Kyle Kennedy dies at 42: RFK’s granddaughter lost father in ski accident at 13, baby daughter Josie days after birth

Kyle Kennedy, daughter of Michael Kennedy and Victoria Denise Gifford, died at the age of 42 on September 21. She suffered heartbreaking family losses long before her death at the age of 42. She lost her father, Michael Kennedy, in a skiing accident when she was 13 and later experienced the death of her infant daughter, Josie, just days after her birth.

Kyle Kennedy, an educator and disability rights advocate, died at her home in Westwood, Massachusetts, on September 21, 2026, according to her obituary published by Burke Funeral Homes. Her cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, with her death certificate listing it as pending, PEOPLE reported.

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Kyle Kennedy lost her father and infant daughter Josie

Kyle Kennedy lost her father Michael Kennedy, the son of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, on December 31, 1997. Michael died following a skiing accident in Aspen, Colorado when he was just 39. According to reports, he struck a tree while skiing and left behind his wife, Victoria Denise Gifford, and their children, including Kyle, who was 13 at the time. Michael's death was a devastating loss for the family. He was one of Robert and Ethel Kennedy's 11 children. Along with her work in schools, Kennedy was also an avid runner and completed the Boston Marathon in 2019 — even beating her father’s own time by 20 minutes.

Another tragic moment in Kyle Kennedy's life happened when her infant daughter, Josephine, also known as Josie died. Kyle tied knot to Liam Kerr in August 2012, and the couple later welcomed twins, Conor and Josie. Their daughter died “after a few short days of life,” according to Kyle's obituary.

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A spinal cord injury left Kyle Kennedy paralysed

Kyle Kennedy was born on July 6, 1984, in Washington, DC, and spent much of her early life in Massachusetts. Despite losing her father at a young age, she stayed strong and went on to pursue higher education and build a career focused on helping children and improving access to education.

In 2020, Kennedy suffered a severe spinal cord injury that resulted in long-term paralysis and other medical challenges. The injury changed her life, but she continued to focus on her children and became an advocate for people living with disabilities.

Kyle earned a history degree at Georgetown University, then a Master of Science in Early Education from Pace University and a Master of Education in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. In August 2012, she married Liam Kerr at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston. In the years that followed, Kyle and Kerr welcomed three children together.

She is survived by her 12-year-old Conor and 10-year-old Declan; her mother; brother Michael; sister Rory; and nieces and nephews McKie, Quinn, Jack and Caleb.

She was one of 34 grandchildren of Bobby and Ethel and dedicated her life to early childhood education and served as an advocate for people living with disabilities.

After acquiring her Master of Education from Harvard University, Kennedy joined Teach for America and taught for two years in the New York City public school system.