JFK assassination: Kennedy's mother Rose's 'agony' after loss of her son, 60 years ago - BBC News
BBC News- 585 views
- 22 Nov 2023
To mark the 60th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's death, revisit two exclusive BBC interviews with the US president's mother, ...
The 70 year old mother of Senator Jack Kennedy and, incidentally, of eight other children, too. Mrs. Joseph P. Kennedy well, last night.
Of course, we were overjoyed, and we were terribly excited. I think today we realize the great responsibilities which he has in this day and age.
And I'm sure that I, as a mother, shall pray as I've never prayed before.
And I know Jack will work harder than he has ever worked.
And I'm sure that he will do.
Everything possible to give us vigorous leadership.
And live up to the highest ideals.
I've just got one more question which I haven't prepared you for, Mrs. Kennedy, and that is this how, at your age and having had nine children, do you manage to look as young as you do?
Well, that's the most difficult question of all. But I think life has been very, very kind to me, and everyone has been very, very kind.
Do you feel that you are glad that your son was president, even though his life was cut short by it, or would you rather?
I couldn't answer that.
You couldn't?
No, I suppose we'd rather oh, yes, we'd much rather have him living. Oh, yes.
Is he still, in a sense, alive for you, Jack Kennedy? How you like to remember him when.
He was oh, the day of the inauguration?
Because that day we heard him make the inaugural speech and his voice was so wonderful, his speech was so great. And he didn't have his coat on.
To the cold day, but he stood out there with his voice so strong and firm and everybody was so excited and delighted. And as I said, of all the millions of women in the world, to think I was the one, that I was the mother was just overwhelming and.
Just really and even now, of course.
You can tell when I think of it. So though, as I said, it's been.
A time, I say it's like the agony and the ecstasy of Michelangelo. We've had these ecstatic moments and these tragic ones. But God intends us to be happy, I think.
So.
Thank you very much.