Articles referred to: “The Relentless Ordeal of Political Wives” (no author attribution), Time, October 7, 1974; “Joan Kennedy’s Road Back from Alcoholism,” by Dr. Joyce Brothers, Good Housekeeping, April 1979; “Kirk Billings, 65, Dies,” New York Times, May 29, 1981; “White House Families” (no author attribution), Life, November 1984; “Joan Kennedy: Book Contains Inaccuracies,” Associated Press, October 18, 1985; “Her Cocoon of Values,” by Jonathan Alter, Newsweek, May 30, 1994; “ ‘Forgotten Kennedy’ Ready to Assume the Mantle,” by Joe Carroll, Irish Times/World News, September 26, 1998.
PART EIGHTEEN. JACKIE: HER FINAL YEARS
I referred to my interviews with Stephen Styles, Joan Braden, Margorie Maitland, Steve Heaslip, Karen Jeffrey (June 13, 2010), Oleg Cassini, and John Carl Warnecke.
I interviewed Marta Sgubin in conjunction to the publication of her book Cooking for Madam on October 22, 1998.
There were many sources for the chapter “Vigil,” all of whom were present at Jackie’s apartment that week and all of whom wish to remain anonymous.
Volumes referred to: Remembering Jack, by Jacques Lowe; Jack and Jackie, by Christopher Anderson; Jackie After Jack, by Christopher Anderson; All Too Human, by Edward Klein; Jackie Oh!, by Kitty Kelley; Jackie’s Treasures, by Russell Condon; Cooking for Madam, by Marta Sgubin; Hollywood Is a Four Letter Town, by James Bacon; Show Business Laid Bare, by Earl Wilson; Sinatra: A Complete Life, by J. Randy Taraborrelli; Sinatra: The Man and the Myth, by Bill Adler; Where Have You Gone, Joe DiMaggio?, by Maury Allen; The Intimate Sex Lives of Famous People, by Irving Wallace et al.; RFK, by C. David Heymann; Peter Lawford: The Man Who Kept the Secrets, by James Spada; The Unabridged Marilyn, by Randall Riese and Christopher Hitchens; Crowning Glory, by Sydney Gudaroff as told to Cathy Griffin; The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys: An American Saga, by Doris Kearns Goodwin; The Kennedy Men, by Nellie Bly.
I also referred to “A Fascinating Peek at the Jackie You Never Knew,” National Enquirer, a June 21, 1994, interview with Marian Ronan, and spoke with the author personally to verify all of her quotes found within it.
The correspondence from Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Caroline Kennedy to Lady Bird Johnson can be found in the archives of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library
Articles referred to: “A Working Woman,” by Gioia Diliberto, People, June 18, 1984; “Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis—1929–1994,” People tribute issue, summer 1994; “Star Behind the Scenes,” by John F. Baker, Publishers Weekly, April 19, 1993; “Love Jackie,” by Carl Sferrazza Anthony, American Heritage, September 1994; “Jackie: By Oleg Cassini,” In Style, October 1996; “A Great First Lady,” by Bill Hoffman, New York Post, May 20, 1999; “A ‘Who’s Who’ List of Visitors,” by Alex Monsky and John Rogers, New York Post, May 20, 1999.
I referred to my extensive research for my broadcast report “Jackie Kennedy Onassis: A Life,” for Hard Copy, May 6, 1998.
Of additional interest: When Jackie Kennedy Onassis was an editor at Doubleday she was very interested in signing Diana Ross to write her autobiography. Though Diana was flattered, the idea of being so revealing about herself in a book didn’t appeal to her at that time. After she declined the offer, I was contracted to write my first book for Doubleday, which was to be called Diana: A Celebration of Her Life and Career. Perhaps not surprisingly, when I wrote to Diana Ross—whom I had known for many years—to tell her about my endeavor, she wasn’t happy about it. She didn’t contact me, though. She went straight to Jackie and asked for a meeting.
