Joan Kennedy, the former wife of Sen. Edward “Ted” Kennedy, died Wednesday.
She was 89.
Here death was confirmed in a statement by her son, Patrick Kennedy, and his wife, Amy.
“Mrs. Kennedy was a classically trained pianist, an advocate for mental health and addiction recovery, and a quiet pioneer in publicly addressing challenges with alcoholism and depression at a time when few others would,” the couple said in the statement.
“Her courage and candor helped break stigma and inspired others to seek help and healing. Her impact on the arts, mental health advocacy, her beloved Boston community, and the nation will be remembered by many,” the statement continued.
Joan Kennedy divorced the senator in 1983 after a marriage fraught with scandals, including the Chappaquiddick accident.
In 1969, he drove his car off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island, resulting in the death of his female passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne.
The senator swam to safety, but waited hours before contacting police. He later pleaded guilty to charges of fleeing the scene of a crash.
They had three children — Kara Kennedy, who died in 2011, Edward M. Kennedy Jr. , and Patrick.
She became one of the first women to publicly talk about her struggles with alcoholism and depression, ABC News reported.
“I will always admire my mother for the way that she faced up to her challenges with grace, courage, humility, and honesty,” Ted Kennedy Jr. said in a statement. “She taught me how to be more truthful with myself and how careful listening is a more powerful communication skill than public speaking.”
