Caroline Kennedy#Works published

Caroline Bouvier Kennedy was born on November 27, 1957, at New York Hospital to Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, then a U.S. senator from Massachusetts. She is named after her maternal aunt, Lee Radziwill, and maternal great-great-grandmother, Caroline Ewing Bouvier. A year before Kennedy's birth, her parents had a stillborn daughter, Arabella. Kennedy had a younger brother, John Jr., who was born two days before her third birthday in 1960. Another brother, Patrick, died two days after his premature birth in 1963. Kennedy lived with her parents in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. during the first three years of her life.{{cite magazine| url=http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/homes/5-georgetown-locations-rich-in-kennedy-history| title=5 Georgetown Locations Rich in Kennedy History| last=Joynt| first=Carol Ross|date=August 22, 2012| magazine=Washingtonian| access-date=March 21, 2015}}

File:John,_Jackie_and_Caroline_Kennedy,_1960.jpg and Jacqueline, in 1960]]

When Kennedy was three years old, the family moved to the White House after her father was sworn in as president of the United States. Kennedy was often photographed riding her pony "Macaroni" around the White House grounds. One such photo in a news article inspired singer-songwriter Neil Diamond to write his song, "Sweet Caroline", which he revealed when performing it for Caroline's 50th birthday.{{cite news | url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/neil-diamond-caroline-kennedy-inspired-sweet-caroline | title=Neil Diamond: Caroline Kennedy Inspired 'Sweet Caroline' | publisher=Fox News | date=November 20, 2007 | access-date=December 19, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919120429/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312306,00.html | archive-date=September 19, 2008 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }} As a small child, Kennedy received numerous gifts from dignitaries, including a puppy from Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and a Yucatán pony from Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/06/26/archives/caroline-kennedy-shares-white-house-with-a-menagerie.html?sq=%2522caroline%2520kennedy%2522%2520tex%2520%2520pony&scp=3&st=cse| title=Caroline Kennedy Shares White House with a Menagerie |newspaper=The New York Times| format=paid archive| page=33| date=June 26, 1961}} A short-lived comic strip was created about her,[https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1963-07-06_96_27/page/46/mode/2up?q=%22miss+caroline%22 Little 'Miss Caroline' Laughs in White House], in Editor & Publisher, vol. 96, no. 27; published July 6, 1963; p. 47; via archive.org and she was the namesake of the British pirate radio station Radio Caroline, founded in 1964.{{Cite news |last=Garfield |first=Simon |date=March 8, 2009 |title=When pop pirates ruled Britannia's airwaves |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2009/mar/08/pirate-radio-johnnie-walker |access-date=June 19, 2024 |newspaper=The Observer |issn=0029-7712}}

Historians described Caroline's childhood personality as "a trifle remote and a bit shy at times" yet "remarkably unspoiled."Heymann, p. 66. "She's too young to realize all these luxuries", her paternal grandmother, Rose Kennedy, said of her. "She probably thinks it's natural for children to go off in their own airplanes. But she is with her cousins, and some of them dance and swim better than she. They do not allow her to take special precedence. Little children accept things".{{cite magazine| title=People| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,896441,00.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229105503/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,896441,00.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=December 29, 2008|magazine=Time| date=August 3, 1962 }}File:JFK with Caroline on the Honey Fitz, 1963.jpg at age five, August 25, 1963.]]When Kennedy's father was assassinated in 1963, nanny Maud Shaw took her and John Jr. from the White House to the home of their maternal grandmother, Janet Bouvier Auchincloss, who insisted that Shaw be the one to tell Kennedy about her father's assassination. That evening, Kennedy and John Jr. returned to the White House, and while Kennedy was in bed, Shaw broke the news to her. Shaw soon found out that Jacqueline had wanted to be the one to tell the two children, which caused a rift between Shaw and Jacqueline.Heymann, pp. 110–114. On December 6, two weeks after the assassination, Jacqueline, Caroline, and John Jr. moved out of the White House and returned to Georgetown.{{cite news| url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1963/12/07/89986491.pdf| title=Mrs. Kennedy is in new home; declines 3-acre Arlington plot| last=Hunter| first=Marjorie| date=December 7, 1963| work=The New York Times| pages=1, 13| access-date=April 13, 2015| archive-date=May 8, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508020718/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1963/12/07/89986491.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false| url-status=live}} Their new home became a tourist attraction, and the family left Georgetown the following year. They later moved to a penthouse apartment at 1040 Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side.

In 1967, Kennedy christened the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy in a widely publicized ceremony in Newport News, Virginia.{{cite news| title=May 1967 – Caroline christens a carrier| url=https://pilotonline.com/news/local/history/back-in-the-day/may---caroline-christens-a-carrier/article_9acadaa2-bd2d-518d-a0be-b3984a7c3fa7.html| first1=Jakon| last1=Hays| first2=Maureen| last2=Watts| newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot| date=May 21, 2017| access-date=December 26, 2017| archive-date=December 27, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122242/https://pilotonline.com/news/local/history/back-in-the-day/may---caroline-christens-a-carrier/article_9acadaa2-bd2d-518d-a0be-b3984a7c3fa7.html| url-status=dead}}{{cite web| url=http://www.multied.com/navy/CVA67johnfkennedy.html| title=John F. Kennedy CVA-67| access-date=December 19, 2008| archive-date=February 4, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204191249/http://multied.com/Navy/CVA67johnfkennedy.html| url-status=live}} Over that summer, Jacqueline took the children on a six-week "sentimental journey" to Ireland, where they met President Éamon de Valera and visited the Kennedy ancestral home at Dunganstown. In the midst of the trip, Caroline and John were surrounded by a large number of press photographers while playing in a pond. The incident caused their mother to telephone Ireland's Department of External Affairs and request the issuing of a statement that she and the children wanted to be left in peace. As a result of the request, further attempts by press photographers to photograph the threesome ended with arrests by local police and the photographers being jailed.Heymann, pp. 145–46.

Caroline and John Jr.'s uncle Robert F. Kennedy became a major presence in both children's lives following their father's assassination, and Kennedy saw Robert as a surrogate father. However, when Robert was assassinated in 1968, Jacqueline sought a means of protecting her children, stating: "I hate this country. I despise America and I don't want my children to live here anymore. If they're killing Kennedys, my kids are the number one targets. I have the two main targets. I want to get out of this country".Heymann, pp. 152–54. Jacqueline Kennedy married Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis several months later and she and the children moved to Skorpios, his Greek island. The next year, 11-year-old Caroline attended the funeral of her grandfather, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. Her cousin, David, asked Caroline about her feelings towards her stepfather, and Caroline replied, "I don't like him".Heymann, p. 167.

In 1970, Jacqueline wrote her brother-in-law Ted Kennedy a letter stating that Caroline had been without a godfather since Robert Kennedy's death and would like Ted to assume the role. Ted began making regular trips from Washington to New York to see Caroline, where she was in school.Heymann, p. 176. In 1971, Caroline returned to the White House for the first time since her father's assassination when she was invited by President Richard Nixon to view the official portrait of her father.Heymann, p. 178.

