Often described as American royalty, John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy captivated the public with their style and grace, fitting roles as President and First Lady as seamlessly as they might have Hollywood stars. While their lives were lived under intense media scrutiny, several intriguing facts about this influential couple remain surprising.
8) They Both Pursued Writing
Both John and Jackie had a strong affinity for writing. JFK was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1957 for his book Profiles in Courage, though it was later revealed he enlisted significant help from two writers and only composed drafts for the first and final chapters. He was also rumored to have worked on a spy novel.
Jackie held a serious regard for her career. She initially broke off an engagement to avoid being pressured into becoming a housewife. Before marrying JFK, she worked as an inquiring photographer and reporter for the Washington Times-Herald, even interviewing Richard Nixon years before he would oppose her future husband. She authored a book, declined a prestigious editor position at Vogue, and worked as a book editor from 1975 until her death in 1994.
7) Jacqueline Was Multilingual
Jacqueline Kennedy was fluent in several languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, and Polish. She utilized this skill to deliver speeches abroad and film Spanish-language campaign ads for her husband, serving as a significant asset throughout his political career. JFK, by contrast, only spoke English.
6) JFK’s Last-Minute Cigar Order
President Kennedy was a dedicated fan of Petit Upmann cigars from Cuba. Mere hours before signing the 1962 proclamation that enacted a trade embargo and banned all Cuban products, he asked his press secretary, Pierre Salinger, to procure 1,000 of these cigars. Salinger secured 1,200, and JFK signed the proclamation shortly after they were delivered.
5) The White House School
Unhappy with the media frenzy that followed her daughter Caroline on her daily commute, Jackie established a school within the White House. This innovative school provided a peaceful learning environment for a small, integrated group of students, including the children of White House staff and occasional high-profile guests.
4) Jackie Won an Emmy Award
Jacqueline Kennedy received an honorary Emmy Award for her televised 1962 tour of the restored White House, a broadcast that fascinated the nation. At the time, Lady Bird Johnson accepted the award on her behalf.
3) Previous Assassination Plots
Prior to the tragic events in Dallas, JFK was the target of at least four other assassination attempts. In one instance, would-be assassin Richard Pavlick abandoned his plan to detonate a dynamite-filled car when he saw the President with his young family. Other plots were uncovered in Florida and Illinois.
2) Multiple Administrations of Last Rites
Before his assassination, John F. Kennedy received the Catholic last rites five times. Due to severe health struggles, including Addison’s disease and major back surgeries, he neared death on several occasions in locations ranging from Massachusetts and New York to England and Japan.
1) The Wedding Dress She Disliked
For her wedding day, Jackie had initially chosen a sleek, modern dress. However, her family persuaded her to wear a very traditional gown made of ivory taffeta, featuring a voluminous skirt, a long train, and an elaborate lace veil—an outfit she reportedly disliked.
The legacy of the Kennedys profoundly shaped the nation. JFK’s policies and global image elevated America’s standing, while Jackie’s unique combination of fashion sense and diplomacy established her as a woman of both style and substance. Although his assassination remains a national trauma, we continue to discover new details about these iconic figures who defined an era.