The Kennedys: After Camelot

Our History Book Club audio podcast series continues in 2026! Historian Lori Spencer hosts a reading and discussion of selected chapters from “After Camelot: A History of the Kennedy Family From 1968-Present” by New York Times bestselling author and prolific Kennedy chronicler J. Randy Taraborelli. In Episode 9, we explore the decades-long family feud between the Kennedys and the Shrivers; a fierce clash of personalities, political ambitions, goals, and differing visions for the country that continues to the present day. “Sarge” Shriver, as he was known, was perhaps the most idealistic and driven New Frontiersman of them all. He founded the #PeaceCorps, Head Start, Vista, the Job Corps, and the Special Olympics, alongside his wife Eunice Kennedy Shriver. In addition to his service in President John F. Kennedy’s administration, Shriver later directed the Office of Economic Opportunity, which was a key part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. He also served #LBJ as the US Ambassador to France from 1968 to 1970. It seemed that Shriver was on-track to become president someday; an ideal heir to the #Camelot throne. The crown might not have been his by birthright, but Shriver wanted to earn it through hard work. Sarge had it all — movie star looks, charisma, personality, smarts, ambition, and a deep commitment to making the world a better, more peaceful, and more equitable place for all. So what — or WHO — held him back from achieving the presidency? The entitlement, resentment, and jealousy of his own Kennedy in-laws. In this episode we will examine Shriver’s rivalry with Sen. Edward Kennedy, his selection as George McGovern’s Vice Presidential running mate in 1972, his failed bid for the presidency in 1976, and a natural recovery from cancer that can only be described as miraculous. This episode also traces how Eunice and Sargent inspired Ted Kennedy to stop drinking, and their own children to continue the family’s work on mental retardation, AIDS prevention, and drug/alcohol addiction recovery programs. (Only one 3rd generation Shriver chose to enter politics: Maria Shriver, who served as California’s First Lady during her marriage to Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.) We’ll tell the story of Eunice’s war with her #Kennedy siblings over control of the family money, and the ugly fight over funding for the #JFK Library, the #SpecialOlympics, and the #KennedyCenter (which is newsworthy once again now, given President Trump’s recent renaming of the national performing arts center, and the president’s claims that the Kennedy family let it fall into disrepair through neglect). President #Trump‘s Secretary of Health and Human Services is #RFKJr, nephew of Eunice and Sargent Shriver. His recent controversial statements on the causes of autism and approaches to viewing people with intellectual disabilities upset his #Shriver cousins deeply, and HHS budget cuts now threaten the very existence of programs such as #HeadStart and #JobCorps — the Shriver family legacy. This episode explains why certain branches of the Kennedy and Shriver family trees still cross swords, even today in 2026. Join Lori Spencer for “The Kennedys: After Camelot” -- a continuing history book club series that explores the lives of Sen. Edward Kennedy, Eunice and Sargent Shriver, JFK’s sisters Jean and Pat, the Lawfords, the Smiths, Ethel, Jackie, and Joan Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, JFK Jr., and of course, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. as well. Listen to every episode of "The Kennedys: After Camelot" in this playlist. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXBcSYiYQxlcI6SqtEgPeYlB7MjBPUoZY&si=kxkv8HZmitf84tQZ Follow me on X: http://x.com/@RealLoriSpencer On Facebook: http://Facebook.com/RealLoriSpencer Subscribe on Rumble for UNCENSORED videos YouTube won't let me show you! http://Rumble.com/LoriSpencer My blog: http://LoriSpencer.WordPress.com My Substack: http://RealLoriSpencer.Substack.com Join as a monthly member at: http://Patreon.com/LoriSpencer http://BuyMeACoffee.com/LoriSpencer