Onassis died in March 1975, and Caroline returned to Skorpios for his funeral. A few days later, she and her mother and brother attended the presentation by French president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing of the Legion of Honor award to her aunt, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.Heymann, p. 202. Later that year, Kennedy was visiting London to complete a year-long art course at the Sotheby's auction house, when an IRA car bomb placed under the car of her hosts, Conservative MP Sir Hugh Fraser and his wife, Antonia, exploded shortly before she and the Frasers were due to leave for their daily drive to Sotheby's. Kennedy had not yet left the house, but a neighbor, oncologist Professor Gordon Hamilton Fairley, was passing by when he was walking his dog and was killed by the explosion.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/10/24/archives/bomb-kills-a-doctor-near-london-home-of-caroline-kennedy-a-narrow.html?sq=caroline%2520kennedy&scp=12&st=cse |title=Bomb Kills a Doctor Near London Home of Caroline Kennedy; A Narrow Escape for Miss Kennedy |first=Bernard |last=Weinraub |work=The New York Times |format=paid archive |date=October 24, 1975 |access-date=December 5, 2008 |page=1 |archive-date=July 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723003717/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/10/24/archives/bomb-kills-a-doctor-near-london-home-of-caroline-kennedy-a-narrow.html?sq=caroline%2520kennedy&scp=12&st=cse |url-status=live }}

File:Caroline_Kennedy_and_John_F._Kennedy_Jr._C30001-29_(cropped1).jpg in Washington in 1985]]

Kennedy began her education with kindergarten classes in the White House organized by her mother.{{cite web |title=Gifts From the World to the White House: Caroline Kennedy's Doll Collection (1961-63) {{!}} JFK Library |url=https://www.jfklibrary.org/visit-museum/exhibits/past-exhibits/gifts-from-the-world-to-the-white-house |website=www.jfklibrary.org |access-date=October 18, 2020}} Before the family's move to New York, Kennedy was registered at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart.{{cite web |title=Kennedy Move to City Sets Off School Speculation; Upper East Side Offers a Variety of Institutions for Caroline and John (Published 1964) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/16/archives/kennedy-move-to-city-sets-off-school-speculation-upper-east-side-of.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=October 18, 2020 |date=July 16, 1964}} She attended The Brearley School and Convent of the Sacred Heart in Manhattan, and later graduated in 1975 from Concord Academy in Massachusetts.Heymann, p. 203. Kennedy was a photographer's assistant at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. In 1977, she worked as a summer intern at the New York Daily News, earning $156 a week (${{Inflation|US|156|1977}} in {{inflation-year|US}} dollars), "fetching coffee for harried editors and reporters, changing typewriter ribbons and delivering messages."Andersen, p. 219. Kennedy reportedly "sat on a bench alone for two hours the first day before other employees even said hello to her"; and, according to Richard Licata, a former News reporter, "Everyone was too scared." Kennedy also wrote for Rolling Stone about visiting Graceland shortly after the death of Elvis Presley.

In 1980, Kennedy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Radcliffe College of Harvard University in fine arts.{{cite news |title=UPI photo archives 1980 |url=http://www.upi.com/News_Photos/Archives/1980/1657/11/ |publisher=UPI |date=June 5, 1980 |access-date=August 3, 2012 |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026035234/https://www.upi.com/News_Photos/Archives/1980/1657/11/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/217581.htm |title=Caroline Kennedy |publisher=U.S. Department of State |access-date=February 10, 2025}} During college, she had "considered becoming a photojournalist, but soon realized she could never make her living observing other people because they were too busy watching her."{{cite news |first=Greg |last=Mitchell |title=Caroline Kennedy's Journalism Days – And Meeting Elvis |url=http://www.editorandpublisher.com/Article/Caroline-Kennedy-s-Journalism-Days-And-Meeting-Elvis |work=Editor & Publisher |date=December 13, 2008 |access-date=October 28, 2011 |location=Irvine, California |archive-date=January 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131185432/http://www.editorandpublisher.com/Article/Caroline-Kennedy-s-Journalism-Days-And-Meeting-Elvis |url-status=dead }} After graduating, Kennedy was hired as a research assistant in the Film and Television Department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. She later became a "liaison officer between the museum staff and outside producers and directors shooting footage at the museum", helping coordinate the Sesame Street special Don't Eat the Pictures.Heymann, p. 264. On December 4, 1984, Kennedy was threatened when a man telephoned the museum and stated his name and address while reporting that a bomb had been planted there. Three days later, he was arrested for the threat.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/12/08/nyregion/arrest-made-in-threat-on-caroline-kennedy.html?n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fS%2fSchlossberg%2c%20Caroline%20Kennedy| title=Arrest Made in Threat On Caroline Kennedy| date=December 8, 1984| newspaper=The New York Times| access-date=February 6, 2017| archive-date=December 27, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227180435/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/12/08/nyregion/arrest-made-in-threat-on-caroline-kennedy.html?n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fS%2fSchlossberg%2c%20Caroline%20Kennedy| url-status=live}} In 1988, Kennedy earned a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School, graduating in the top 10 percent of her class.Heymann, p. 299. The following year, Kennedy passed the New York State bar exam.{{Cite magazine |title=Jack Schlossberg, JFK's Grandson, Hops on a Paddleboard in N.Y.C. to Celebrate Passing the Bar Exam |url=https://people.com/politics/jack-schlossberg-passes-new-york-bar-exam/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |magazine=People |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115225402/https://people.com/politics/jack-schlossberg-passes-new-york-bar-exam/ |url-status=live }}

File:Jack_Schlossberg_and_Caroline_Kennedy_at_Kennedy_Island.jpg at Kennedy Island in August 2023]]

Kennedy was romantically linked to many famous men, including Mark Shand, Sebastian Taylor, and Jonathan Guinness (of the Guinness family).{{Cite magazine |date=November 24, 1975|title=Caroline Kicks Up Her Heels in London, and Mother Worries Back Home |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20065884,00.html |access-date=January 12, 2023|magazine=People|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116215223/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20065884,00.html |archive-date=January 16, 2013 }} While working at the Met, Kennedy met her future husband, exhibit designer Edwin Schlossberg. They got married in 1986 at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville, Massachusetts.{{cite news |title=Caroline Bouvier Kennedy to wed Edwin Schlossberg |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/02/style/caroline-bouvier-kennedy-to-wed-edwin-schlossberg.html |quote=The engagement of Caroline Bouvier Kennedy and Edwin Arthur Schlossberg has been announced by her mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis of New York. A summer wedding is planned. |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 2, 1986 |access-date=July 27, 2018 |archive-date=June 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620101822/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/02/style/caroline-bouvier-kennedy-to-wed-edwin-schlossberg.html |url-status=live }} Kennedy's first cousin, Maria Shriver, served as the matron of honor, and Ted walked her down the aisle. Kennedy did not change her surname at the time she married.{{cite magazine| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1002414,00.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227065106/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1002414,00.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=December 27, 2008| title=10 Questions for Caroline Kennedy| first=Andrea| last=Sachs| magazine=Time| date=May 13, 2002| access-date=December 16, 2008}}{{cite news| url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0205/07/lkl.00.html| title=Transcript: Larry King Interview with Caroline Kennedy| work=Larry King Live| publisher=CNN| date=May 7, 2002| access-date=December 16, 2008| archive-date=February 23, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223024545/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0205/07/lkl.00.html| url-status=live}} Kennedy has three children: Rose Kennedy Schlossberg (born 1988), Tatiana Celia Kennedy Schlossberg (born 1990), and John Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg, known as Jack (born 1993).

