Eunice Shriver's Inspiration
by Mike KrumboltzAug 11, 2009
Early on Tuesday morning, Eunice Kennedy Shriver passed away at the age of 88. She was a sister to a president and two senators; a mother to five including former newscaster and California First Lady Maria Shriver Schwarzenegger; the wife of Robert Sargent Shriver, who created the Peace Corps; and a founder and force behind the Special Olympics. The death of Ms. Shriver sparked incredible interest in her life and times, as well as her sister and friend, Rosemary Kennedy.
Rosemary Kennedy died in 2005, but it was her difficult life that inspired the tremendous interest. Queries on "rosemary kennedy biography," "rosemary kennedy pictures," and "rosemary kennedy lifestory" all surged. Those conducting look-ups found profiles that focused on her battle with mental illness.
Her biography at the JFK Presidential Library and Museum explains that Ms. Kennedy was given a lobotomy at age 23, as authorized by her father, Joseph Kennedy. "The relatively new procedure, which at the time seemed to hold great promise, left Rosemary permanently incapacitated and unable to care for herself." Searches on "define lobotomy" surged as did similar queries for "what is a lobotomy."
In the years before her death, Rosemary Kennedy was almost something of an urban legend. The fact that she was institutionalized from 1949 until her death in 2005 at the age of 86 led many to seek more information on her life and struggles. It was these difficulties that helped to inspire Eunice to form the Special Olympics. An article from the AP explains that "Shriver was credited with transforming America's view of the mentally disabled from institutionalized patients to friends, neighbors, and athletes."
Look-ups for "kennedy family tree" also jumped in the wake of Eunice's death. The JFK Library hosts a PDF, but here are a few highlights that give you an idea of the kinds of tragedies the Kennedy clan has endured over the years: Joseph and Rose Kennedy had nine children — Joseph Jr., John, Rosemary, Kathleen, Eunice, Patricia, Robert, Jean, and Edward. Joe Jr. was killed in World War II, while John and Robert were both assassinated. Kathleen was killed in a plane crash at the age of 28. JFK Jr.'s death, decades later, echoed that tragedy.
Today, there are dozens of grandchildren carrying on the Kennedy tradition of public service. It's safe to say that Eunice was an inspiration to them all, and that Rosemary, through her struggles, played a tremendous role as well.