Diana and Jackie met at Jackie’s office at Doubleday on the morning of February 8, 1983. Diana was joined by Irving “Swifty” Lazar, a high-powered Hollywood literary agent. Two other Doubleday executives were in attendance, one of them being Sam Vaughn, who was Doubleday’s president at the time. Diana explained to Jackie and the others that she was opposed to any book being written about her. She said that she had changed her mind and was now interested in writing her own story. She suggested that Doubleday publish her book and cancel mine.
“What kind of book do you have in mind?” Jackie wanted to know, according to the others present.
“It would be an inspirational book,” Diana explained. “It would be an autobiography, but with no personal details whatsoever.”
When Jackie wanted to know what kind of autobiography has “no personal details whatsoever,” Diana explained that she wanted to share her views about life and love, but avoid writing about her firsthand life experiences.
“Well, that’s an idea,” Jackie offered. She didn’t sound very encouraging, though. “Perhaps we can talk about it further.” The two women then agreed to schedule a lunch to discuss the matter further.
“But, wait, what about that other book?” Swifty Lazar asked.
“Oh, we’ll work something out,” Jackie said, turning to Diana. “Don’t you worry about it.”
In the end, Doubleday decided to reject Diana’s idea and instead continue with my book. In the months that followed, I wrote my Diana Ross biography and submitted the manuscript to Doubleday. However, unbeknownst to me, Jackie and Diana had apparently agreed to a secret pact over lunch. Jackie agreed to send my manuscript to Diana for her approval. I don’t know for certain that Ms. Ross had a hand in editing it, or that she even received it. I only know that it was sent to her by Jackie Kennedy Onassis and that she had been told she could delete anything from it that she found offensive—this based on correspondence given to me years later when I was researching Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot.
At first I was a little dismayed, to say the least. However, my feeling now, more than twenty-five years later, is that Jackie Kennedy Onassis was naturally empathic about Diana Ross’s concerns. After all, both were celebrities who well understood image-making. Even though Jackie had told me that she loved knowing the secrets of celebrities, the truth was that she did not want to be responsible for those secrets being revealed. I am reminded of what she and Bobby Kennedy went through with William Manchester over his book Death of a President, which Jackie thought was far too revealing and which she fought so hard to censor. It’s the nature of most celebrities to at least attempt to control what is known about them—just as it’s in the nature of biographers not to let them do it. What’s interesting is that Jackie—and eventually her son, John—would also find themselves on the other side of the equation by working in the publishing business.
PART NINETEEN. JOHN AND CAROLYN
I referred to my interviews with Richard Bradley, Stephen Styles, Mary Cullen, Stewart Price, John Perry Barlow (1999), Jacques Lowe, Steve Heaslip, Pierre Salinger, and John Perry Barlow, as well as Cathy Griffin’s interviews with Phillip Bloch (May 20, 2010), Gayle Fee (May 22, 2010), and R. Couri Hay (July 2, 2010).
Volumes referred to: True Compass, by Edward M. Kennedy; American Son, by Richard Blow; Sweet Caroline, by Christopher Anderson; Forever Young, by William Sylvester Noonan with Robert Huber; Just Jackie, by Edward Klein; John and Caroline: Their Lives in Pictures, by James Spada.