Raised in Manhattan and somewhat separated from their Hyannis Port, Massachusetts cousins,Anderson, p. 11. Caroline and John Jr. were very close, especially following their mother's death in 1994.Anderson, p. 4. After John Jr. died in a plane crash in 1999, Kennedy was the only remaining survivor of President Kennedy's immediate family, and she preferred not to have a public memorial service for her brother.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/22/us/bodies-from-kennedy-crash-are-found.html| last=Allen| first=Mike| date=July 22, 1999| newspaper=The New York Times| title=Bodies From Kennedy Crash Are Found| access-date=February 6, 2017| archive-date=October 28, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028152855/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/22/us/bodies-from-kennedy-crash-are-found.html| url-status=live}} Kennedy decided that his remains would be cremated, and his ashes scattered into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Martha's Vineyard, where John Jr. met his fate.Landau, p. 20. John Jr. bequeathed Kennedy his half ownership of George magazine, but Kennedy believed that her brother would not have wanted the magazine to continue following his death,Blow, p. 317. and the magazine ceased publication two years later.{{cite web| url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0101/06/rs.00.html| title=CNN Transcript: Reliable Sources: 'George' Folds| work=CNN| date=January 6, 2001| access-date=December 28, 2011| archive-date=April 18, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418152349/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0101/06/rs.00.html| url-status=dead}}

Kennedy owns Red Gate Farm, her mother's {{convert|375|acre|ha|adj=on}} estate in Aquinnah, Massachusetts (formerly Gay Head) on Martha's Vineyard.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/20/obituaries/death-of-a-first-lady-jacqueline-kennedy-onassis-dies-of-cancer-at-64.html| title=Death of a First Lady; Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Dies of Cancer at 64| last=Mcfadden| first=Robert D.| date=May 20, 1994| work=The New York Times| page=1| access-date=December 12, 2012| archive-date=November 7, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107204501/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/20/obituaries/death-of-a-first-lady-jacqueline-kennedy-onassis-dies-of-cancer-at-64.html| url-status=live}} The New York Daily News estimated Kennedy's net worth in 2008 at over $100 million.{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Saul |title=Caroline Kennedy: The $100M Woman |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/12/24/2008-12-24_caroline_kennedy_the_100m_woman.html |work=New York Daily News |date=December 24, 2008 |access-date=December 24, 2008 |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604224710/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/12/24/2008-12-24_caroline_kennedy_the_100m_woman.html |url-status=live }} During her 2013 nomination to serve as ambassador to Japan, financial disclosure reports showed her net worth to be between $278 million and $500 million, including family trusts and commercial property in Chicago.{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/caroline-kennedy-fortune-revealed/story?id=20001143|title=Caroline Kennedy Fortune Revealed in Filings|agency=ABC News|date=August 19, 2013|access-date=January 31, 2025}}

In January 2025, Kennedy publicly spoke out against her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, in a letter and video to US senators ahead of confirmation proceedings. Within this letter, Kennedy labelled her cousin a "predator" and stated his views and actions on vaccinations to be "hypocritical" and financially motivated. The letter was also posted on her son Jack's Instagram page,{{Cite news |last=Dunbar |first=Marina |date=January 29, 2025 |title=Caroline Kennedy calls cousin RFK Jr a predator ahead of confirmation hearing |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/28/caroline-kennedy-rfk-letter |access-date=January 30, 2025 |newspaper=The Guardian}} and was supported by other members of the Kennedy family.{{cite news |last1=Chandler |first1=Rita |title=Maria Shriver lauds Caroline Kennedy for opposing their cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/28/metro/maria-shriver-backs-caroline-kennedy-in-dispute-with-rfk-jr/ |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=January 29, 2025}}{{cite magazine |last1=Hagan |first1=Joe |title=Caroline Kennedy's Letter Is "Too Late," Fears Woman Who Accused RFK Jr. of Sexual Assault |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/rfk-confirmation-fight-caroline-murdochs |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=January 29, 2025}}

Kennedy is an attorney, writer, and editor who has served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations. With Ellen Alderman, she co-wrote the book, In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights In Action, which was published in 1991. During an interview regarding the volume, Kennedy explained that the two wanted to show why the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution was written.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/5tPKKoTdhkw Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140301170943/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tPKKoTdhkw Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite news| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tPKKoTdhkw| title=Caroline Kennedy| publisher=Youtube}}{{cbignore}} She attended the Robin Hood Foundation annual breakfast on December 7, 1999. Her brother, John Jr., had been committed to the organization, which she spoke of at the event.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/08/nyregion/charity-group-recalls-john-kennedy-jr.html| title=Charity Group Recalls John Kennedy Jr.| date=December 8, 1999| newspaper=The New York Times}} In 2000, Kennedy supported Al Gore for the presidency and mentioned feeling a kinship with him since their fathers served together in the Senate.{{cite news| url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-64307021.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610214816/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-64307021.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=June 10, 2014|title=JFK's First Lady; Caroline Kennedy Makes Her Political Debut As She Backs Gore For President|date=August 17, 2000| newspaper=Daily Mirror| location=London}} She spoke at the 2000 Democratic National Convention which was held in Los Angeles, California, the first time since the 1960 Democratic National Convention, where her father had been nominated by the Democratic Party for the presidency.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/16/us/the-democrats-the-kennedy-factor-40-years-later-invoking-spirit-of-new-frontier.html| title=The Democrats: The Kennedy Factor; 40 Years Later, Invoking Spirit of New Frontier| date=August 16, 2000| newspaper=The New York Times| first=Adam| last=Nagourney| access-date=February 6, 2017| archive-date=December 27, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227235351/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/16/us/the-democrats-the-kennedy-factor-40-years-later-invoking-spirit-of-new-frontier.html| url-status=live}}File:Caroline Kennedy 1999.jpg

