Who Was Carolyn Bessette Kennedy?

By Valentina Cauchi ‘28

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy was a woman known for her great taste in fashion. Favored for her minimalist style, perfectly-styled dirty blonde locks, and of course being the wife of John F. Kennedy Jr., she wasn’t just a style icon, she was a token of marrying into American royalty.

Carolyn, originally from White Plains, New York, graduated from Boston University in 1988 with a degree in elementary education. She grew favorable in the fashion industry

after being scouted during her work hours as an employed teenager working at a Calvin Klein at her local mall. An executive of the brand was fascinated by Carolyn’s work ethic even as a young adult and led her into the role of dealing with high-profile clients at the Manhattan showroom. Throughout her years working at Calvin Klein, her work positions gradually increased each year and as a result she made a great living for herself by earning nearly six-figures and being a high representative of the brand. 

Carolyn was thrown into the national spotlight in the early 1990s after her relationship with the son of the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy Jr. went public.

Instantly, they became a major paparazzi target. It seemed that the world was simply obsessed with the couple. Gossip columns reported every detail of their life such as where they ate, shopped and even lived. Every day, paparazzi got comfortable waiting for the “IT-couple” to walk out of their Tribeca apartment. Barely any aspect of her life was private. Carolyn, described by her friends as a reserved and shy woman, was reported to be terrified of the paparazzi but had no choice but to stand by her partner and accept the harsh reality of the life he lived. 

Carolyn Bessette became a Kennedy in September of 1996. The couple was able to pull-off a secret wedding free of paparazzi and unwanted guests. Very few pictures were released from their special day. 

Tragically, in 1999 Carolyn Bessette Kennedy passed away at the age of 33 in a plane crash off the western coast of Martha’s Vineyard along with JFK Jr. and her sister Lauren Bessette. They were on their way to a wedding when tragedy arose. Their death shook the world and left many heartbroken. 

Carolyn is remembered as being a very demure woman. She never once granted an

interview and didn’t intend to put herself out there as the world pressured her to do. Her silence may have been seen as weak or unprofessional; but really, her silence spoke volumes. Carolyn’s composure represents what real professionalism looks like, how important self-confidence is and the overall message that you don’t owe anyone anything, a message that is essential for women and girls to understand even in this new generation. Carolyn’s poise and depicted message are just as timeless as her legacy in the fashion world.

All Photos Courtesy of Pinterest

Sources: britannica.com and wikipedia.org

Edited By: Catherine Polatidis '26 and Ms. Brilliant

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