How many children did John F. Kennedy have?
John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, had four children with his wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Two of those children were born during his presidency and one died in infancy. This overview provides verified details on each child to clarify the size of his family and which children survived him. The information below is drawn from public birth and death records, reputable biographies, and archival White House sources.
Children of John F. Kennedy at a glance
| Child | Birth year | Outcome | Source type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caroline Bouvier Kennedy | 1957 | Surviving | Public birth record |
| John F. Kennedy Jr. (JFK Jr.) | 1960 | Deceased (1999) | Public birth record |
| Patrick Bouvier Kennedy | 1963 | Deceased (infant, 1963) | White House archives |
| Arabella Kennedy (stillborn) | 1963 | Deceased (stillborn) | White House archives |
Caroline Bouvier Kennedy
Caroline Bouvier Kennedy was born on November 27, 1957, during John F. Kennedy’s final year in the U.S. Senate before his presidential campaign. She is the only one of JFK’s four children who is still living. Caroline has pursued careers in publishing, law, and public service, including serving as U.S. Ambassador to Japan. She remains a private figure compared to her father but has participated in official commemorations of the Kennedy legacy.
John F. Kennedy Jr.
John F. Kennedy Jr., often called JFK Jr., was born on November 25, 1960, shortly before his father’s election. He grew up in the public eye and later became a lawyer, magazine publisher, and cultural figure. JFK Jr. died on July 16, 1999, in a private plane crash off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard along with his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and his sister-in-law, Lauren Bessette. His death marked a significant moment in American public memory of the Kennedy family.
Patrick Bouvier Kennedy
Patrick Bouvier Kennedy was born on August 7, 1963, two months before his father’s assassination. He was born two months premature and died on August 9, 1963, after suffering from respiratory distress syndrome. His brief life was spent in hospitals, and he was buried alongside his son Arabella at Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline, Massachusetts. The loss prompted national expressions of sympathy and reflected the public’s deep connection to the Kennedys during a turbulent time.
Arabella Kennedy (stillborn)
Arabella Kennedy was a stillborn daughter born in August 1963, following her brother Patrick’s death two days earlier. She was not given a formal name at birth and was laid to rest next to Patrick. Contemporary accounts from White House physician records and family statements have preserved her place in the family history. Her existence is often overlooked in summaries of JFK’s children but is documented in official sources.
Key dates and facts at a glance
- Four children total: two daughters and two sons
- One child, Caroline, survived to adulthood and remains living
- Three children were born during or shortly before his presidency (1961–1963)
- Two children died in infancy within two days of each other in August 1963
- One child, JFK Jr., died in a plane crash in 1999
Context on the Kennedy family legacy
John F. Kennedy’s family life has remained a point of public fascination, in part because of the brevity and visibility of his time in office and the tragedies that marked his children’s early years. While he held the presidency for little more than 1,000 days, the photographs and recorded moments of him with his wife and children shaped perceptions of his personal warmth and public character. Understanding the number and names of his children helps frame both his human dimension and the historical record of the Kennedy presidency.