{{external media | width = 210px | float = right | headerimage= | video1 = [https://www.c-span.org/video/?17736-1/defense-bill-rights-action Booknotes interview with Ellen Alderman and Caroline Kennedy on In Our Defense, April 28, 1991], C-SPAN}}From 2002 through 2004, Kennedy worked as director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships for the New York City Department of Education, appointed by School Chancellor Joel Klein. The three-day-a-week job paid Kennedy a salary of $1 and had the goal of raising private money for the New York City public schools;{{cite news |last=Halbfinger |first=David W. |title=Résumé Long on Politics, but Short on Public Office |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/nyregion/16qualifications.html |work=The New York Times |date=December 15, 2008 |access-date=December 16, 2008 |archive-date=April 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410052711/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/nyregion/16qualifications.html |url-status=live }} she helped raise more than $65 million.{{cite web |url=http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK+Library+and+Museum/Kennedy+Library+Foundation/Board+of+Directors/Caroline+Kennedy+President.htm |title=Caroline Kennedy, President |publisher=John F. Kennedy Library Foundation |archive-date=October 3, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061003174351/http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK%2BLibrary%2Band%2BMuseum/Kennedy%2BLibrary%2BFoundation/Board%2Bof%2BDirectors/Caroline%2BKennedy%2BPresident.htm |access-date=December 27, 2015 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |first=David M. |last=Herszenhorn |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/20/nyregion/caroline-kennedy-is-leaving-fund-raising-job-for-schools.html?emc=rss&partner=rssnyt |title=Caroline Kennedy Is Leaving Fund-Raising Job for Schools |work=The New York Times |date=August 20, 2004}}{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/02/nyregion/caroline-kennedy-takes-post-as-fund-raiser-for-schools.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3As| title=Caroline Kennedy Takes Post As Fund-Raiser for Schools| date=October 2, 2002| newspaper=The New York Times| first=Abby| last=Goodnough| access-date=February 6, 2017| archive-date=December 27, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227180454/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/02/nyregion/caroline-kennedy-takes-post-as-fund-raiser-for-schools.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3As| url-status=live}} Kennedy served as one of two vice chairs of the board of directors of The Fund for Public Schools and is currently honorary director of the fund.{{cite web| url=https://www.fundforpublicschools.org/leadership| title=Board and Officers – The Fund for Public Schools| publisher=Fund for Public Schools| access-date=August 9, 2014| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810082108/https://www.fundforpublicschools.org/leadership| archive-date=August 10, 2014| df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |title=Board of Directors |url=http://schools.nyc.gov/FundForPublicSchools/AboutUs/BOD/default.htm |publisher=Fund for Public Schools |access-date=December 17, 2008 |archive-date=March 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322122253/https://www.schools.nyc.gov/FundForPublicSchools/AboutUs/BOD/default.htm |url-status=live }} She has also served on the board of trustees of Concord Academy, which Kennedy attended as a teen.

Kennedy and other members of her family created the Profile in Courage Award in 1989. The award is given to a public official or officials whose actions demonstrate politically courageous leadership in the spirit of John F. Kennedy's book, Profiles in Courage.{{cite web| title=Profile in Courage Award| publisher=John F. Kennedy Library Foundation| url=http://www.jfklibrary.org/Education+and+Public+Programs/Profile+in+Courage+Award/| access-date=December 17, 2008| archive-date=December 25, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225215937/http://jfklibrary.org/Education+and+Public+Programs/Profile+in+Courage+Award/| url-status=dead}} In 2001, she presented the award to former president Gerald Ford for his controversial pardon of former president Richard M. Nixon almost 30 years prior.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/22/us/ford-wins-kennedy-award-for-courage-of-nixon-pardon.html| title=Ford Wins Kennedy Award For 'Courage' of Nixon Pardon| date=May 22, 2001| newspaper=The New York Times| first=Adam| last=Clymer| access-date=February 6, 2017| archive-date=June 2, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602031115/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/22/us/ford-wins-kennedy-award-for-courage-of-nixon-pardon.html| url-status=live}} Kennedy is also president of the Kennedy Library Foundation and an adviser to the Harvard Institute of Politics. She is a member of the New York and Washington, D.C., bar associations. Kennedy is also a member of the boards of directors of the Commission on Presidential Debates and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and is an honorary chair of the American Ballet Theatre.{{cite web |title=American Ballet Theatre Board of Governing Trustees |publisher=American Ballet Theatre |url=http://www.abt.org/insideabt/trustees.asp |access-date=December 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017065558/http://www.abt.org/insideabt/trustees.asp |archive-date=October 17, 2013 |url-status=dead }} She represented her family at the funeral services of former presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford and former First Ladies Lady Bird Johnson, Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush. Kennedy also represented her family at the dedication of the Bill Clinton Presidential Center and Park in Little Rock, Arkansas, in November 2004, and at the dedication of the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library in 1997. Kennedy attended the 50th-anniversary ceremony of the March on Washington on August 28, 2013.{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/28/caroline-kennedy-march-on-washington_n_3831481.html| title=Caroline Kennedy, Lynda Bird Johnson Robb Speak At March On Washington Anniversary| date=August 28, 2013| work=The Huffington Post| access-date=August 7, 2014| archive-date=August 11, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811155522/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/28/caroline-kennedy-march-on-washington_n_3831481.html| url-status=live}}

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On January 27, 2008, Kennedy announced in a New York Times op-ed piece entitled, "A President Like My Father," that she would endorse Barack Obama in the 2008 U.S. presidential election.{{cite news| first=Caroline| last=Kennedy| title=A President Like My Father| format=Op-Ed| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/opinion/27kennedy.html| work=The New York Times| date=January 27, 2008| access-date=January 27, 2008| archive-date=February 17, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217191915/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/opinion/27kennedy.html| url-status=live}} Her concluding lines were: "I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president—not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans."{{cite news| title=Kennedy support for Obama?| url=http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/28/kennedy-support-for-obama/| publisher=CNN| date=January 28, 2008| access-date=February 7, 2017| archive-date=February 11, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075645/http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/28/kennedy-support-for-obama/| url-status=dead}}{{cite news| title=Sen. Kennedy endorses Obama for president| url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article24475483.html| first=Margaret| last=Tale| publisher=McClatchy| date=January 28, 2008}}

