Jacqueline Kennedy

“I am a woman above everything else”

Jackie Kennedy Onassis is a name synonymous with style, class and the 1960s. She was the quintessential style icon for the early part of the decade and was elevated to the role of 'America's Queen' following the tragic assassination of her husband, President JFK.

Jackie was born, Jacqueline Lee Bouvier in 1929. Though she had a privileged background her early childhood was marred by the divorce of her parents, John and Janet. Jackie threw herself into a world of books and horses, both of which remained lifelong passions. She was good at school and spent a year at the Sorbonne in Paris. She graduated from George Washington University with a degree in French Literature. Following her graduation she became a reporter/photographer for a local newspaper. During this time she met rising senator, John F. Kennedy. They were married in 1953 and Jackie gave birth to a daughter, Caroline, in 1957. In 1960 JFK announced he would be running for the presidency. The young couple were both popular on the campaign trail, with Jackie garnering much media coverage over her outfits. The following year JFK was inaugurated as the President of the United States. With their two young children, Caroline and John Jr. the Kennedy's moved into the White House. Jackie soon became known for her impeccable style which centred around shift dresses, boxy suits and pillbox hats. Her hairstyle become known as 'the Jackie' and was zealously copied by women everywhere. In the White House Jackie spent her time resorting the famous building, which had largely fallen to rack and ruin, and became a champion of the arts. She also proved invaluable on Presidential trips, charming locals, particularly in France as she was a fluent French speaker. Jackie also undertook trips by herself, most famously to India in 1962. It was on a trip to Texas in 1963 that JFK was shot by an assassin as he and Jackie drove through the streets in a motorcade. A devastated Jackie became the nations figurehead in the aftermath, her courage and poise much admired at the state funeral.
Jackie eventually remarried, Greek Shipping Magnate, Aristotle Onassis and following his death became a successful editor at both Viking Press and Doubleday. She passed away from cancer in 1992.

To this day Jackie remains a much loved, influential figure. She is widely regarded as the most popular American First Lady and has inspired numerous, books, films and songs. She is perhaps best known for her enduring style legacy, reflecting the classic era of 60s fashion. Whilst incredibly elegant Jackie also added a sense of youth and fun to her outfits, showing that just because you were married to the President, didn't mean you had to be dowdy before your time.

Perhaps less well known is her work restoring the White House. Jackie was instrumental in making the building a place of pride for all Americans, and spent tireless hours hunting down antique furniture owned by previous Presidents. She had a great love of history and wanted others to appreciate the history of their own country. In later life Jackie championed the cause of many New York buildings set for removal, including Grand Central Station.

The enduring image of Jackie is a grief stricken widow in a pink suit and hat. She was determined that her husband should be remembered properly by the world and she largely organised his funeral by herself. In the years following she continued to safe guard his legacy and helped create the legend of 'Camelot'. In the 1960s Jackie was a young, passionate and intelligent woman who endured unspeakable hardships all whilst under the spotlight of the world.

“What is sad for women of my generation is that they weren’t supposed to work if they had families. What were they to do when the children were grown-watch raindrops coming down the windowpane?”

SaveSave