"What a shame," Jacqueline Kennedy would later say of the horror in Dallas, "to spend so much time tormented by a thing I could never change." Indeed, what First Lady Jackie Kennedy witnessed and experienced on November 22, 1963 traumatized her deeply, causing nightmares and flashbacks for the next five years. Just when she thought she had finally turned a corner past the JFK assassination, allowed herself to love again and began to seriously consider remarrying, tragedy struck again. This time, it was the president's younger brother Bobby. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was gunned down by a Palestinian terrorist on the night RFK had claimed victory in the California presidential primary. It was Jackie who made the terrible decision to take Bobby off life support in the hospital once it became painfully clear that he would never awake from his coma. Bobby's wife Ethel simply couldn't bring herself to do it. Once again, Jackie was the strong one when inside, she felt as if she was coming apart at the seams. Only six weeks after RFK's assassination, Jackie celebrated her 39th birthday at Hyannis Port, and announced to her shocked Kennedy relatives that she would soon marry Aristotle Onassis -- a man whom both her husband and Bobby had both distrusted and detested. Jackie's fateful decision to become Mrs. Onassis shocked not only her Kennedy in-laws, but the world. News of their wedding that October was met with universal global outrage. Newspaper headlines screamed: "Jackie...how COULD you?" It seemed that no one wished her well. So, why did she choose to trade her status as the beloved widow of a national martyr for the unenviable position of second wife to a Greek tycoon? Was it just for money? Was it for the physical security of her children, as she had said after Bobby's murder? Or was it for love? The world has wondered for more than 50 years. Many books have attempted to unravel that mystery, but no author was able to tap the sources closest to both Jackie and Onassis until prolific Kennedy chronicler J. Randy Tarraborrelli managed to loosen their lips and get their stories on the record. What was their marriage really like? Join me for another fascinating chapter of J. Randy Tarraborrelli’s book “The Kennedys: After Camelot," and learn why Jackie K. became Jackie O. Listen to ALL EPISODES of this history book club series, "The Kennedys: After Camelot" in this playlist. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXBcSYiYQxlfmKsmC90spusOEuGehKdp7&si=Sy1Tm1THhSTsrxD_ Follow me on X: http://x.com/@RealLoriSpencer On Facebook: http://Facebook.com/RealLoriSpencer Subscribe on Rumble for UNCENSORED videos YouTube won't let me show you! http://Rumble.com/LoriSpencer My blog: http://LoriSpencer.WordPress.com My Substack: http://RealLoriSpencer.Substack.com Join as a channel member on YouTube or Rumble if you enjoy these book clubs! You can also support my work with a one-time or monthly donation at: http://Patreon.com/LoriSpencer http://BuyMeACoffee.com/LoriSpencer

President John F. Kennedy (whose extramarital dalliances would only publicly emerge years after his death) was fond of saying, "every time Dad had another affair, he would pin another diamond brooch on mother's dress." As the sixth of Joe and Rose Kennedy's nine children, Pat had witnessed firsthand how the #Kennedy men always got away with being unfaithful to their long-suffering wives, and when her movie star husband Peter Lawford cheated on her with Hollywood Rat Pack starlets, Pat was determined to be the first Kennedy wife to do something about it. In January 1966, Patricia Lawford broke new (and controversial) ground by becoming the first Kennedy to ever get a #divorce. In this episode we will delve into the tangled web of relationships between Patricia, Jackie and Ethel Kennedy while #JFK and #RFK were both allegedly carrying on affairs with #MarilynMonroe, arranging their secret trysts at the home of Marilyn's close friends Pat and Peter Lawford, and how this family betrayal was later rectified between the Kennedy women after JFK's assassination. We will also discuss why Peter Lawford was ousted from The Rat Pack by Frank #Sinatra after his friendship with the president was ended by Attorney General Robert Kennedy, and how his acting prospects in #Hollywood practically vanished once he was no longer married into the Kennedy family. Join me for another fascinating chapter of J. Randy Tarraborrelli’s book “The Kennedys: After #Camelot.” Listen to every episode of “The Kennedys: After Camelot” history book club series here. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXBcSYiYQxlcI6SqtEgPeYlB7MjBPUoZY&si=xRS-1ZpOwkZpR7s4