Federal Election Commission records show that Kennedy contributed $2,300 to the Hillary Rodham Clinton presidential campaign committee on June 29, 2007. She previously contributed a total of $5,000 to Clinton's 2006 senatorial campaign. On September 18, 2007, she contributed $2,300 to Barack Obama's presidential campaign committee.{{cite web| title=Federal Election Commission Finance Reports Transaction Query by Individual Contributor| publisher=Federal Election Commission| format=enter Kennedy Caroline for search| url=http://www.fec.gov/finance/disclosure/norindsea.shtml| access-date=February 2, 2008| archive-date=December 2, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202064750/http://www.fec.gov/finance/disclosure/norindsea.shtml| url-status=live}}File:Caroline Kennedy DNC 2008.jpg in Denver, Colorado, on August 25, 2008, introducing her uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy.|left]]On June 4, 2008, Obama named Kennedy, along with Jim Johnson (who withdrew one week later) and Eric Holder, to co-chair his Vice Presidential Search Committee.{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Murray |title=Obama Taps 3 to Lead Veep Committee |work=First Read |publisher=MSNBC |url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/06/04/1112464.aspx |date=June 4, 2008 |access-date=December 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208060859/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/06/04/1112464.aspx |archive-date=December 8, 2008}} Filmmaker Michael Moore called on Kennedy to "Pull a Cheney",{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Moore |author-link=Michael Moore |title='Caroline: Pull a Cheney!' An Open Letter to Caroline Kennedy (head of the Obama VP search team) from Michael Moore |url=http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=226 |publisher=michaelmoore.com |date=August 19, 2008 |access-date=December 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006033622/http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=226 |archive-date=October 6, 2008}} and name herself as Obama's vice presidential running mate (Dick Cheney headed George W. Bush's vice presidential vetting committee in 2000—Cheney himself was chosen for the job).{{cite news| title=The 2000 Campaign: The Texas Governor; Bush Names Cheney, Citing 'Integrity' and 'Experience'| author-link=Frank Bruni| last=Bruni| first=Frank|url-access=subscription | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/26/us/2000-campaign-texas-governor-bush-names-cheney-citing-integrity-experience.html?sq=cheney+appointment&scp=1&st=nyt | newspaper=The New York Times| date=June 26, 2000| access-date=January 22, 2009}} On August 23, Obama announced that Senator Joe Biden of Delaware would be his running mate. Kennedy addressed the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, introducing a tribute film about her uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy.{{cite news |title=Scorecard: First-Night Speeches, Caroline Kennedy |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1836039_1836038_1836026,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829210428/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1836039_1836038_1836026,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 29, 2008 |magazine=Time |access-date=December 19, 2008 |date=August 26, 2008}} The Topps trading card company memorialized Kennedy's involvement in the campaign by featuring her on a card in a set commemorating Obama's road to the White House.{{Cite news|date=January 20, 2009|title=President Obama Trading Card Set|url=https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/obama-card-set-providing-industry-boost/|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=Sports Collectors Daily|last1=Mueller|first1=Rich|archive-date=April 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414034054/https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/obama-card-set-providing-industry-boost/|url-status=live}}

Kennedy was among the 35 national co-chairs of Obama's 2012 re-election campaign.{{cite news| title=Rahm Emanuel, Eva Longoria, Caroline Kennedy Among Obama Campaign's National Co-Chairs| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/rahm-emanuel-eva-longoria-caroline-kennedy-among-obama-campaigns-national-co-chairs/2012/02/22/gIQAEsn4SR_blog.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223114907/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/rahm-emanuel-eva-longoria-caroline-kennedy-among-obama-campaigns-national-co-chairs/2012/02/22/gIQAEsn4SR_blog.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 23, 2012| newspaper=The Washington Post| first=David| last=Nakamura| date=February 22, 2012}} On June 27, 2012, Kennedy made appearances in Nashua and Manchester, New Hampshire, to campaign for the re-election of President Obama.{{cite news |last=Young |first=Shannon |title=Caroline Kennedy urges voters to support Obama |url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2012/06/27/caroline_kennedy_to_campaign_for_obama_in_nashua/ |work=The Boston Globe |access-date=June 28, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701005507/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2012/06/27/caroline_kennedy_to_campaign_for_obama_in_nashua/ |archive-date=July 1, 2012}}

There was media speculation that she might become a possible candidate for the 2020 Presidential primaries and election{{cite web| url=https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/01/23/caroline-kennedys-possible-political-future/21661218/| title=Caroline Kennedy's possible political future| date=January 23, 2017| work=AOL| access-date=March 10, 2017| archive-date=March 11, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311011110/https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/01/23/caroline-kennedys-possible-political-future/21661218/| url-status=dead}}{{cite web| url=http://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/could-caroline-kennedy-be-the-leader-democrats-need-after-clinton-s-loss| title=Could Caroline Kennedy be the next Hillary Clinton and run for president?| date=January 25, 2017| first=Frances| last=Mulraney| work=IrishCentral| access-date=January 25, 2017}} but this did not come to pass.

{{See also|2010 United States Senate special election in New York}}

In December 2008, Kennedy expressed interest in the United States Senate seat occupied by Hillary Clinton, who had been selected to become Secretary of State. This seat was to be filled through 2010 by appointment of New York Governor David Paterson.{{cite news |first=Nicholas |last=Confessore|title=Caroline Kennedy to Seek Clinton's Senate Seat |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/us/politics/16caroline.html?_r=1&hp |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 15, 2008 |access-date=December 15, 2008}} This same seat was held by Kennedy's uncle Robert F. Kennedy from January 1965 until his assassination in June 1968, when he was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.[https://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/senators/one_item_and_teasers/new_york.htm U.S. Senate: Senators Home > State Information > New York]. Senate.gov. Retrieved on December 29, 2013. Kennedy's appointment was supported by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter,{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Smith |title=Kennedy's first endorsemen t |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1208/Kennedys_first_endorsement.html?showall |newspaper=Politico |date=December 16, 2008 |access-date=December 16, 2008 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060048/http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1208/Kennedys_first_endorsement.html?showall |url-status=live }} State Assemblyman Vito Lopez, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg,{{cite news |title=Another Senator Kennedy? |url=https://abc7ny.com/archive/6540115/ |agency=Associated Press |work=WABC-TV News |location=New York |date=December 5, 2008 |access-date=December 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129230042/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news%2Fpolitics&id=6540115&rss=rss-wabc-article-6540115 |archive-date=January 29, 2009 |url-status=live }} and former New York City Mayor Ed Koch.

