Kerry Kennedy

American human rights activist and writer noted as the president of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, a non-profit human rights advocacy organization. She is the seventh child and third daughter of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel. During her 15-year marriage to now–New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, she was known as Kerry Kennedy Cuomo from 1990 to 2005. Kennedy is the niece of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Ted Kennedy.

Growing up in a political environment, she married Andrew Cuomo, son of Governor Mario Cuomo, in Washington, DC on 9 June 1990. After dating for 18 months, Cuomo proposed on Valentine's Day. They have three daughters, twins Mariah and Cara (born 1995), age Michaela (born 1997).

Cuomo ran a program to build housing for the homeless in New York state, and Kennedy worked as the Executive Director of the RFK Memorial Center for Human Rights. In 2000, her book was published, Speak Truth to Power, which spotlights 51 human rights activists. She traveled to 40 countries over two years to interview Nobel Prize winners and lesser-known crusaders.

She was age eight when her dad was assassinated and she lost two brothers of her 10 siblings; David, who overdosed on drugs in 1984 and Michael, killed in a skiing accident in 1997. Family support and a strong religious faith have helped to carry her through the rough times.

Kerry Kennedy graduated from Vermont's Putney School in 1977. During college days at Brown, she had a Summer internship with Amnesty International before her 1982 graduation. After witnessing cases of political abuse, she was determined to make a difference. She finished Boston Law School in 1986 then founded her Human Rights Center. Known for her compassion and determination, Kennedy is both direct and forceful in her work.

For recreation, the family loves to hike and spend time on the beach at Martha's Vineyard. An avid photographer, Kennedy fills the house with family pictures.