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Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy

Historical Figure

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy

d. 1999

Wife of John F. Kennedy Jr. (1966–1999)

Late 20th Century

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Biography

Carolyn Jeanne Bessette Kennedy was an American fashion publicist. She worked for Calvin Klein until her 1996 marriage to attorney and publisher John F. Kennedy Jr. Her life and fashion sense became the subjects of intense media scrutiny afterwards. The couple, along with her older sister Lauren, died in a plane crash off the coast of Martha's Vineyard in 1999.

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Timeline

The story of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, told in moments.

1966 Birth

Born Carolyn Jeanne Bessette in White Plains, New York. Her father was an architect, her mother a public school administrator. Classmates voted her the "Ultimate Beautiful Person."

1992 Life

Hired as a publicist at Calvin Klein. She managed celebrity and VIP accounts and became known in fashion circles for her understated personal style.

1996 Event

Married John F. Kennedy Jr. in a private ceremony on Cumberland Island, Georgia. Only 40 guests attended. No photos leaked for weeks.

1999 Death

Died at 33 in a plane crash off Martha's Vineyard. JFK Jr. was piloting. Her sister Lauren was also aboard. None survived.

Artifacts (9)

I actually never wanted anyone to hear those songs ever, but its cool. Ha

corded from 2002 to 2003, under the pseudonym Kid Mesc, titled Rap Hard, leaked online. On Twitter, Cudi wrote "I actually never wanted anyone to hear those songs ever, but its cool. Ha" On November...

Works Talk

I was looking at CDs, saw the gleam of a Jesus piece in the right side of my eye...

n. In 2006, Cudi ran into his future mentor, rapper and producer Kanye West, in a Virgin Megastore. He recounted in a 2009 SPIN interview, "I was looking at CDs, saw the gleam of a Jesus piece in the...

Works Talk

I needed something more original, something different, but it's still wizardry a...

renamed his band on the same occasion to 2 Be Continuum, renaming it from the original Wizard. Kid Cudi explained his reasoning saying: "I needed something more original, something different, but it's...

Works Talk

I watched the video he left for the world to see, and him seeing me in detail, i...

udi commented on his thoughts about inspiring the young kid. "I am so sad about Ben Breedlove", Kid Cudi wrote on his Tumblr blog. "I watched the video he left for the world to see, and him seeing me...

Works Talk

I remember Kanye coming in one time and I was helping him get a couple things. I...

some of his music. Cudi later ran into West again while working at the BAPE store in New York, and recalled: "I remember Kanye coming in one time and I was helping him get a couple things. I forgot to...

Works Talk

I wanted to try something new, and I wanted to take control of things myself. Th...

d. However, in an interview with Complex Magazine Cudi explained they were all still on good terms: "I wanted to try something new, and I wanted to take control of things myself. Those are still my...

Works Talk

Collaborative albums

Works Talk

WZRD

Works Talk

Kids See Ghosts

Works Talk

More from the Late 20th Century

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