Articles referred to: “Of Man, Myth and Might-Have-Been’s,” by Bob Adams, St. Louis Dispatch, November 22, 1988; “Lotsa Q, Little A as Kennedys Meet the Press,” by George Rush and Joanna Molloy, Daily News, November 6, 1996; “Can You Handle the Truth?,” by John Kennedy, George, March 1998; “Poster Boy for Poster Boy Behavior,” (no author attribution), Spy, March 1998; “John Jr.—Wearing Success Well,” by Katy Kelly, USA Today, May 18, 1998; “Hunk’s Roving Eye Sparked Park Spat,” by Bill Hoffman, New York Post, March 2, 1999; “Prince of the City,” edited by Maer Roshan, New York, August 2, 1999; “Kennedy Expert C. David Heymann—Do His JFK Jr. Stories Hold Up?,” by Andrew Goldman, New York Observer, August 2, 1999; “The Politics of Personality,” by Abigail Pogrebin, Brill’s Content, March 1999; “JFK Jr.’s Lover Shocks Her Hub Pals,” by Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa, Boston Herald, January 10, 2000; “Her Mother’s Daughter,” by Lynn Darling, Us Weekly, October 29, 2001; “Crazy for Carolyn,” by Tessa Namuth et
al., Newsweek, October 21, 1996; “Some Press Hounds Heel for Kennedy,” by Paul D. Colford, Los Angeles Times, November 5, 1996.
I drew from my extensive research for the two-part series I authored, “The Life and Loves of the Prince of Camelot,” Women’s Day, July 26, 1999.
I drew from John Kennedy Jr.’s comments to me at his press conference to announce George magazine in 1994.
I also drew from Larry King’s interview with Kennedy, May 22, 1999.
I drew from my research and television report “Madonna’s Blond Ambition: JFK Jr.,” for the program Hard Copy, November 6, 1995.
I drew from my research and television report “JFK Jr.’s Argument with Carolyn,” Day & Date, March 4, 1996.
PART TWENTY. MICHAEL’S STORY
I referred to my interviews with R. Couri Hay, Andy Williams, Gary Andover, and Brian Holloway.
I referred to numerous press accounts of Michael Kennedy’s troubles in the spring of 1997, including “A Betrayal in the Family,” by Pam Lambert, People, May 12, 1997; and “RFK’s Son Accussed…,” by Tracy Connor, New York Post, April 26, 1997.
Articles referred to: “JFK Jr. Surrenders His Single Status,” by Karen Thomas, USA Today, September 23, 1996; “John-John Is Gone-Gone,” by Jeanine Stein, Los Angeles Times, September 24, 1996; “Bridal Sweet,” by Tom Gliatto, People, October 7, 1996; “Kennedy Women Shine Despite Shadow of Kennedy Men,” Associated Press, May 11, 1997; “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree,” by John Kennedy, George, August 1997; “Michael Kennedy—1958–1997,” by Margery Eagen, Boston Globe, January 3, 1998; “Kennedy Family, Friends Say Farewell to Michael,” by Elizabeth Mehren, Los Angeles Times, January 4, 1998; “Ready for Some Football,” New York Daily News, January 11, 1998; “Tragedy Strikes Again,” by Nancy Gibbs, Time, January 12, 1998; “The Camelot Curse,” by Evan Thomas, Newsweek, January 12, 1998; “Kennedy Repercussions,” by Jeannie Williams, USA Today, January 14, 1998; “Death in Aspen,” by Patrick Rogers, People, January 19, 1998; “Tragic Michael’s Last Angry Spat,” by Neal Travis, New York Post, March 17, 1998; “For JFK, Jr., Marilyn Isn’t Bad Press,” by Jeannie Williams, USA Today, July 29, 1996; “We Happy Few,” by Joseph P. Kennedy II, Esquire, June 1998; “JFK Jr.’s Life in Pictures,” People commemorative issue, summer 1999; “A Letter for the Editor,” by the staff of George, George, September 1999.
I also referred to the transcripts of “Kennedy Tragedy on the Slopes,” The Geraldo Rivera Show, January 8, 1998; and “The Deadly Games the Kennedys Play,” The Geraldo Rivera Show, June 18, 1998.
PART TWENTY-ONE. A PEACEFUL TIME
I referred to my interviews with Leah Mason, and Cathy Griffin’s interviews with Andy Williams, Brian Holloway, Tammy Holloway (May 31, 2010), John Glenn, Noelle Bombardier, Mary Cullen, R. Couri Hay, and John Perry Barlow.
