Bessette was born in White Plains, New York, in 1966. She was the youngest child of William J. Bessette, an engineer, and Ann Messina, an administrator in the New York City public school system. She had two older sisters, twins Lauren and Lisa. [1] She was Italian American on her mother's side. Bessette's parents divorced when she was very young.
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Who were Carolyn Bessette's parents?
Ann Messina FreemanWilliam J. BessetteCarolyn Bessette-Kennedy/Parents
What ethnicity was Carolyn Bessette?
Italian AmericanShe was Italian American on her mother's side. Bessette's parents divorced when she was very young. Her mother later remarried to Richard Freeman, an orthopedic surgeon, and moved to Old Greenwich, Connecticut, while Bessette's father stayed in White Plains. Bessette attended Juniper Hill Elementary School.
Who is Carolyn Bessette family?
John F. Kennedy Jr.Lauren BessetteLisa BessetteAnn Messina FreemanWilliam J. BessetteCarolyn Bessette-Kennedy/Family
What happened to Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's family?
Bessette died on July 16, 1999 when the plane her husband, John F. Kennedy Jr., was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off of Martha's Vineyard. Bessette's sister Lauren were also on the flight during the crash, which killed all three.
What perfume did Carolyn Bessette Kennedy wear?
Karim Abdul Egyptian Musk OilCarolyn Bessette Kennedy was known for wearing Karim Abdul Egyptian Musk Oil that she would buy from NYC street vendors.
Where is Carolyn Bessette buried?
Carolyn's ashes were scattered at sea off the coast of Martha's Vineyard, along with those of JFK Jr. and her sister Lauren, in a funeral service on the Navy's USS Briscoe, one of the ships sent to search for the missing trio. Socialite, Publicist and wife of John F. Kennedy Jr.
Who did JFK Jr leave his money to?
Kennedy's last will and testament stipulated that his personal belongings, property, and holdings were to be "evenly distributed" among his sister Caroline Kennedy's three children, who were among fourteen beneficiaries in his will.
How much money did Caroline Kennedy inherit?
Caroline Kennedy has inherited over $470 Million from her family.
How much is Caroline Kennedy worth?
between $67 million and $278 millionDuring her 2013 nomination to serve as ambassador to Japan, financial disclosure reports showed her net worth to be between $67 million and $278 million, including family trusts, government and public authority bonds, commercial property in New York, Chicago and Washington, and holdings in the Cayman Islands.
Did Carolyn Bessette wear jewelry?
Known for her understated style in both dress and jewelry, one of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's most prized possessions was a Van Cleef & Arpels Emerald Ring, given to her by Jackie Kennedy. The ring was originally given to Jackie by her husband, President John F.
Did Carolyn Bessette wear makeup?
One last element that I cannot forget to mention is the simple hair and makeup Carolyn was most often seem wearing. She really kept her makeup to a minimum and only every once in a while added a pop of color with red lipstick. Carolyn's hair is also very sleek like her wardrobe.
What caused the crash of JFK Jr?
Atlantic Ocean, off the west coast of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, U.S. The official investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that Kennedy fell victim to spatial disorientation while descending over water at night and consequently lost control of his plane.
Are Caroline Kennedy and Carole Radziwill friends?
Nearly 20 years later, Carole – now 54 – holds her friendship with JFK Jr. and Carolyn close to her heart. She still misses Carolyn "after all these years," and fondly recalls how her close friend was often at her side when Anthony was sick in the hospital.
How much is Caroline Kennedy worth?
between $67 million and $278 millionDuring her 2013 nomination to serve as ambassador to Japan, financial disclosure reports showed her net worth to be between $67 million and $278 million, including family trusts, government and public authority bonds, commercial property in New York, Chicago and Washington, and holdings in the Cayman Islands.
Did JFK Jr and Carolyn have a daughter?
Kennedy Jr. and his wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy did not have any children. The couple died when a plane Kennedy Jr. was flying crashed into the Atlantic on July 16, 1999 (here).
How old was Carolyn Bessette Kennedy when she died?
33 years (1966–1999)Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy / Age at death
Where did Carolyn and John meet?
Answering a question by her friend and former Real Housewives co-star Dorinda Medley, Carole Radziwill revealed that Carolyn and John were first introduced through Bessette's job at Calvin Klein. "They met when he went in for a fitting at Calvin Klein, I believe, and she was the person who dealt with celebrities coming in to get free clothes—I'm ...
Why did Radziwill break up with Carolyn?
You just felt like you knew her your whole life," she said. "And then, he broke up with her a few weeks later because he got back with his ex-girlfriend Daryl Hannah.".
Did Carolyn and John have their ups and downs?
But Carolyn and John had their ups and downs just like any other couple, maybe even more so. And at a screening last week for the new documentary JFK JR: The Final Year, those who knew the couple well shed light on their courtship.
