The president of the United States is one of the most recognized people in the world. By their side, however, is the First Lady and they become some of the most beloved individuals during the time that they are in the White House.
This included Jackie Kennedy, who was certainly a woman who proved herself to be not only a strong First Lady but a kind individual as well. Throughout the presidency and in stories of their life, you can tell that the love story was strong between her and John F. Kennedy.
Unfortunately, in November 1963, Jacqueline Kennedy’s husband was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas. Suddenly, Jackie and her children were alone and she had to learn how to take care of things. She would eventually remarry, but she continued to be a popular and well-known public figure throughout her life.
Most first ladies will put on a certain appearance but it is difficult to know exactly how they are when they are behind closed doors. We happen to get a glance into this when it comes to Jackie Kennedy, however, thanks to Clint Hill, her former bodyguard.
Jacqueline Kennedy was born as Jacqueline Lee Bouvier on July 28, 1929. Her father was a stockbroker and the family was wealthy. Jackie had many interests as a child, including painting, writing, and riding horses.
Since the family was well set financially, she got into some of the best private schools and lived most of her life in New York City and elsewhere in the Northeast. She spent a lot of time writing stories and poems and drawing illustrations.
Despite the fact that she was in some of the best schools, she still managed to get herself in trouble on occasion. This included a time when she was removed from one of her classes. The teacher said: “Jacqueline was given a D in Form because her disturbing conduct in her geography class made it necessary to exclude her from the room.”
When Jackie’s parents got divorced, she was 10 years old and her mother remarried and the family relocated near Washington DC.
After graduating from George Washington University, she worked at the Washington Times-Herald newspaper. She became a camera girl and walked around the city taking pictures of people and asking them questions.
Eventually, she met John F. Kennedy and it didn’t take them long to know that they had something between them. According to one of her friends, she knew instantly that he would have a profound influence on her life.
They were married on September 12, 1953, at a church in Rhode Island. They honeymooned in Mexico and her husband was already a senator at that point. He continued on his political path, eventually being made president of the United States.
When the Kennedys were in the White House, Jackie was 31 years old. Her husband and she shared some special moments together, including the time when he got emotional after the inauguration. During that time, a photographer caught the couple while her hand was on his chin.
“Everyone said, why didn’t Jack kiss you after, which of course, he would never do there. But you had to march out in such order that I was about eight behind him,” Jackie Kennedy explained.
“And I so badly wanted to see him before lunch, just to see him alone. And I caught up to him in the Capitol and, oh, I was just so proud of him.
“And there’s a picture where I have my hand on his chin, and you know, he’s just looking at me, and there really were tears in his eyes. Suddenly a flash came because I didn’t think there was anyone there. In the papers, it said their wife chucks him under the chin. I mean, that was so much more emotional than any kiss because his eyes really did fill with tears.”
She was a special lady, the first lady, and one that is still remembered with a smile today.