LoC Blog: Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis

One of America’s most prominent first ladies, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis was born on July 28, 1929. Educated at Miss Porter’s School, Vassar College, and the Sorbonne, she earned a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University. After college, Onassis worked as the Washington Times-Herald‘s “inquiring photographer.”

First official White House photograph of Mrs. John F. Kennedy, Mark Shaw, photographer, 1961. First Ladies of the United States: Selected Images from the Collections of the Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division

In 1952, she met the Democratic senator from Massachusetts, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and a year later the two were married. The Kennedys had two children who grew to adulthood, Caroline, born in 1957, and John Jr., born shortly after his father’s 1960 election as president.

Bouvier-Kennedy wedding portrait. Toni Frissell, photographer, Sept 12, 1953. Toni Frisell Collection. Prints & Photographs Division

To the role of First Lady, Mrs. Kennedy brought her interest in history and her appreciation of the fine and decorative arts. She focused on restoring the White House rather than merely redecorating her new home. Mrs. Kennedy established a White House Fine Arts Commission, hired a curator, and published the first historic guide to the Executive Mansion. She used her position and influence to acquire significant antiques for the residence. In 1962, the First Lady welcomed the public into the residence by hosting the first televised tour of the White House.
Mrs. Kennedy carried out the more traditional duties of presidential hostess with grace and style. In addition to presiding over state functions at home, she was a successful ambassador to foreign shores. On trips abroad, she proved nearly as popular as the president. Well educated, fashionably dressed, and fluent in their language, she was embraced by the French on a 1961 trip. His wife was so admired there, that President Kennedy quipped at a state dinner, “I do not think it altogether inappropriate to introduce myself…I am the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris, and I have enjoyed it.” She was also warmly welcomed on a solo goodwill tour to India and Pakistan the following year.

Jaqueline Bouvier Kennedy at the Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 1962. External The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum External

Following President Kennedy’s assassination, Jacqueline Kennedy’s image was seared into the minds of the American public who, via television, saw her return, blood-stained, to the capital. Mrs. Kennedy’s remarkable composure in the days that followed, and her quiet determination to see the slain president buried in an appropriate manner facilitated the collective mourning of the American people.

Arlington House, Robert E. Lee’s former home, stands high above the Kennedy family gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. Carol M. Highsmith, photographer, between 1980 and 2006. Highsmith (Carol M.) Archive. Prints & Photographs Division

In 1968, Mrs. Kennedy married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. After his death in 1975, she embarked on a successful career as an editor in the publishing industry. Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis died in 1994 and is buried beside her first husband in Arlington National Cemetery.

via https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/july-28#jacqueline-bouvier-kennedy-onassis