She was criticized for not voting in a number of Democratic primaries and general elections since registering in 1988 in New York City{{cite news| first=Erin| last=Einhorn| author2=Saltonstall, David| title=Records show Caroline Kennedy failed to cast her vote many times since 1988| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/12/18/2008-12-18_records_show_caroline_kennedy_failed_to_.html| newspaper=New York Daily News| date=December 19, 2008| access-date=December 19, 2008| archive-date=June 4, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604224814/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/12/18/2008-12-18_records_show_caroline_kennedy_failed_to_.html| url-status=live}} and for not providing details about her political views.{{cite news |last=Salstonstall |first=David |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/12/17/2008-12-17_we_know_caroline_kennedys_name_but_not_h.html |title=We know Caroline Kennedy's name, but not her views on the issues |newspaper=New York Daily News |date=December 17, 2008 |access-date=December 20, 2008 |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604224853/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/12/17/2008-12-17_we_know_caroline_kennedys_name_but_not_h.html |url-status=live }} In response, Kennedy released a statement through a spokeswoman that outlined some of her political views including that she supported legislation legalizing same-sex marriage, was pro-choice, against the death penalty, for restoring the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, and believed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) should be re-examined.{{cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/12/21/2008-12-21_senatehopeful_caroline_kennedy_talks_gay.html| newspaper=New York Daily News| title=Senate-hopeful Caroline Kennedy talks gays, war, and education| date=December 21, 2008| last=Katz| first=Celeste| quote=Friedman said Kennedy backed gun control and opposed the death penalty. She also supports rolling back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, but not right now due to the "fragile" state of the economy.| access-date=December 25, 2009| archive-date=February 8, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208031548/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/12/21/2008-12-21_senatehopeful_caroline_kennedy_talks_gay.html| url-status=live}}{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/nyregion/21kennedy.html?hp| title=Kennedy Offers Hints of a Platform, and a Few Surprises| first=Nicholas| last=Confessore| newspaper=The New York Times| date=December 20, 2008| access-date=December 20, 2008| archive-date=April 25, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425034547/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/nyregion/21kennedy.html?hp| url-status=live}} On foreign policy, her spokeswoman reiterated that Kennedy opposed the Iraq War from the beginning as well as that she believed that Jerusalem should be the undivided capital city of Israel.{{cite news| url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/128948| title=Caroline Kennedy: Jerusalem is Israel's Undivided Capital| first=Tzvi Ben| last=Gedalyahu| newspaper=Israel National News| date=December 20, 2008| access-date=December 22, 2008| archive-date=October 18, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018083935/https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/128948| url-status=live}}[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/caroline-kennedy-is-decidedly-liberal/ Caroline Kennedy Is Decidedly Liberal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228054123/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/caroline-kennedy-is-decidedly-liberal/ |date=December 28, 2017 }} by John Nichols, The Nation (reprinted by CBS News), December 22, 2008. Kennedy declined to make disclosures of her financial dealings or other personal matters to the press, stating that she would not release the information publicly unless she were selected by Governor Paterson.{{cite news| first=David| last=Halbfinger| title=Kennedy Declines to Make Financial Disclosure| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/nyregion/23kennedy.html?ref=politics| newspaper=The New York Times| date=December 22, 2008| access-date=December 23, 2008| archive-date=April 25, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425034605/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/nyregion/23kennedy.html?ref=politics| url-status=live}} She did complete a confidential 28-page disclosure questionnaire required of hopefuls, reported to include extensive financial information.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}

In an interview with the Associated Press, Kennedy acknowledged that she would need to prove herself. "Going into politics is something people have asked me about forever", Kennedy said. "When this opportunity came along, which was sort of unexpected, I thought, 'Well, maybe now. How about now?' [I'll have to] work twice as hard as anybody else..... I am an unconventional choice..... We're starting to see there are many ways into public life and public service".{{cite news|first=Larry|last=Neumeister|title=Kennedy says 9/11, Obama led her to public service|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Dec26/0,4670,CarolineKennedy,00.html|publisher=Associated Press (via Fox News)|date=December 26, 2008|access-date=December 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231023134/http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Dec26/0,4670,CarolineKennedy,00.html|archive-date=December 31, 2008}} In late December 2008, Kennedy drew criticism from several media outlets for lacking clarity in interviews, and for using the phrase "you know" 168 times during a 30-minute interview with NY1.[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123060542110241631 Not Ready for SNL: Caroline Kennedy's 168 'You Knows.']. The Wall Street Journal. December 29, 2008.

Shortly before midnight on January 22, 2009, Kennedy released a statement that she was withdrawing from consideration for the seat, citing "personal reasons".{{cite news| title=Kennedy Drops Bid for Senate Seat, Citing Personal Reasons| last1=Confessore| first1=Nicholas| author2=Hakim, Danny| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/nyregion/22caroline.html?hp| newspaper=The New York Times| date=January 22, 2009| access-date=January 9, 2010}}{{cite news| title=In Attack on Kennedy, Echo of a Spitzer Tactic| last1=Hakim| first1=Danny| author2=Confessore, Nicholas| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/nyregion/04paterson.html| newspaper=The New York Times| date=February 3, 2009| access-date=February 23, 2009| archive-date=April 10, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410030813/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/nyregion/04paterson.html| url-status=live}}{{cite news| title=Paterson Had Staff Deny Kennedy Was Top Choice| last1=Hakim| first1=Danny| author2=Confessore, Nicholas| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/21/nyregion/21paterson.html| newspaper=The New York Times| date=February 20, 2009| access-date=February 23, 2009| archive-date=May 14, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514165321/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/21/nyregion/21paterson.html| url-status=live}} Kennedy declined to expand upon the reasons that led to her decision.{{cite news| title=Kennedy Says Children Had No Role in Senate Decision| last=Confessore| first=Nicholas| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/19/nyregion/19kennedy.html| newspaper=The New York Times| date=May 18, 2009| access-date=January 9, 2010| archive-date=November 8, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108133720/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/19/nyregion/19kennedy.html| url-status=live}} One day after Kennedy's withdrawal, Paterson announced his selection of Representative Kirsten Gillibrand to fill the Senate seat.{{cite news| title=Caroline Kennedy Withdraws Senate Bid| url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28780112| work=NBC News| date=January 22, 2009| access-date=January 22, 2009| archive-date=November 17, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117152835/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28780112| url-status=live}}

File:Ambassador Kennedy After the Presentation of Credentials Ceremony (10941227714).jpg after presenting her credentials on November 19, 2013.]]

