Joan Kennedy, the first wife of the late U.S. Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy and a longtime public figure in Massachusetts, has died at her home in Boston at the age of 89. A family spokesperson confirmed that she passed away peacefully in her sleep early Wednesday morning, closing a chapter on a life marked by artistry, public visibility, personal challenge, and decades of advocacy for addiction and mental-health services.

Born Virginia Joan Bennett on September 2, 1936, in Bronxville, New York, she grew up in a family that valued education, culture, and music. She studied classical piano from an early age and eventually developed into an accomplished performer. Her musicianship became one of her most recognizable qualities during her years in the national spotlight.

Joan met Ted Kennedy in 1957 while he was attending law school and she was working as a model and musician. They married the following year, just months before Ted launched his political career in earnest. When Ted Kennedy won election to the U.S. Senate in 1962 to fill the seat previously held by his brother, President John F. Kennedy, Joan Kennedy was suddenly thrust into the national public eye during a time of rapid political change for the Kennedy family.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, she played a visible role at campaign events, state functions, and public appearances. Known for her poise and classical training, she often performed piano recitals at charity events and cultural gatherings. Her presence helped shape the family’s public image during key political moments, including Ted Kennedy’s early Senate campaigns.

Joan and Ted Kennedy had three children: Kara, born in 1960; Edward Jr., born in 1961; and Patrick, born in 1967. While the couple’s public life was often defined by political demands and media attention, family acquaintances have frequently noted Joan’s dedication to her children, especially during periods when Senator Kennedy’s responsibilities kept him in Washington.

Despite the polished public image, Joan faced significant personal challenges. She struggled with alcoholism for much of her adult life. Her difficulties became more widely known in the 1970s, a time when public discussion about addiction — particularly among public figures — was rare. Joan Kennedy later spoke openly about her recovery journey and the toll addiction had taken on her health and family. Her willingness to acknowledge these struggles made her one of the early prominent women in American public life to address substance-use issues candidly.

The couple divorced in 1983 after 24 years of marriage. Following the separation, Joan Kennedy stepped back from the political sphere, focusing instead on her health, her family, and various cultural and charitable interests. She maintained her connection to music and continued to support arts organizations in Boston and beyond.

In subsequent years, she became increasingly active in advocating for addiction treatment and greater awareness of mental-health issues. While her involvement was often quiet and not tied to formal organizations, she supported programs that encouraged access to recovery resources and offered assistance to families dealing with similar challenges. Friends and advocates who worked with her have described her as thoughtful, compassionate, and committed to ensuring that others had the support systems she often struggled to find.

Her role as a mother remained central to her life. She was deeply invested in her children’s successes and supported them through professional and personal milestones. Joan experienced profound loss in 2011 with the death of her daughter Kara at age 51, an event that family friends described as immensely difficult for her. Despite personal health challenges in her later years, she continued to maintain close relationships with her surviving sons, Edward Jr. and Patrick.

Joan Kennedy also remained connected to the extended Kennedy family, attending gatherings, private memorials, and milestone events when her health allowed. Her history with the family placed her at the intersection of some of the most significant political and cultural moments in modern American history. Though she stepped away from politics decades ago, she continued to be recognized as part of the legacy of one of the nation’s most prominent political families.

In her final years, Joan Kennedy lived quietly in Boston. She continued to receive care for her longstanding health conditions and maintained a low public profile. Those who knew her during this period described her as reserved but gracious, continuing to enjoy music and remaining engaged with close friends and family.

News of her passing prompted reflections on both her public and private contributions. Many noted that her openness about addiction and mental-health challenges helped reduce stigma at a time when such conversations were uncommon. Her work as an advocate, though not always highly publicized, resonated with community organizations focused on expanding access to treatment.

Cultural institutions in Boston also acknowledged her support of the arts. Classical musicians and arts groups recalled her presence at local events and her continued interest in performance and arts education.

Funeral arrangements and details about public services have not yet been released. The family has asked for privacy as they mourn and remember her life.

Joan Kennedy is survived by her sons, Edward Kennedy Jr. and Patrick J. Kennedy, as well as several grandchildren. Her life, shaped by both public visibility and deeply personal challenges, leaves a nuanced legacy of resilience, cultural contribution, and advocacy.