Where was Bessette born?
Early life and education. Bessette was born in White Plains, New York, in 1966. She was the youngest child of William J. Bessette, an engineer, and Ann Messina, an administrator in the New York City public school system. She had two older sisters, twins Lauren and Lisa.
What high school did Bessette attend?
Raised in a Roman Catholic household, Bessette later attended St. Mary's High School. At St. Mary's, Bessette was voted by her classmates the "Ultimate Beautiful Person". During her high school experience, Bessette was described as being part of the "in crowd" and having attended "all the right parties".
How did Bessette Kennedy get disoriented?
Bessette-Kennedy was badly disoriented by the constant attention from the paparazzi. The couple were permanently on show, both at fashionable Manhattan events and on their travels to visit celebrities such as Mariuccia Mandelli and Gianni Versace. Bessette-Kennedy told her friend, Carole Radziwill, that the only way to avoid the paparazzi was to leave her apartment at 7 in the morning. She also complained to her friend, journalist Jonathan Soroff, that she could not get a job without being accused of exploiting her fame. Her minimalist "throwaway chic" fashion sense was chronicled by various fashion publications and drew repeated comparisons to her mother-in-law, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
What did Bessette Kennedy do at the end of her life?
Towards the end of her life, Bessette-Kennedy became more involved with charity work and often accompanied her husband to dinners at the White House (the couple were given a tour by President Bill Clinton in March 1998) and acted as the hostess for parties for her husband's political magazine George.
What happened to Bessette Kennedy after her wedding?
When the couple returned from their honeymoon, a mass of reporters was waiting on their doorstep.
When did Bessette and Kennedy start dating?
Bessette and Kennedy began dating in 1994 and became a popular paparazzi target, and gossip columns detailed where they ate and shopped, and even covered their arguments. Paparazzi often waited outside the couple's Tribeca apartment to snap photographs.
When did Bessette meet Kennedy?
Bessette first met Kennedy in 1992, while he was dating actress Daryl Hannah. Bessette and Kennedy began dating in 1994 and became a popular paparazzi target, and gossip columns detailed where they ate and shopped, and even covered their arguments. Paparazzi often waited outside the couple's Tribeca apartment to snap photographs.
Who are Carolyn's sisters?
Carolyn was the third child, with twin older sisters, Lauren and Lisa. Their parents divorced when she was 8 years old. Her mother soon remarried, and the three girls moved with her to Greenwich, Connecticut.
How old was Carolyn in 1984?
In 1984, an 18-year-old Carolyn arrived fresh-faced at Boston University, ready to pursue a degree in education. She quickly became popular on campus for her incredible good looks and sensational personality. She appeared in the "Girls of B.U." calendar during her last year at the school. Instagram.
How long did John wait for Carolyn to answer his proposal?
Carolyn made John wait three weeks for an answer to his proposal, finding herself at a crossroads. He popped the question during a weekend on Martha's Vineyard. "He went into this thing about how everything's better with a partner, not just fishing but life," RoseMarie recalled.
What happened to Carolyn and John?
They found themselves in an increasingly complicated place in the summer of 1999, when their lives were cut short in a tragic plane crash. The couple was allegedly debating whether they were ready to have kids, which would involve a move out of the city.
What was Carolyn trying to figure out about George?
Carolyn was trying to figure out what professional interests she wanted to explore. John was determining whether he could continue on with George.
Who is the author of Family and Parenting?
Family & Parenting. Published Jan 7, 2021. By. Angela Andaloro. Tyler Mallory/Liaison. Carolyn Bessette had a magnetism about her that she possessed her entire life. It's that casual magnetism that won the heart of one of the country's most desired bachelors, John F. Kennedy Jr.
Who is Carole Radziwill?
Carole Radziwill, a close friend of the couple who was married to Anthony Radziwill, John's cousin and best friend, imagined what the couple might be like today.
What happened to Carolyn and Lauren Bessette?
The couple, along with Carolyn's sister Lauren Bessette, were killed when a plane piloted by John crashed off the coast of Martha's Vineyard on the night of July 16, 1999.
Who is Carolyn's mother?
However, there have been claims Carolyn's mother Anne Freeman may have perceived things differently. In a recent interview with the New York Post, a university friend of JFK Jr. said the Bessette family was "never comfortable" with the pair's marriage.
Where did John Jr. and Carolyn fly to?
On the day of the tragedy, John Jr. and Carolyn were flying to the wedding of his cousin Rory Kennedy in Hyannis Port along with Lauren. (Lisa was studying abroad at the time, and Lauren was going to be dropped off at Martha’s Vineyard.)
Who was the sister of the Kennedy flight pilot?
