Rosemary Kennedy, often overshadowed by her more famous siblings like Jackie, Caroline, and JFK, remains one of the most enigmatic figures in the Kennedy family. In Maureen Callahan’s new book, “Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed,” the tragic and shocking story of Rosemary is brought to light, revealing why she might be considered the most dangerous member of her famous family.
Rosemary, known as Rosie, was headstrong and carefree but struggled with mental health challenges. Her father, Joe Kennedy, who was the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, left her behind in England during World War II, claiming she was special and needed to keep him company. However, Joe’s true intentions were far more sinister. He supported Hitler’s forced sterilization plan and viewed Rosemary’s mental deficiencies as a blemish on the Kennedy image.
Despite her struggles, Rosemary cherished her father’s attention and approval. She even went on a strict diet and took injections to please him. However, Joe’s dissatisfaction with her intellectual failings led him to consider an experimental procedure: a lobotomy. Despite objections from other family members, Joe proceeded with the operation in November 1941, without even informing his wife, Rose.
The lobotomy left Rosemary incapacitated, reducing her to the mental capacity of a two-year-old. She could no longer walk, talk, or care for herself. Joe Kennedy explained her absence by claiming she was teaching mentally retarded children in another state, a cover story that hid the true horror of her condition.
Rosemary Kennedy’s story is a dark chapter in the Kennedy family history, highlighting the extreme measures Joe Kennedy took to maintain the family’s image. Her tragic fate serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of prioritizing public perception over the well-being of family members.
Source: New York Post, Little, Brown and Company