Joan Kennedy's death October 8 at age 89 marked the end of an era that became known as Camelot, the 1960s golden age of the family's influence. Gone are the glory days of Camelot and its last survivor. Joan Kennedy - gone but not forgotten. This special episode of my history book club "The #Kennedys: After Camelot" takes a look back at the remarkable -- and often troubled -- life of Joan Bennett Kennedy. For all of her many blessings, it seemed that the curses far outnumbered them. One tragedy after another befell Joan in quick succession. The assassinations of #JFK and #RFK; #Chappaquiddick, and their 12 year-old son Ted Jr.'s cancer diagnosis all happened within a single decade. Unable to cope with the stress of it all, Joan sought solace in a bottle. She was in and out of rehab for #alcoholism while at the same time expected to keep up appearances publicly during her husband Sen. #TedKennedy's political career, support him during his 1980 presidential campaign, as well as silently tolerate Ted's absenteeism from home, his womanizing, and his own drinking problem. We will also discuss Ted and Joan's 1981 divorce, her lingering love for Teddy even years after their parting, how Joan navigated the tricky territory of Ted's request of a secret Vatican annulment of their union, and his remarriage to Vicki. Even after the divorce, Joan remained a valued member of the #Kennedy clan. She closely bonded with RFK and Ethel's troubled son David and tried to help him with his addictions, even staging a family intervention meeting. Joan was heartbroken when David succumbed to an overdose in 1984. In 2005, Joan was found injured and alone on a Boston street in the rain, apparently after a drunken fall. In this episode we will unravel the bitter family feud that followed when Joan's children obtained a court ordered guardianship over Joan's affairs, and the ugly battle they waged to gain control over her $9 million dollar estate. Join me for this remembrance of #JoanKennedy in this reading and discussion of J. Randy Tarraborrelli’s book “The Kennedys: After #Camelot.” Listen to every episode of “The Kennedys: After Camelot” history book club series here. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXBcSYiYQxlfmKsmC90spusOEuGehKdp7&si=Sy1Tm1THhSTsrxD_

When her husband Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was shot and killed by an assassin right before her eyes in June 1968, Ethel was pregnant with their 11th child. At the time, Ethel could not imagine a life without Bobby — the man she had devoted her entire life to for 18 years. Bobby was her soulmate; her everything. “I love Bobby through eternity,” she once told future suitor Andy Williams. “Do you know how long eternity is? Well, it’s a hundred times longer than you think it is.” Although Ethel would try to date other men after Bobby’s death, it soon became clear enough to all of them that no one could ever replace Bobby in her heart, or her home. And why would any man in his right mind want to take over the immense challenge of playing father to 11 kids, several of whom were now unruly teenage boys partaking in drugs and constantly getting themselves into trouble? It was a big ask of any man who might be thinking of marrying #RFK’s widow, and a huge, heavy cross for Ethel to bear all by herself, but — that’s how she wanted it to be. It was a choice Ethel made not to seek another husband, to remain loyal to Bobby’s memory and raise their children as best she could. As a result, Ethel’s Hickory Hill home was a literal zoo (mainly due to RFK Jr.’s fascination with exotic animals kept as family pets). Her children were rarely disciplined, and were mostly raised by each other and an ever-changing array of nannies. Ethel seemed to find it impossible to control her large brood — especially the oldest boys Joe, Bobby Jr., and David. Nothing she tried worked, so she often resorted to the ultimate in “tough love": physical beatings, emotional abuse, and throwing them out of the house; threatening to disown them and cut them off of their family inheritances. The assassinations of their father and uncle #JFK, combined with the abuse and neglect their mother subjected them to during their youth would leave lasting, lifetime scars on the eldest sons, especially David, who died of a drug overdose in 1983, and Bobby Jr. — current Secretary of Health and Human Services for President Trump — who was a heroin addict for 14 years. The rift between #RFKJr. and Ethel never healed; she reportedly refused to see him on her deathbed and cut Bobby Jr. out of her will. Secretary #Kennedy was also shunned by his siblings at Ethel’s funeral, as revealed in a recent New York Magazine cover story. In Ep. 5, we will read and discuss this chapter about Ethel’s struggles in the immediate aftermath of RFK’s assassination from J. Randy Tarraborrelli’s book “The #Kennedys: After #Camelot.” Listen to every episode of “The Kennedys: After Camelot” series here. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXBcSYiYQxlfmKsmC90spusOEuGehKdp7&si=Sy1Tm1THhSTsrxD_

