Robert F. Kennedy’s 11 Children in Order (Oldest to Youngest)

Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel had 11 children between 1951 and 1968: Kathleen Townsend, Joseph Kennedy II, Robert Kennedy Jr., David Kennedy, Mary Courtney Kennedy, Michael Kennedy, Mary Kerry Kennedy, Christopher Kennedy, Matthew Kennedy, Douglas Kennedy and Rory Kennedy. 2 of them have died and 9 are living. See Robert Kennedy’s full profile for the family context and biography.

1. 1

   Kathleen Kennedy Townsend

   b. 1951Lt. Governor of Maryland (1995–2003)

   Kathleen Kennedy Townsend was born on July 4, 1951, in Greenwich, Connecticut — the Fourth of July birthday lending a certain symbolic…

2. 2

   Joseph P. Kennedy II

   b. 1952U.S. Representative (MA-8, 1987–1999)

   Joseph Patrick Kennedy II was born on September 24, 1952, in Boston, Massachusetts — the second child of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel…

3. 3

   Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

   b. 1954U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2025–)

   Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. was born on January 17, 1954, in Washington, D.C., the third of Robert and Ethel Kennedy's eleven children.

4. 4

   ✝David Anthony Kennedy

   1955–1984

   David Anthony Kennedy was born on June 15, 1955, in Boston, Massachusetts, the fourth son of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Kennedy.

5. 5

   Mary Courtney Kennedy

   b. 1956Film Producer & Activist

   Mary Courtney Kennedy Hill was born on September 9, 1956, in Washington, D.C., the fifth of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy's eleven…

6. 6ML

   ✝Michael LeMoyne Kennedy

   1958–1997Nonprofit Director

   Michael LeMoyne Kennedy was born on February 27, 1958, in Washington, D.C., the sixth of eleven children of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel…

7. 7

   Mary Kerry Kennedy

   b. 1959Human Rights Activist

   Mary Kerry Kennedy was born on September 8, 1959, in Washington, D.C., the eighth of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy's eleven children.

8. 8

   Christopher George Kennedy

   b. 1963Businessman

   Christopher George Kennedy was born on July 4, 1963, in Washington, D.C., the ninth child of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy.

9. 9MM

   Matthew Maxwell Taylor Kennedy

   b. 1965Author & Environmental Activist

   Matthew Maxwell Taylor Kennedy was born on January 11, 1965, in Washington, D.C., the tenth child of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy.

10. 10

    Douglas Harriman Kennedy

    b. 1967Journalist & Television Reporter

    Douglas Harriman Kennedy was born on March 24, 1967, in Washington, D.C., the eleventh child of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy.

11. 11

    Rory Elizabeth Katherine Kennedy

    b. 1968Academy Award–nominated Documentary Filmmaker

    Rory Elizabeth Katherine Kennedy was born on December 12, 1968, in Washington, D.C. — six months after the assassination of her father…

Grandchildren

Robert Kennedy has 34 grandchildren recorded in this tree through 10 of these 11 children.

• Kathleen Townsend’s 4 children →
• Robert Kennedy Jr.’s 6 children →
• Christopher Kennedy’s 4 children →
• Douglas Kennedy’s 5 children →

Explore further

• Robert F. Kennedy: full profile →
• Every Kennedy by generation →
• Robert Kennedy in the Kennedy Curse timeline →