President Biden Honors Ethel Kennedy as a Beacon of Strength and Friendship

President Joe Biden delivered a heartfelt eulogy on Wednesday for Ethel Kennedy, the revered human rights activist and widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Describing her as “a hero in her own right,” Biden reflected on her decades of public service and the personal bond she shared with him and his family.

At the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, Biden shared poignant memories of Ethel’s impact on his life during one of its darkest periods. He recounted how she helped him navigate the aftermath of the tragic 1972 car crash that claimed the lives of his first wife and daughter, while leaving his two sons severely injured. “She got me through a time I didn’t want to stick around,” Biden said, highlighting the guidance Ethel provided during that trying time. He continued, “Like she did for the country, Ethel helped my family find a way forward with principle and purpose.”

Ethel Kennedy, who passed away last week at the age of 96, represented the enduring legacy of the “Camelot” era, a term associated with her brother-in-law John F. Kennedy’s presidency, which ended with his assassination in 1963. Robert F. Kennedy, who served as attorney general under his brother before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1964, was himself assassinated while campaigning for the presidency in 1968.

Biden has often cited Robert Kennedy as a significant inspiration throughout his political career. He has previously mentioned how Kennedy’s legacy motivated him to leave a prestigious law firm shortly after graduating to become a public defender. In a heartfelt moment during a family gathering, Biden expressed to the Kennedys, “I’ve done so in large part because I thought that’s something your dad would have done.”

The connection between the Biden and Kennedy families runs deep; they are the only two Catholic presidential families in American history. Biden frequently keeps busts of both Robert Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his desk in the Oval Office, a testament to the profound influence they have had on his life and career.

During his eulogy for Ethel, Biden fondly recalled receiving personal letters from her after his inauguration in 2021, including a whimsical Valentine’s Day card. The card featured a playful message: “I’m not Biden my time waiting for your Valentine / Because he’s no ordinary Joe.” Reflecting on the sentiment, Biden remarked, “I’ve received a lot of honors in my life, but that might be the best one I’ve ever received.”

The Kennedys remain a pivotal force in American Democratic politics, and several family members endorsed Biden’s reelection campaign earlier this year, voicing their support despite the political tensions surrounding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s third-party candidacy against Biden. After Biden paused his campaign in July, the Kennedy family subsequently backed Vice President Kamala Harris. In a surprising twist, RFK Jr. later suspended his campaign and endorsed former President Donald Trump, though he attended Ethel’s funeral without apparent interaction with Biden.

Both families are no strangers to personal tragedy. Biden, who lost his son Beau to brain cancer in 2015, drew a parallel between his family’s suffering and that of the Kennedys. With emotion in his voice, he shared, “Your mom was there then, too,” emphasizing the support Ethel offered during his time of grief.

In closing, Biden extended a message of solidarity to the Kennedy family: “To the Kennedy family, the Biden family is here for you, as you’ve always been for us.” This powerful statement encapsulated the enduring bond between the two families, rooted in shared experiences of loss, resilience, and unwavering commitment to public service.

As Ethel Kennedy is remembered, her legacy as an advocate for human rights and her deep connections with influential figures like Joe Biden will undoubtedly continue to resonate in American political life. Her passing marks the end of an era, but her spirit and dedication to justice live on through those she inspired, including the current president.