But it’s here where one of the most tragic figures in our country’s modern history resides — Lisa Bessette, who lost her twin, Lauren, and sibling Carolyn on a doomed flight piloted by John F. Kennedy Jr. 20 years ago, leaving her the lone surviving sister.
Where did Lisa and John Jr. move to?
The family relocated to Greenwich, Conn. When her younger sister, Carolyn, got hitched to John Jr. during a small and secretive ceremony on Georgia’s Cumberland Island in 1996, Lisa was there too. She “was very close to both of her sisters,” said the acquaintance.
Did Lisa have social media?
Even after settling in Ann Arbor, she kept her circle of friends and acquaintances small. She has no known social media accounts and even recent images of her are nearly impossible to find. Enlarge Image.
Is Lisa a spectral presence?
Even abroad, however, Lisa is a spectral presence.
1. Her life now
Lisa Ann Bessette was born in White Plains, New York on November 5, 1964 alongside her twin Lauren. Her mother, Ann Freeman was a teacher and father, William Bessette worked for a kitchen design firm. When the girls were young, their parents went through a bitter divorce.
2. The crash
On July 16, 1999 when her sisters' plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, Lisa was in Munich working on her doctorate in Renaissance studies. JFK Jr. and Carolyn were flying to Hyannis Port to attend the wedding of his cousin Rory Kennedy. Lauren was going to be dropped off at Martha's Vineyard along the way.
3. She was very close to her sisters
When her younger sister Carolyn married John F. Kennedy Jr. on Cumberland Island, Georgia in 1996, Lisa was there. She was very close to both of her sisters, according to an aquaintence who knows Lisa today. She was, as mentioned, a twin with Lauren and Carolyn was just two years younger.
4. The acrimony between the Bessette and Kennedy families
Lisa, her parents and stepfather all attended the service for JFK Jr. and Carolyn but not long after, the relationship between the two families disintigrated. Steven Gillion, the auther of America's Reluctant Prince: The Life of John F. Kennedy Jr. told the New York Post that the Bessette family was never comfortable with the marriage.
5. The wrongful death lawsuit
Ann Freeman filed a wrongful death claim on behalf of her daughters against JFK Jr.'s estate. According to the Telegraph, Bessette's family settled with the Kennedy family for $15 million. “The agreement comes after months of legal wrangling.
6. She's abroad for the anniversary
Lisa Bessette is not in the U.S. for the anniversary of her sisters' deaths. Her partner Howard Lay teaches a six-week summer course in Paris called "Paris by Site." Lisa has gone to Paris with him.
Overview
Early life and education
Bessette was born in White Plains, New York, in 1966. She was the youngest child of William J. Bessette, an engineer, and Ann Messina, an administrator in the New York City public school system. She had two older sisters, twins Lauren and Lisa. She was Italian American on her mother's side.
Bessette's parents divorced when she was very young. Her mother later remarried to Richard Fre…
Career
After college and until her marriage to Kennedy, Bessette worked for Calvin Klein, a high-end American fashion house. During her successful career there, she went from being a saleswoman at the Chestnut Hill Mall in Newton, Massachusetts to becoming the director of publicity for the company's flagship store in Manhattan. While working for Klein in Boston, Bessette was noticed by Susan Sokol, a travelling sales coordinator for the company. Sokol, impressed with Bessette's gr…
Wedding
Kennedy and Bessette succeeded in keeping their September 21, 1996, wedding a secret from the press, avoiding media onlookers. The ceremony took place by candlelight on the remote Georgia island of Cumberland, in a tiny wooden chapel, the First African Baptist Church. The bride selected the then-little-known designer Narciso Rodriguez of Cerruti for her wedding dress of pearl-white silk crêpe. The groom's older sister, Caroline Kennedy, was matron of honor, and Anthony Radziwill, t…
Married life
After the wedding, the media attention surrounding the couple intensified, and Bessette-Kennedy often found it difficult to deal with the harassment. When the couple returned from their honeymoon, a mass of reporters was waiting on their doorstep.
John said, "Getting married is a big adjustment for us, and for a private citizen like Carolyn even more so. I ask you to give her all the privacy and room you can."
Plane crash and death
Bessette-Kennedy died on July 16, 1999, along with her husband and older sister Lauren, when the light plane he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the western coast of Martha's Vineyard. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the probable cause of the crash was: "The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a descent over water at night, which was a result of spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were haze and the dar…
In popular culture
Before marrying Kennedy, Bessette was in a relationship with Calvin Klein model Michael Bergin, who wrote a memoir titled The Other Man: John F. Kennedy Jr., Carolyn Bessette, and Me, which was published in 2004.
In 2004, Kennedy's fellow Brown University alumnus and ex-roommate, Robert T. Littell published, The Men We Became: My Friendship With John F. Kennedy Jr.
See also
• Kennedy Curse