Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has lived a life filled with deep love, heartbreaking loss, and an inspiring second chance at happiness.
His romantic story includes a challenging marriage that ended in tragedy and a later union with someone from a very different world. Here’s a look at his journey.
A Unique Wedding on the Hudson River
In April 1994, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., then 40, married Mary Richardson, 34, in a one-of-a-kind ceremony. The wedding took place on a boat near Stony Point, New York, on the Hudson River.
A New York State Supreme Court justice officiated after a Roman Catholic Mass.
Family and friends joined the celebration, including Kennedy’s two children from his first marriage to Emily Black. The reception was a picnic on a research vessel tied to Hudson Riverkeeper, where Kennedy worked as an environmental attorney.
Mary, an architectural designer, was already pregnant with their first child, born in July 1994. She had close ties to the Kennedy family, having been maid of honor at Kerry Kennedy’s 1990 wedding.
Over the years, the couple welcomed three more children. Mary focused on raising them while turning their Bedford, New York, home into a sustainable, energy-efficient space.
But despite their shared values, the marriage hit rough patches. By 2010, Kennedy filed for divorce, though it was never finalized.
Struggles and a Tragic End
Robert and Mary’s 16-year marriage faced growing strain. Around the time of their divorce filing, Mary’s personal challenges came into the spotlight.
She struggled with substance abuse for years. In May 2010, police arrested her for driving under the influence after her car jumped a curb near their home.
Her blood alcohol level was 0.11%, above the legal limit, and her license was suspended.
Later that year, she faced another DUI charge linked to prescription medication. A judge dismissed the case in July 2011, ruling she didn’t know how the medication affected her driving.
Friends and family still spoke warmly of Mary. Ethel Kennedy, Robert’s mother, praised her as a devoted mom to children with severe allergies. Kerry Kennedy called her a kind, loyal friend. Neighbors loved her community spirit.
On May 16, 2012, tragedy struck. Mary was found dead in a barn behind their Bedford home. The Westchester County Medical Examiner ruled her death as asphyxiation by hanging. She left a note, but its contents stayed private.
Her death became another chapter in the Kennedy family’s long history of loss, joining the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, and the 1999 plane crash that killed John F. Kennedy Jr.
Finding Love Again with Cheryl Hines
After Mary’s death, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. kept up his environmental and political work. In time, he found love again with Cheryl Hines, an actress famous for Curb Your Enthusiasm. Unlike Kennedy’s storied family, Cheryl came from a working-class background.
Born in 1965 in Miami Beach, Florida, Cheryl grew up in Tallahassee. After her parents divorced, she shared a room—and a bed—with her mom during high school.
She chased her acting dreams at the Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles, training under Lisa Kudrow. That hard work led to her big break on HBO.
Robert and Cheryl’s bond grew despite their different roots. On August 2, 2014, they married at the Kennedy family compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. The small ceremony included close family and friends, like Ethel Kennedy.
They had planned a simple City Hall wedding, but Ethel encouraged a family event instead. Cheryl wore a strapless Romona Keveza gown with pearl beads, unknowingly inspired by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ style.
A funny moment came when Ethel’s dog strolled down the aisle before Cheryl.
With this marriage, Cheryl joined one of America’s most famous families. Over the years, she and Robert built a strong partnership.
A Decade of Love
In August 2024, Robert and Cheryl celebrated 10 years of marriage. Cheryl posted a touching message online, thanking him for a life full of “love, laughter, joy, and adventure.”
“In my darkest hours, you bring me light. I love you,” she wrote.
Cheryl stays active on social media, where fans adore her grace and charm. For Robert F. Kennedy Jr., life with Cheryl has brought stability and joy after years of tragedy.
Together, they continue their journey, balancing personal happiness with his ongoing work.