Volumes referred to: Moon River and Me, by Andy Williams; RFK, by C. David Heymann.
Articles referred to: “JFK Jr.’s Galpal Is Beautiful but Headstrong,” by Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa, Boston Herald, March 11, 1996; “Joan Kennedy Pleads Guilty to DUI,” Associated Press, November 7, 2000; “JFK’s Galpal Is Burned About Being in Tabloid Hell,” by Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa, Boston Herald, March 13, 1996.
I also referred to extensive research for my two-part series “Caroline Kennedy,” Woman’s Day (Australia), March 2000.
Of additional interest: Some of the comments by Kerry Kennedy, Rory Kennedy, and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend in this section and in other sections of the book are culled from my conversations with the three of them after a symposium on the legacy of the Kennedy women, part of the International Women’s Forum annual conference at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library on October 4, 1996.
PART TWENTY-TWO. CAMELOT LOSES ITS PRINCE
I referred to my interviews with Virgil McLyn (September 1, 2010), Stephen Styles (May 1, 1998, August 1, 2001), Richard Bradley (June 15, 2010), and Leah Mason. Cathy Griffin interviewed Holly Safford (May 1, 2010, May 11, 2010, July 1, 2010), Bryan Holloway (June 1, 2010), Tammy Holloway (May 31, 2000), Clint Flagg, and John Perry Barlow.
Articles referred to: “The Story of a President and His Son,” by Laura Bergquist, Look, December 3, 1963; “Joan Kennedy—‘Win or Lose, I Win,’ ” by Myra MacPherson, McCall’s, June 1980; “Edward Kennedy,” by William Greider, Rolling Stone, December 1987; “The Family Business,” by Julia Lawlor, USA Weekend, November 4–6, 1988; “Joan Kennedy’s Ode to Joy,” by Jeannie Williams, USA Today, October 30, 1992; “From Hunk Who Flunked to Media Mogul,” by Katy Kelly, USA Today, May 18, 1998; “In Search of John-John,” by Beauregard Houston-Montgomery, Playgirl, June 1998; Newsweek’s special issue devoted to Kennedy, “JFK Jr.: His Life and the Kennedy Legacy,” July 1999; Life’s special edition about JFK Jr., July 1999; “The Boy Under the Desk,” by Angie Cannon and David L. Marcus, U.S. News & World Report, July 26, 1999; “Time for Joy Ends in Dark Despair,” by Maria Alvarez, Jeane MacIntosh, and Andy Geller, New York Post, July 18, 1999; “Favorite Son, Forever Fascinating,” by Jeannie Williams, Life, July 19, 1999; “A Somber Kennedy Farewell,” by Elizabeth Mehren, Los Angeles Times, July 24, 1999; Time’s commemorative issue, July 26, 1999; “The Curse,” by Brian Kelly and Kenneth T. Walsh, U.S. News & World Report, July 26, 1999; “Kennedys Marked by Success and Tragedy,” Associated Press, USA Today, July 17, 1999; “Woman Who Won His Heart,” by Laura Italiano, New York Post, July 18, 1999; “JFK Jr., Wife Likely Dead,” by Fred Bayles, USA Today, July 19, 1999; “Data Suggests Plane Dived,” by Fred Bayles and Alan Levine, USA Today, July 20, 1999; “JFK, Jr. to Be Buried at Sea,” by Fred Bayles and Andrea Stone, USA Today, July 22, 1999; “Ashes of Kennedy Crash Victims Returned to Sea,” by Elizabeth Mehren, Los Angeles Times, July 23, 1999; “Young Pair Recalled in Simple Mass,” by N. R. Kleinfield, Daily News, July 24, 1999; “Bessette Sisters Remembered at Memorial in Home Town,” Associated Press, July 25, 1999; “JFK Jr.’s Friends Remember How Carolyn Romance Began,” by Jeannie Williams, USA Today, July 28, 1999; “Remembering John F. Kennedy, Jr.” by Richard Reeves, TV Guide, July 31–August 6, 1999; “JFK’s Final Journey,” by Evan Thomas, Newsweek, August 2, 1999; People’s special issue, August 2 1999; “Love Conquers All” (no author attribution), People, August 16, 1999; “Hour of Loss,” by Susan Schindehette, People, August 9, 1999; “John Kennedy: A Tribute,” George, October 1999; “JFK Jr. Marriage Died Before Plane Crash,” by Annette Witheridge, New York Post, November 14, 1999; “John F. Kennedy: A Remembrance,” by David Michaelis, Vanity Fair, September 1999; “Caroline Without John,” by Michelle Green, Good Housekeeping, October 1999; “Moving On,” by Jill Smolowe, People, May 29, 2000; “Final Accounting” (no author attribution), People, July 30, 2001; “Are We Still Smitten with Camelot?,” by Howard Rosenberg, Los Angeles Times, November 3, 2000.