On July 24, 2013, President Obama announced Kennedy as his nominee to be United States Ambassador to Japan to succeed Ambassador John Roos.{{cite news| url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/caroline-kennedy-ambassador-japan-94688.html?hp=f3| title=Caroline Kennedy chosen as Ambassador to Japan| newspaper=Politico| date=July 24, 2013| access-date=July 24, 2013| archive-date=October 22, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022195634/http://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/caroline-kennedy-ambassador-japan-94688.html?hp=f3| url-status=live}}Landler, Mark (July 24, 2013). [https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/25/world/asia/caroline-kennedy-picked-to-be-ambassador-to-japan.html "Caroline Kennedy Chosen to Be Japan Ambassador"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519035236/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/25/world/asia/caroline-kennedy-picked-to-be-ambassador-to-japan.html |date=May 19, 2017 }} The New York Times. Retrieved July 24, 2013. The prospective nomination was first reported in February 2013Nichols, Hans. (February 27, 2013) [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-27/caroline-kennedy-said-to-be-candidate-for-envoy-to-japan.html Caroline Kennedy Said to Be Candidate for Envoy to Japan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311011750/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-27/caroline-kennedy-said-to-be-candidate-for-envoy-to-japan.html/ |date=March 11, 2017 }}. Bloomberg. Retrieved on December 29, 2013. and, in mid-July 2013, formal diplomatic agreement to the appointment was reportedly received from the Japanese government.Kamen, Al (July 13, 2013). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/post/caroline-kennedy-poised-for-japan/2013/07/13/1cfc34ce-ebbe-11e2-8023-b7f07811d98e_blog.html "Caroline Kennedy Poised for Japan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122800/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/post/caroline-kennedy-poised-for-japan/2013/07/13/1cfc34ce-ebbe-11e2-8023-b7f07811d98e_blog.html |date=December 27, 2017 }}. The Washington Post. Retrieved July 13, 2013.File:Caroline Kennedy 20131115.jpg on November 15, 2013.|left]]On September 19, 2013, Kennedy sat before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and responded to questions regarding her potential appointment. Kennedy explained that her focus would be military ties, trade, and student exchange if she was selected for the position.{{cite news| first=Donna |last=Cassata| title=Caroline Kennedy 'Humbled' To Carry On Father's Legacy| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/19/caroline-kennedy-japan_n_3955207.html| access-date=October 24, 2014| work=The Huffington Post| date=September 19, 2013}} On September 30, 2013, the committee favorably reported her nomination to the Senate floor. She was confirmed on October 16, 2013, by voice vote as the first female U.S. Ambassador to Japan{{cite news| title=Caroline Kennedy Confirmed as Ambassador to Japan| url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/10/caroline-kennedy-confirmed-as-ambassador-to-japan/| access-date=November 5, 2013| work=ABC News| date=October 16, 2013| first=Arlette| last=Saenz| archive-date=October 26, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026091009/http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/10/caroline-kennedy-confirmed-as-ambassador-to-japan/| url-status=live}} and was sworn in by Secretary of State John Kerry on November 12.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/caroline-kennedy-sworn-in-as-ambassador-to-japan/ |title=Caroline Kennedy sworn in as ambassador to Japan |access-date=December 11, 2013 |date=November 12, 2013 |work=CBS News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121041611/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57612027/caroline-kennedy-sworn-in-as-ambassador-to-japan/ |archive-date=November 21, 2013 }} Kennedy arrived in Japan on November 15{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/11/15/japan-ambassador-caroline-kennedy/3574587/| title=Caroline Kennedy arrives in Japan as new ambassador| newspaper=USA Today| access-date=November 15, 2013| first=Kirk| last=Spitzer| date=November 15, 2013}} and met Japanese diplomats three days later.{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/posttv/world/caroline-kennedy-meets-with-japanese-diplomats/2013/11/18/e9a3c9c4-5081-11e3-a7f0-b790929232e1_video.html| title=Caroline Kennedy meets with Japanese diplomats| date=November 18, 2013| newspaper=The Washington Post}} On November 19, NHK showed live coverage of Kennedy's arrival at the Imperial Palace to present her diplomatic credentials to Emperor Akihito.{{cite news| url=https://news.yahoo.com/us-envoy-caroline-kennedy-meets-japans-emperor-100234814.html| last=Kurtenbach| first=Elaine| title=US envoy Caroline Kennedy meets Japan's emperor| newspaper=Houston Chronicle| date=November 19, 2013}}

File:Ambassador Kennedy Meets Japan’s Prime Minister Abe (10956898194).jpg in 2013]]

In December 2013, she visited Nagasaki to meet with survivors of the 1945 atomic bombing of that city.{{cite news| last=Wakatsuki| first=Yoko| title=Caroline Kennedy meets atomic bomb survivors in Nagasaki| url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/10/world/asia/japan-nagasaki-caroline-kennedy/index.html?hpt=wo_c2| work=CNN| access-date=December 10, 2013| date=December 10, 2013| archive-date=December 27, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122805/http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/10/world/asia/japan-nagasaki-caroline-kennedy/index.html?hpt=wo_c2| url-status=live}} On August 5, 2014, she attended a memorial ceremony for victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima; she was the second U.S. ambassador to attend the annual memorial. This was her second visit to Hiroshima, having visited in 1978 with her uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy.{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-06/kennedy-attends-hiroshima-ceremony-36-years-after-first-visit.html| title=Kennedy Attends Hiroshima Ceremony 36 Years After First Visit| date=August 5, 2014| first=Isabel| last=Reynolds| publisher=Bloomberg News| access-date=March 6, 2017| archive-date=August 9, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809004315/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-06/kennedy-attends-hiroshima-ceremony-36-years-after-first-visit.html| url-status=live}}{{cite news| url=http://www.theherald-news.com/2014/08/06/japan-marks-69th-anniversary-of-hiroshima-bombing/an10kgj/| title=Japan marks 69th anniversary of Hiroshima bombing| newspaper=The Herald-News| first=Mari| last=Yamaguchi| location=Joliet, Illinois}}

In February 2014, Kennedy visited the southern Japanese island of Okinawa, the site of the large military bases of United States Forces Japan, and was received by protests against the American military presence and placards with "no base" written on them. The protesters are opposed to the American military presence citing various concerns over sexual assaults and the environmental impact of the base.{{cite news| title=US envoy visits Okinawa amid long-running row over military bases| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/11/us-envoy-okinawa-dispute-caroline-kennedy| access-date=July 8, 2014| newspaper=The Guardian| date=February 11, 2014 |location=Manchester}} Kennedy subsequently met with Okinawa's governor, Hirokazu Nakaima, who was re-elected in 2010 in opposition to the base. She pledged to reduce the burden of the American military presence in Okinawa.

File:Secretary Kerry Participates in a Walking Tour of the Itsukishima Shrine (25739660554).jpg in Hiroshima in April 2016|left]]

In April 2015, Kennedy visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which displayed the impact from the 1945 atomic bombing. Kennedy called her visit a "solemn honor" and also planted dogwood trees on a road, participating in a U.S. project to spread 3,000 dogwood trees across Japan.{{cite news| url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/04/18/national/kennedy-visits-hiroshima-a-bomb-museum-for-first-time-as-u-s-envoy/#.VT1CGyj7U_U| date=April 18, 2015| title=Kennedy visits Hiroshima A-bomb museum for first time as U.S. envoy| newspaper=The Japan Times}}

On August 6, 2015, Kennedy accompanied US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs Rose Gottemoeller to the memorial for the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan by the United States in World War II. It marked the 70th anniversary of the bombing, and Gottemoeller became the first senior American official to attend the annual memorial.Hungo, Jun, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/japan-remembers-hiroshima-bombing-with-call-to-abolish-nuclear-arms-1438824991 "Japan Remembers Hiroshima Bombing With Call to Abolish Nuclear Arms"], The Wall Street Journal, August 5, 2015. Retrieved August 6, 2015. Kennedy was only the second US ambassador to attend. With representatives of 100 countries in attendance, Japanese prime minister Shinzō Abe reiterated Japan's official support for the abolition of nuclear weapons.Soble, Jonathan, [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/07/world/asia/hiroshima-honors-70th-anniversary-of-atomic-bombing.html "Hiroshima Commemorates 70th Anniversary of Atomic Bombing"], The New York Times, August 6, 2015. Retrieved August 6, 2015.

On August 15, 2015 Kennedy was named sponsor for the second USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) a Gerald R. Ford class supercarrier named for her father.[https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/614408/keel-laying-for-future-aircraft-carrier-john-f-kennedy/ "Keel Laying for Future Aircraft Carrier John F. Kennedy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801043134/https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/614408/keel-laying-for-future-aircraft-carrier-john-f-kennedy/ |date=August 1, 2023 }}, August 15, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2023. Kennedy christened CVN-79 on December 7, 2019, the 78th anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor.[https://www.npr.org/2019/12/07/785692588/a-day-for-shipbuilders-caroline-kennedy-christens-the-uss-john-f-kennedy "A Day for Shipbuilders: Carolina Kennedy Christens The USS John F. Kennedy."], December 7, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2023. Traditionally, a person only sponsors one United States navy ship; however, Kennedy is one of the rare exceptions who sponsored two ships.

