In the spring of 1964, the world watched as Jacqueline Kennedy, once America's beloved first lady, sought solace in the sun-drenched Caribbean island of Antigua. Still grappling with the heart-wrenching loss of her husband, President John F. Kennedy, Jackie hoped to find healing amidst the beauty of the island, surrounded by her inner circle, including her brother-in-law, Robert Kennedy.
Jackie and Bobby's bond had always been special, but it deepened in the wake of JFK's assassination. Paul Brandus, author of Jackie: Her Transition From First Lady to Jackie O., shared exclusively with Closer: "Bobby was always more accepting of Jackie than the other Kennedy family members. He was her protector, the one who truly understood her." Their shared grief brought them even closer, forging a connection that transcended familial ties.
When Jackie married into the Kennedy family in 1953, she entered a world unlike anything she had ever known. "The Kennedys were an extroverted family," Brandus explains. "They thrived on competition, whether it was politics, business, or sports—they loved winning." Every summer weekend at their family home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, the Kennedys would engage in fierce football games. Jackie, however, preferred to watch from the sidelines. "The other Kennedys teased her, thinking she considered herself too good for them," Brandus adds. But Bobby saw Jackie for who she truly was. "He understood her quiet nature and shared her desire for privacy," Brandus notes. "In many ways, they were kindred spirits."
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Robert’s wife, Ethel, didn’t share this affection for Jackie. "There’s no doubt Ethel was envious of Jackie's status as a global icon," Brandus reveals. Ethel wasn’t shy about mocking her sister-in-law, even going so far as to tease Jackie about her large feet—a insecurity Jackie herself harbored. Despite this, Jackie and Bobby’s bond only grew stronger.
Shared Grief: Jackie Finds Comfort in Bobby's Company
After the tragic assassination of JFK, Jackie found herself confiding in Bobby like no one else. "She was consumed by grief," Brandus recounts. "She had nightmares, cried often, and even turned to alcohol to escape her pain." At times, Jackie questioned her faith and life itself, contemplating the unthinkable—suicide. Yet, her love for her children kept her grounded. "Jackie’s devotion to her children was her anchor during this dark period," Brandus emphasizes.
Bobby, too, was devastated by his brother’s death. He became a shadow of his former self, losing weight and wandering aimlessly. "He would sneak into Arlington Cemetery at night to visit JFK's grave," Brandus shares. To cope, Bobby even wore his brother’s jacket, as if keeping a piece of JFK close to him.
Healing Together in the Caribbean
That spring, when a friend offered his Caribbean home as a retreat, Bobby joined Jackie without Ethel. "They weren’t alone; many friends accompanied them on this trip," Brandus clarifies. Yet, Jackie and Bobby spent countless hours together, discussing philosophy and grappling with the senseless tragedy that had changed their lives forever. "Jackie’s chief Secret Service agent, Clint Hill, insisted they did not have an affair," Brandus notes. "But there’s no denying the deep emotional connection they shared. In some ways, Jackie was closer to Bobby than she ever was to JFK."
