Answer summary
Michael Skakel is related to the Kennedys by marriage: his mother is Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Attorney General and U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy. As Ethel Kennedy’s son, he is part of the prominent extended Kennedy family. Michael Skakel is not a blood relative of the descendants of Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy through the presidential line, but he is a member of the Kennedy-connected household through his mother’s marriage.
Who is Michael Skakel
Michael Skakel (born 1960) is an American figure known primarily as a member of the extended Kennedy family through his mother, Ethel Kennedy. He has maintained a private profile relative to his high-profile relatives, though his name has surfaced in legal and media contexts. His relationship to the Kennedys is maternal, rooted in the marriage of his mother to Robert F. Kennedy in 1950.
The Skakel–Kennedy marriage
Ethel Skakel became Ethel Kennedy when she married U.S. Attorney General and later U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1950. This union linked the Skakel family with the Kennedy family and produced 11 children, making Michael Skakel one of their sons. The marriage established a lasting familial connection between Michael Skakel and the Kennedys that has been widely reported in biographical sources and public records.
Key dates at a glance
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Ethel Skakel marries Robert F. Kennedy | Creates the family link between Michael Skakel and the Kennedys |
| 1968 | Robert F. Kennedy is assassinated | Ethel Kennedy remains matriarch of the household; Michael Skakel continues as her son |
| 1985 | Michael Skakel is convicted in the murder of Martha Moxley (later overturned) | Brings Michael Skakel into public view; his Kennedy connection is frequently noted in coverage |
| 2013 | Conviction vacated; not retried | Legal status changes; familial ties remain unchanged |
Family structure and relationships
Through his mother’s marriage to Robert F. Kennedy, Michael Skakel became part of a large blended family that includes prominent public figures and private individuals. His siblings include older and younger brothers and sisters who grew up in the Kennedy household. While Michael Skakel is not in the direct presidential line, his identity is inseparable from the Kennedy legacy because of his mother’s prominent role in the family and public service.
- Mother: Ethel Kennedy (born 1928), widow of Robert F. Kennedy
- Stepfather (by marriage): Robert F. Kennedy (1925–1968)
- Siblings: Several half-siblings from the Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy marriage
- Kennedy relatives by maternal connection: Uncles including John F. Kennedy and Ted Kennedy; cousins with the Kennedy surname
Legal history and public attention
Michael Skakel gained significant media attention in the 1980s and 1990s due to his criminal case involving the 1975 murder of Martha Moxley. His 1985 conviction and subsequent legal battles kept his name in the public sphere, where his Kennedy family ties were frequently mentioned. In 2013, his conviction was vacated on appeal, and he was not retried. Throughout legal proceedings, journalists and commentators noted that he is the son of Ethel Kennedy, thereby connecting him directly to the Kennedys in biographical summaries.
Distinguishing by blood versus marriage
It is important to distinguish between blood relations and relationships formed by marriage. Michael Skakel is a blood relative of no Kennedys in the presidential lineage; his connection is through his mother’s marriage to Robert F. Kennedy. By contrast, his older half-brothers and sisters are both blood and legal relatives of the Kennedys through the same marriage. For clarity:
Relationship type breakdown
| Relation Type | Example | Connection to Kennedys |
|---|---|---|
| By marriage (maternal) | Michael Skakel | Son of Ethel Kennedy, stepson of Robert F. Kennedy |
| By blood and marriage | Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kathleen Kennedy Townsend | Children of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy |
| By blood (paternal) | Not applicable to Michael Skakel | Descendants of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. through the presidential line |
Private life and legacy context
Michael Skakel has largely lived out of the public eye, focusing on private pursuits rather than public roles or advocacy associated with the Kennedy name. In coverage of his legal matters and rare public statements, his familial relationship to the Kennedys is commonly referenced as contextual background. Ethel Kennedy has remained an active philanthropist and matriarch, and her children from the marriage continue to be identified with the Kennedy legacy, whether or not they hold public roles.
Common questions and clarifications
- Is Michael Skakel a Kennedy by blood? No; his connection is through his mother’s marriage to Robert F. Kennedy.
- Does Michael Skakel use the Kennedy surname? He uses the surname Skakel rather than Kennedy publicly.
- Are his children considered Kennedys? They are members of the extended Kennedy family by virtue of their mother and grandmother, but they carry the Skakel surname.
- Has Michael Skakel ever held a role in public office? No; he has not held elected or appointed public office.
Summary
Michael Skakel is related to the Kennedys through his mother, Ethel Kennedy, who married Robert F. Kennedy in 1950. This makes him a stepson of Robert F. Kennedy and a member of the extended Kennedy family, though not a blood relative of the presidential lineage. His legal history and rare public appearances have kept his name linked with the Kennedys in media coverage. The family connection remains significant in biographical summaries, even as he has largely lived privately.
Related topics to explore
- Ethel Kennedy biography and legacy
- Robert F. Kennedy family tree
- Skakel family background and history
Kennedy family relationships can be complex due to marriages, adoptions, and generational branches. Michael Skakel’s connection is a clear example of how marriage integrates one into the Kennedy extended family without creating a blood link to the presidential line.