Just as Napoleon's decisive loss in the 1815 Battle of Waterloo marked General Bonaparte's final defeat and the end of the Napoleonic Wars, Chappaquiddick was Sen. Edward Kennedy's Waterloo; marking the end of his presidential chances and sounding the final death knell of Camelot. 56 years ago tonight, Ted's black Oldsmobile crashed off a small bridge on the tiny Massachusetts island of #Chappaquiddick and landed in the water. The next morning, the body of Mary Jo Kopechne — a 28 year-old woman who had worked for Ted's late brother, Robert F. Kennedy — was found inside the mostly-submerged car. What happened in those hours between midnight on July 18, 1969 and the morning of July 19 will forever remain a mystery. All we do know is that Sen. #Kennedy failed to report the accident for more than 10 hours, and not until local authorities had already discovered the car in Poucha Pond with a dead girl inside. #TedKennedy himself never offered a believable explanation for his actions that night. His own autobiography ("True Compass," published posthumously in 2009) gave the public no further details or closure. The truth about Chappaquiddick went with Teddy Kennedy to his grave. In his book "The #Kennedys: After #Camelot" author J. Randy Tarraborelli expertly pieced together the puzzle from interviews with Ted Kennedy's closest advisors, family members, witnesses, and court records -- it's packed with details never before heard, until now. Don't miss today's history book club reading of "The Kennedys: After Camelot, Episode 4 -- Teddy at Chappaquiddick." Listen to every episode of "The Kennedys: After Camelot" in this playlist. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXBcSYiYQxlcI6SqtEgPeYlB7MjBPUoZY&si=FjmxSP_a5BNfiwUU

In this new History Book Club audio podcast series, historian Lori Spencer hosts a reading and discussion of selected chapters from "After Camelot: A History of the Kennedy Family From 1968-Present" by New York Times bestselling author and prolific Kennedy chronicler J. Randy Taraborelli. This book picks up the story where Lori’s investigative true crime 13-part podcast series "Who Killed Bobby Kennedy?" left off: what happened to the #Kennedys after the assassinations of #JFK and #RFK? In Episode 3, we explore the extraordinary life and accomplishments of a man many have called “the best #Kennedy” (even though he wasn’t a Kennedy); or the “other Kennedy brother" — Robert “Sargent” Shriver, husband of Eunice Kennedy. “Sarge” as he was known, was perhaps the most idealistic and driven New Frontiersman of them all. He founded the Peace Corps, Head Start, Vista, the Job Corps, and the #SpecialOlympics, alongside Eunice. In addition to his service in President John F. Kennedy’s administration, Shriver later directed the Office of Economic Opportunity, which was a key part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. He also served #LBJ as the US Ambassador to France from 1968 to 1970. It seemed that Shriver was on-track to become president someday; an ideal heir to the Camelot throne. The crown might not have been his by birthright, but Shriver wanted to earn it through hard work. Sarge had it all — movie star looks, charisma, personality, smarts, ambition, and a deep commitment to making the world a better, more peaceful, and more equitable place for all. So what — or WHO — held him back from achieving the presidency? The entitlement, resentment, and jealousy of his own Kennedy in-laws. In this episode we will explain why certain branches of the Kennedy and Shriver family trees still cross swords, even today in 2025. President #Trump's Secretary of Health and Human Services is #RFKJr, nephew of Eunice and Sargent Shriver. His recent controversial statements on the causes of autism and approaches to viewing people with intellectual disabilities upset his Shriver cousins deeply, and HHS budget cuts now threaten the very existence of programs such as Head Start and Job Corps — the Shriver family legacy. Join Lori Spencer for "The Kennedys: After Camelot" -- a continuing history book club series that explores the lives of Sen. Edward Kennedy, Eunice and Sargent Shriver, JFK's sisters Jean and Pat, the Lawfords, the Smiths, Ethel, Jackie, and Joan Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, JFK Jr., and of course, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. as well. This history book club series is in memory of RFK's widow, the late Ethel Skakel Kennedy. Listen to ALL EPISODES of "The Kennedys: After Camelot" here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE0M1qzXbdpsFSBho4xv1fm6KSGiNvmWR&si=zglL8pmVZ6cq_PNF • The Kennedys: After Camelot Buy the book and follow along in your copy with this book club reading! https://www.amazon.com/After-Camelot-Personal-History-Family-1968-ebook/dp/B005S8O9F6 WATCH my investigative true crime series "Who Killed Bobby Kennedy" in this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE0M1qzXbdpv7buk6njq1UFEl6O_waI7r&si=MLzO6AFkY2-r2tDw Support my work with a donation or monthly membership http://LoriSpencer.wordpress.com/donate Buy a book from my wishlist for a future history book club reading here: http://GiftApp.com/RealLoriSpencer