I referred to the following volumes: American Legacy, by C. David Heymann; The Men We Became, by Robert T. Littell; The Day John Died, by Christopher Andersen.
One book that I think deserves special mention is What Remains, by Carole Radziwill. It’s a lovely and moving book about her relationship with her husband, Anthony Radziwill, and her friendship with John Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. I loved it. Ms. Radziwill’s quotes in this section are from her TV interviews promoting that work.
I drew from my extensive research for my article “Caroline Kennedy,” Star, November 15, 1999.
I referred to extensive research for my three-part series “JFK Jr.—Golden Child,” Star, August 1999.
PART TWENTY-THREE. TRANSITIONS
I referred to my interviews with Senator George Smathers, Pierre Salinger, Patricia Brennan, Joan Braden, Sancy Newman, Luella Hennessey, Leah Mason, Gore Vidal, Anthony Sherman, Betty Beale, Lem Billings, Bess Abel, James Bacon, Letitia Baldrige, Ben Bradlee, George Christian, Leo Damore, John Davis, Joseph Gargan (questionnaire), Jeanne Martin, and Joseph Paolella. I also drew from Cathy Griffin’s interviews with Webster Janssen and Karen Jeffrey.
The nun who wi
tnessed the incident in Hyannis when Rosemary Kennedy was momentarily lost asked to not be identified, and her wishes have been respected here. Also, a number of confidential sources were utilized in this section of the book to tell the story of Senator Kennedy’s battle with cancer.
Articles referred to: Teddy: Keeper of the Kennedy Flame, special magazine, by David Ragan and George Carpozi, August 1968; “An Intimate Portrait of Joan Kennedy,” by Barbara Kevles, Good Housekeeping, July 1969; “Joan’s Journey,” by Myra MacPherson, Washington Post, December 14, 1979; “The Secrets of Joan Kennedy Come to Market” (no author attribution), People, September 23, 1985; “On a Campaign Trail for the Classics,” by Robert W. Coffey, Los Angeles Times, November 26, 1992; “Bump in the Road, by Bill Hewitt, People, September 25, 2000; “Eunice Kennedy Shriver—1921–2009,” by Valerie J. Nelson and Elizabeth Mehren, Los Angeles Times, August 12, 2009.
I also referred to Newsweek’s “Special Commemorative Edition: The Last Brother: Edward M. Kennedy, 1932–2009.”
Mike Barnicle’s comments are from his article “Of Memory and the Sea,” Time, September 7, 2009. In that same issue of Time, I also drew from “The Last Lion,” by Ted Sorensen, and “How He Found Himself,” by Joe Klein.
I relied on numerous press accounts of Ted Kennedy’s endorsement of Barack Obama, too numerous to list here.
Volumes referred to: The Kennedy Curse, by Edward Klein; Living with the Kennedys, by Marcia Chellis.
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