John F. Kennedy, usually referred to by his initials “JFK” was an American politician who became the 35th President of the United States. He was born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts, to businessman and politician, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., and socialite, Rose Kennedy. He was the second oldest son after his brother, Joseph Jr., and had seven siblings including Rosemary, Kathleen, Eunice, Patricia, Robert, Jean, and Edward. In 1940, Kennedy graduated with Latin honors from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in government.
During World War II, Kennedy entered the U.S. Naval Reserve and commanded a series of PT boats in the Pacific. When PT-109 was rammed and sunk, Kennedy, who was then a lieutenant, rescued his fellow sailors, his swift actions earning him the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. Unfortunately, the war also took the life of his older brother, Joseph, forever altering the course of Kennedy’s life and setting him on the journey for the presidency. The future politician also suffered injuries that followed him throughout his lifetime.
After he left the army, Kennedy had a brief career as a journalist before representing the Boston district in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1953, he was elected and served as a junior senator for Massachusetts, during which he published his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “Profiles in Courage.” In 1960, Kennedy won the presidential election over Richard Nixon, making him the youngest elected president in history. Historians believed that the politician’s charisma and rhetoric, plus his excellent performance in the first televised presidential debates tipped the scales in his favor.
Kennedy’s term as president was one of the most tumultuous times in history. He oversaw the Cold War, the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion, Operation Mongoose, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. On November 22, 1963, while on an official visit to Dallas, Kennedy was assassinated by former U.S. Marine, Lee Harvey Oswald. After his death, Kennedy continued to be a figure of speculation, with many unanswered questions about his death, personal life, and most importantly, sexuality. So, was JFK gay? In this feature, we’ll finally put the rumors to rest.
VOTE: What was JFK’s Sexuality?
JFK and Jacqueline Bouvier
In 1952, Kennedy, who was then a young senator, met camera girl and reporter, Jacqueline Bouvier. They were introduced by a mutual friend and the pair quickly hit it off. The pairing was approved and encouraged by both families, so courtship was brief and resulted in an engagement the following year. Apparently, the details of Kennedy’s proposal are still up for debate with two restaurants both claiming that the former president popped the question at their spots.
Kennedy and Bouvier tied the knot on September 12, 1953, at St. Mary’s Church in Newport, Rhode Island. Their wedding was the most highly anticipated event of the year and was attended by diplomats, senators, public figures, and 900 reception guests. While their union was considered to be a match made in heaven, their marriage was far from perfect. Aside from multiple affairs, Jackie also had difficult pregnancies.
On August 23, 1956, Jackie gave birth to a stillborn daughter named Arabella. Unfortunately, Kennedy wasn’t present at the birth and was instead on a yacht in the Mediterranean with his current mistress. The politician’s absence put more salt in the wound, especially since they had suffered a miscarriage the year before. According to sources, this was one of the only two times that Jackie seriously considered divorce. However, her sister, Lee Radziwill, convinced her to stay in the marriage.
On November 27, 1957, the couple welcomed their daughter, Caroline Kennedy. In 1960, Kennedy ran for president while Jackie was six months pregnant with their second child. She gave birth to their only son, John F. Kennedy Jr., several days after Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th president of the United States. Three years later, Jackie gave birth to their third child, Patrick Kennedy, who passed away after 39 hours.
JFK and Jackie were an iconic duo during their time, with the latter becoming famous for her historic redesign of the White House. The couple were also together when Kennedy was assassinated. Several years after his death, Jackie married business magnate, Aristotle Onassis. According to rumors, the former First Lady apparently married Onassis for protection. He later died in March 1975 while Jackie passed away due to complications from cancer in May 1994.
Unfortunately, Kennedy’s family would mirror his tragic demise. The former president’s younger brother, Robert Kennedy, was also fatally shot five years later. In 1999, Kennedy’s only son, John Jr., died in a plane crash together with his wife, Carolyn Bessette, and his sister-in-law, Lauren Bessette. Kennedy’s only surviving child, Caroline Kennedy, outlived her entire family and became an attorney and diplomat.
JFK’s High-Profile Relationships
Despite the tragic end to his legacy, Kennedy continues to be a controversial yet interesting public figure. The politician’s personal life is the subject of many books and films, especially his long list of extramarital affairs. It’s no secret that Kennedy had a wandering eye and engaged in many high-profile relationships throughout his marriage. Here’s a brief summary of Kennedy’s confirmed lovers.
JFK and Diana de Vegh (1958)
In 2012, a woman named Diana de Vegh came forward with a claim that she had engaged in an affair with Kennedy when he was still a senator. The pair allegedly met at a dinner benefit and hooked up several times after. According to de Vegh, she moved to Washington after Kennedy was elected with the hopes of continuing their relationship. At some point during her story, de Vegh admitted that she was infatuated and described the former president as a notorious womanizer.
JFK and Mary Pinchot Meyer (1958-1963)
Not long after meeting de Vegh, Kennedy got together with Mary Pinchot Meyer. It was revealed later that Meyer documented her affair with Kennedy. In 2016, a love letter from JFK to Meyer turned up at an auction, revealing intimate details of their liaisons. In a shocking turn of events, Meyer died in October 1964 after being shot twice. Unfortunately, her murder is still unsolved and is the subject of many JFK conspiracies.
JFK and Judith Exner (1960-1962)
During the early 1960s, Kennedy formed a relationship with Judith Exner who was closely associated with mobster, Sam Giancana. Based on the rumors, Exner was Kennedy’s “middle man” to Giancana. She also became famous after she claimed that she was pregnant with the president’s child, but later had an abortion.
JFK and Marilyn Monroe (1961-1962)
In May 1962, actress and sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe, performed her iconic “Happy Birthday” performance at Madison Square Garden. This event sparked the highly speculated affair between Monroe and Kennedy. In 2010, a photograph of the pair was released, considered to be the only image of Monroe and Kennedy together. Their relationship would be discussed for years to come, even outliving both figures altogether.
JFK and Mimi Alford (1962-1963)
Kennedy also had an affair with Mimi Alford who interned at the White House in 1962. She published a memoir where she recalled the details of their 18-month-long relationship. Alford also revealed that JFK’s assistant, Dave Powers, was the one who scouted women for the former president.
JFK’s Friendship With Lem Billings
There were many rumors surrounding Kennedy’s sexuality. One of the strongest evidence contributing to this speculation was the politician’s friendship with childhood best friend, Kirk LeMoyne Billings, also known as “Lem.” The duo were extremely close throughout their lives and even traveled together. Kennedy was also often pictured with Billings, usually in intimate settings.
It was also widely believed that Billings was gay during a time when homosexuality was still illegal. The Kennedys apparently kept his secret and accepted Billings for who he was. While Kennedy may have been aware of his friend’s interest in the same sex, it was never confirmed whether the future president himself felt the same way. However, the politician did acknowledge Billings’ profound influence on his life. After Kennedy’s assassination, Billings was devastated and worked hard to preserve his friend’s legacy.
Was JFK Gay?
No, JFK wasn’t gay. Kennedy was married to Jackie Kennedy until his assassination in 1963. The couple had two children, Caroline and John Jr. The former president was infamous for his many affairs with high-profile women. Although his sexuality has been put into question, the fact still stands that Kennedy was straight.
Featured Image: “JFK”, by White House Press Office (WHPO), licensed under PDM 1.0 DEED