry Kennedy published 'Robert F. Kennedy: Ripples of Hope: Kerry Kennedy in Conversation with Heads of State, Business Leaders, Influencers, and Activists about Her Father's Impact on Their Lives'. The book explores how Robert F. Kennedy's legacy touched the fields of entertainment, politics, faith, and activism through interviews with prominent individuals.
2018: Continued Advocacy for Speedy Trial Reform
Kerry Kennedy continued her advocacy for speedy trial reform in New York throughout 2018.
2024: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Presidential Candidacy
In 2024, Kerry Kennedy's brother, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced his candidacy for President of the United States as an independent candidate. Kerry Kennedy and other family members supported President Biden instead.