In this new History Book Club audio podcast series, historian Lori Spencer reads and discusses selected chapters from "After Camelot: A History of the Kennedy family from 1968-Present" by New York Times bestselling author and prolific Kennedy chronicler J. Randy Taraborelli. This book picks up the story where my investigative true crime 13-part podcast series "Who Killed Bobby Kennedy?" left off: what happened to the #Kennedys after the assassinations of #JFK and #RFK? In Episode 2, we tell the sad story of Rosemary Kennedy, who was infamously subjected to a lobotomy operation at age 23 to "cure" what was most likely a mild, treatable form of #autism. The failed operation destroyed young Rosemary's brain and left her severely handicapped for the rest of her life. We will also explore how Rosemary's tragedy was covered up by the politically ambitious Kennedy family for decades, until one brave sibling -- Rosemary's sister Eunice Kennedy #Shriver -- made inclusion and proper treatment of mental and physical disabilities her life's mission and founded the #SpecialOlympics in 1968. President #Trump's Secretary of Health and Human Services is #RFKJr, nephew of Eunice and Rosemary Kennedy. His recent controversial statements on the causes of autism and plans for an autism registry database set off a firestorm of anger among disability advocates, which we will discuss in a historical context of #eugenics and outdated approaches to viewing people with intellectual disabilities. I hope you'll enjoy this excellent book along with me, as we trace every branch of the Kennedy family tree from Joe and Rose Kennedy through their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; their tragedies and triumphs, told accurately and thoroughly by the author. Join me for "The Kennedys: After Camelot" -- a continuing history book club series that explores the lives of Sen. Edward Kennedy, Eunice and Sargeant Shriver, JFK's sisters Jean and Pat, the Lawfords, the Smiths, Ethel, Jackie, and Joan Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, JFK Jr., and of course, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. as well. This history book club series is in memory of RFK's widow, the late Ethel Skakel Kennedy. Listen to ALL EPISODES of "The Kennedys: After Camelot" here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXBcSYiYQxlcI6SqtEgPeYlB7MjBPUoZY&si=uc-5eYJjZ52jKDfc Buy the book and follow along in your copy with this book club reading! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/after-camelot-j-randy-taraborrelli/1110780428 Support my work with a donation or monthly membership http://LoriSpencer.wordpress.com/donate Buy a book from my wishlist for a future history book club reading here: http://GiftApp.com/RealLoriSpencer

In this new History Book Club audio podcast series, historian @RealLoriSpencer reads and discusses selected chapters from "After Camelot: A History of the Kennedy family from 1968-Present" by New York Times bestselling author and prolific Kennedy chronicler J. Randy Taraborelli. This book picks up the story where my investigative true crime 13-part podcast series "Who Killed Bobby Kennedy?" left off: what happened to the #Kennedys after the assassinations of #JFK and #RFK? In Episode 1, we will learn how President #Kennedy's widow Jacqueline struggled with severe depression, nightmares, and PTSD following the brutal murder of her husband, and her romance with a man the Kennedys detested -- Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis -- whom she would wed just four months after Robert Kennedy's assassination in 1968. I hope you'll enjoy this excellent book along with me, as we trace every branch of the Kennedy family tree from Joe and Rose Kennedy through their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; their tragedies and triumphs, told accurately and thoroughly by the author. Join me for "The Kennedys: After Camelot" -- a continuing history book club series that explores the lives of Sen. Edward Kennedy, Eunice and Sargeant Shriver, JFK's sisters Jean and Pat, the Lawfords, the Smiths, Ethel, Jackie, and Joan Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, JFK Jr., and of course, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. as well. This history book club series is in memory of RFK's widow, the late Ethel Skakel Kennedy. Buy the book and follow along in your copy with this book club reading! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/after-camelot-j-randy-taraborrelli/1110780428 Support my work with a donation or monthly membership http://LoriSpencer.wordpress.com/donate Buy a book from my wishlist for a future history book club reading here: http://GiftApp.com/RealLoriSpencer