For many, John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy will always be thought of as American royalty.
They may be gone but their impact on American history is enduring. Jackie and JFK could have easily been Hollywood stars but their path led them to the White House where they forever changed America’s political and cultural landscape.
We know about Jackie’s impeccable style and grace and JFK’s strong character, but there are many details that are not so well known.
Here are 8 facts about Jackie and JFK that you might not know.
1. They were both writers
JFK won a Pulitzer Prize for his book, Profiles in Courage in 1957. Although it was revealed that he had the help of two other writers, he did write drafts of the first and last chapters. There are reports that he was working on a spy novel that included Johnson as one of the characters.
Jackie worked as a reporter and photographer for the Washington Times before she was married. She was very motivated to work for fear that she might be stuck as a housewife.
She even interviewed Nixon many years before he would run against her husband in the presidential election. She did become an author of a book and kept her job as an editor from 1975 until her death in 1994.
2. JFK loved a good cigar
Although he signed the Proclamation 3447, banning all Cuban products from the U.S., JFK made a point to secure an order for 1,000 Petit Upmann cigars. This was his brand of choice.
3. JFK’s many last rites
It may surprise you to know that JFK was administered last rites times before his assassination in Dallas, TX.
He was close to death on many other occasions including being diagnosed with Addison’s disease and undergoing surgery for back problems. He was given his last rites in Massachusetts, England, Japan, New York, and in Dallas after his tragic fatal shooting.
4. Jackie spoke multiple languages
Many don’t realize that Jackie was fluent in Spanish, French, Italian, and Polish. Her language skills were a huge help to JFK before and during elections. She often used her skills to deliver speeches and to film campaign ads for her husband.
5. Jackie’s preferred wedding dress
One of the qualities that Jackie was most known for was her style. It was sleek, modern, and timeless. There were rumors that she preferred a very specific wedding dress but was persuaded to wear a traditional white dress with a very long train made of lace.
She apparently despised this dress. It’s possible she would have gone with something like the one pictured below from 1961.
6. School at the White House
After her daughter Caroline was bombarded with media attention while walking to school each morning, Jackie created a school within the White House.
This school was very unique as it included a small group of integrated students including White House staffers and high-profile guests.
7. Earlier assassination attempts
People may not realize that JFK was the target of at least four other assassination attempts prior to that fateful day in Dallas. Richard Pavlick’s plan to detonate a car near the president was partially carried out.
Pavlick’s plan wasn’t fully executed because he changed his mind after seeing that JFK had his young family with him at the time. There were other plots uncovered in Florida and Illinois.
8. Jackie was an Emmy winner
Have you seen the historic footage from the 1962 tour of the newly renovated White House? This clip of the White House TV Special really captures Jackie’s poise and intelligence. Jackie won an honorary Emmy for the tour and the world was immediately enchanted.
It is astonishing how these two individuals continue to inspire and influence the world long after their deaths. What is also incredible is that we continue to learn new things about them even today. They will always be American Royalty.
See a clip of Jackie giving her iconic White House tour in the video below!
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