Kennedy resigned as the United States Ambassador to Japan shortly before Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. She formally left Japan as Ambassador on January 18, 2017.{{cite news| title=Caroline Kennedy Leaves Japan After Three Years as U.S. Ambassador| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-18/caroline-kennedy-leaves-japan-after-3-years-as-us-ambassador| publisher=Bloomberg News| agency=Associated Press| last=Moritsugu| first=Ken| date=January 17, 2017}} In recognition of her service, Kennedy was awarded Japan's Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun in 2021.{{citation|newspaper=Kyodo News|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/11/eff32f2f1745-ex-us-envoy-kennedy-among-foreign-recipients-of-japan-decorations.html|title=Ex-U.S. envoy Kennedy among foreign recipients of Japan decorations|date=November 3, 2021|access-date=December 5, 2021|archive-date=December 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205202800/https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/11/eff32f2f1745-ex-us-envoy-kennedy-among-foreign-recipients-of-japan-decorations.html|url-status=live}}

File:Deputy Secretary Sherman Delivers Remarks at Solomon Islands Government-Hosted Memorial at Bloody Ridge (52270988819).jpg at a memorial in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands in August 2022]]

{{Expand section|date=November 2024|small=no}}

On December 15, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Kennedy to be the United States Ambassador to Australia.{{cite press release |title=President Biden Announces Key Diplomatic and Agency Nominees |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/12/15/president-biden-announces-key-diplomatic-and-agency-nominees/ |publisher=White House |access-date=July 23, 2022 |date=December 15, 2021 |archive-date=December 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218222051/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/12/15/president-biden-announces-key-diplomatic-and-agency-nominees/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|last=Wilkie|first=Christina|date=December 15, 2021|title=Biden picks Caroline Kennedy and Michelle Kwan to be ambassadors|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/15/caroline-kennedy-michelle-kwan-picked-by-biden-to-be-ambassadors.html|access-date=December 16, 2021|agency=CNBC|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413122432/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/15/caroline-kennedy-michelle-kwan-picked-by-biden-to-be-ambassadors.html|url-status=live}} Hearings on her nomination were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 7, 2022. The committee favorably reported her to the Senate floor on May 4, 2022. She was confirmed by the Senate on May 5, 2022, by voice vote.{{cite news |title= Caroline Kennedy confirmed by US Senate as next ambassador to Australia |date= May 6, 2022 |url= https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-06/caroline-kennedy-appointed-australia-ambassador/101043542 |agency=ABC |access-date= May 6, 2022 |archive-date= April 13, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230413122432/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-06/caroline-kennedy-appointed-australia-ambassador/101043542 |url-status= live }} Kennedy was officially sworn in on June 10, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://canberraweekly.com.au/caroline-kennedy-sworn-in-as-australian-ambassador-in-canberra/|title=Caroline Kennedy sworn in as Australian ambassador in Canberra|newspaper=The Canberra Weekly|date=June 13, 2022|via=Australian Associated Press|access-date=July 6, 2022|archive-date=December 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218222054/https://canberraweekly.com.au/caroline-kennedy-sworn-in-as-australian-ambassador-in-canberra/|url-status=live}} She presented her credentials to Governor-General of Australia David Hurley on July 25, 2022.{{cite tweet |user=USEmbAustralia |number=1551384730704429057 |author=U.S. Embassy Australia |title=Ambassador Caroline Kennedy met with Governor General David Hurley in Canberra to present her credentials as the United States Ambassador to Australia |date=July 25, 2022}}

In August 2023, Kennedy suggested the potential for "resolution" and a plea bargain deal, to resolve the extradition proceedings of journalist Julian Assange (an Australian citizen) from the United Kingdom to the United States.{{Cite news |first=Bernard |last=Lagan |date=December 22, 2023 |title=Julian Assange could get plea deal, hints US ambassador to Australia |newspaper=The Times |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20241125021449|url-status=live|archive-date=November 25, 2024|url-access=subscription |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/julian-assange-plea-deal-hints-us-ambassador-australia-t390j589h |access-date=December 22, 2023 |issn=0140-0460}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |last=Thakker |first=Prem |date=August 14, 2023 |title=U.S. Official Hints at Possible Plea Deal for Julian Assange |url=https://theintercept.com/2023/08/14/julian-assange-plea-deal/ |archive-date=November 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125021629/https://theintercept.com/2023/08/14/julian-assange-plea-deal/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 22, 2023 |website=The Intercept}} In September 2024, Kennedy announced she would leave her ambassadorial position regardless of the result of the presidential election.{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/back-to-camelot-caroline-kennedy-set-to-leave-australia-in-months-20240925-p5kdab.html |access-date=November 25, 2024 |date=September 26, 2024 |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240925204512/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/back-to-camelot-caroline-kennedy-set-to-leave-australia-in-months-20240925-p5kdab.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |title=Back to Camelot: Caroline Kennedy set to leave Australia in months |first=Matthew |last=Knott}}

==Publications==

Kennedy and Ellen Alderman have co-written two books on civil liberties:

• In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights in Action (1991){{cite web |title=In Book World, Caroline Kennedy is a Powerhouse |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/17/nyregion/17books.html?mtrref=search.yahoo.com&gwh=EEFC34B16CBBB743341C4BC38023CFF7&gwt=pay |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=December 26, 2017 |date=January 15, 2009 |archive-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227123501/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/17/nyregion/17books.html?mtrref=search.yahoo.com&gwh=EEFC34B16CBBB743341C4BC38023CFF7&gwt=pay |url-status=live }}
• The Right to Privacy (1995)

Kennedy has edited these New York Times best-selling volumes:

• The Best-Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (2001);
• Profiles in Courage for Our Time (2002);
• A Patriot's Handbook (2003);
• A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children (2005).

She is also the author of A Family Christmas, a collection of poems, prose, and personal notes from her family history (2007, {{ISBN|978-1-4013-2227-4}}). In April 2011, a new collection of poetry, She Walks in Beauty – A Woman's Journey Through Poems, edited and introduced by Kennedy, was published. She launched the book at the John F. Kennedy Library & Museum at Columbia Point, Dorchester, MA.

Citations

{{Reflist}}

Book sources

• {{cite book |ref=none |first=Christopher P. |last=Andersen |title=Sweet Caroline: Last Child of Camelot |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-06-103225-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=90E8S6F-M7EC}}
• {{cite book |ref=none |last=Heymann |first=C. David |title=American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-74-349739-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=APSWggj6oT0C&q=american+legacy}}

{{commons category|Caroline Kennedy}}

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• {{C-SPAN|1017440}}

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{{US Ambassadors to Australia}}

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