John F. Kennedy Net Worth
Publish date: 2024-07-28
| # | Fact |
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| 1 | He increased the number of American soldiers in South Vietnam, and tolerated an illegal coup d'état there on 1-2 November 1963. |
| 2 | He refused to provide air support for the Bay of Pigs invasion, even though Dwight D. Eisenhower had provided air support for the 1954 Guatemalan coup d'etat. |
| 3 | During the Cuban Missile Crisis he secretly agreed to remove US missiles from Turkey and Italy, and publicly announced that the United States would never invade Cuba again. |
| 4 | His older sister, 'Rosemary Kennedy', was born with learning deficits and had to be placed in alternative school. This shamed their father, Joseph P. Kennedy, who wanted all of his Kennedy children to be perfect in every way. In 1941 he forced Rosemary to undergo a lobotomy that went devastatingly wrong, causing her to become mentally incapacitated for the rest of her life. |
| 5 | His younger sister, Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy, married English politician and soldier William Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington, in the spring of 1944. This angered father Joseph P. Kennedy, who hated the idea of his Irish-American daughter marrying a British man. |
| 6 | His great-grandfather, Patrick Kennedy, was a very poor Irish immigrant who emigrated to America in the fall of 1848. He fell sick from cholera and died in his Boston home on November 22, 1858, exactly 105 years to the day of JFK's assassination. |
| 7 | The Kennedy assassination (Nov. 22, 1963) occurred on a Friday. The 50th anniversary of the Kennedy assassination (Nov. 22, 2013) also fell on a Friday. |
| 8 | After the parade through Dallas, Kennedy was scheduled to attend a Texas barbecue and then spend the night at Vice President Lyndon Johnson's ranch. Johnson had organized a whip-cracking and sheep-herding demonstration for Kennedy's entertainment. |
| 9 | Was the first US President to be born in the 20th century. |
| 10 | Was the first Irish-American President. |
| 11 | Only US President to predecease both his parents: (father) Joseph P. Kennedy (d. 18 November 1969); (mother) Rose Kennedy (d. 22 January 1995). |
| 12 | His 1953 marriage to Jacqueline Kennedy (then Jacqueline Bouvier) was celebrated at St. Mary's Church in Newport, RI, where more than 700 guests were in attendance. The couple later went to Hammersmith Farm overlooking Narragansett Bay (Rhode Island Sound), where a reception for 900 guests was lavishly catered. Best man at the wedding was Kennedy's brother Robert F. Kennedy. Among the ushers were Ted Kennedy, George A. Smathers and Sargent Shriver. Jacqueline's matron-of-honor was sister Lee Bouvier (aka Lee Radziwill). |
| 13 | When he visited Ireland in late June 1963, he became the first sitting US. President to set foot on Irish soil. |
| 14 | Journalist Jeff Greenfield (who later became a speech writer for Robert F. Kennedy) described Jack as "the guy who looked like your cool older brother". |
| 15 | During his entire political career, he never once lost a single election. |
| 16 | Despite their later close bond, he and brother Robert F. Kennedy were not close growing up. This was due, in part, to the eight-year age difference between them. It was not until Jack, during his third term as a Massachusetts congressman, took a seven-week trip through the Far East and parts of the Middle East, and took Bobby (who had just graduated from law school) with him that they grew closer. During the trip the duo discovered their mutual similarities and forged the deep bond that would last until Jack's death. Jack appointed Bobby his campaign manager in 1952 and in 1960 he was reportedly so close to Bobby that while he was President he would often ask "Where's Bobby?" during important meetings, and would finally relax when Bobby showed up. For his part, Bobby's devout loyalty to Jack was often ridiculed and parodied by the media. Bobby, loving to poke fun at himself, often joked, "If I find the guy who says I'm too ruthless, I'll kill him". |
| 17 | Considered his younger brother Robert F. Kennedy to be his top advisor and closest friend. Bobby similarly felt the same way about Jack and was "utterly devastated" by Jack's death in 1963. Friends and family said that, after his brother's death, Bobby was never the same man. |
| 18 | Uncle of Anthony Radziwill and Tina Radziwill. |
| 19 | The Oscar-winning "High Hopes" (from A Hole in the Head (1959)) was Kennedy's official presidential campaign song. |
| 20 | He is mentioned in the lyrics of the songs "Killer Queen" by Queen, "Hey Manhattan!" by Prefab Sprout and "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel. |
| 21 | PT 109--the boat that he commanded during World War II--was mentioned on more than one occasion on the television series, McHale's Navy (1962), Kennedy is referred to, but he is never mentioned by name. On at least one episode, however, PT 109 is seen backing out of the dock next to the one where McHale's PT boat is, although no one can be seen on it. |
| 22 | When he died in 1963 he left an estate estimated at $10 million, all of which derives from trust funds established by his father, Joseph P. Kennedy. |
| 23 | The street Rue John-F-Kennedy in downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada, is named in his honor. |
| 24 | His portrait appears on the US half-dollar coin. |
| 25 | His sister Jean Kennedy Smith was US ambassador to Ireland from June 1993-September 1998. |
| 26 | He was a big fan of the Boston Red Sox baseball team. This was something instilled in him by his grandfather, Boston mayor John Francis Fitzgerald (aka "Honey Fitz"), who was himself a member of The Royal Rooters, a turn-of-the-century Red Sox fan club. |
| 27 | Fourth US president to be assassinated (unsuccessful attempts had been made on Presidents Andrew Jackson and Harry S. Truman, and on President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt) and the seventh president to die in office. Ironically, all presidents to have died in office since the first (William Henry Harrison in 1841) were elected 20 years apart: Harrison in 1840, Abraham Lincoln in 1860, James Garfield in 1880, William McKinley in 1900, Warren G. Harding in 1920, Roosevelt in 1940 and Kennedy in 1960. Ironically, Kennedy and his retinue had been aware of this "20-year curse" on the Presidency. Ronald Reagan (elected 1980) was the victim of an assassin's bullet in 1981, but he survived and broke the 120-year curse that had plagued the US Presidency. |
| 28 | Was a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, belonging to both the Bunker Hill No. 62 and the Bishop Cheverus General Assembly. |
| 29 | Encouraged Kirk Douglas to make the anti-nuclear movie Seven Days in May (1964). |
| 30 | Was an avid reader, and at one point expressed his fondness for the James Bond novels of Ian Fleming. He said that a particular favorite was "From Russia with Love". For this reason, the producers of the Bond series made From Russia with Love (1963) the second Bond film. |
| 31 | Both he and his brother Robert F. Kennedy have been portrayed by Martin Sheen. |
| 32 | Uncle of Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Joseph Kennedy and Congressman Patrick Kennedy. |
| 33 | Grandson of Congressman John F. Fitzgerald. |
| 34 | Was portrayed by Stephen Collins in A Woman Named Jackie (1991) and Martin Donovan in RFK (2002). |
| 35 | Although privately he suffered from numerous illnesses and ailments, he insisted on a public image of rugged fitness and masculinity. Following his infamous debate against Richard Nixon, he spent a week in Florida tanning and working out on the beach. He was often photographed playing football with younger brother Robert F. Kennedy, working out and playing various sports with his family. In one famous photograph, he is pictured wearing a leather jacket, jeans and sunglasses, casually leaning against a wall. In reality, he was so exhausted from getting over a virus and the job, that he literally fell asleep standing up. |
| 36 | He had numerous bizarre distant connections with the 16th US president, Abraham Lincoln. |
| 37 | Brother-in-law of Lee Radziwill |
| 38 | "Black Jack", the riderless horse that served at his funeral, also participated in the funeral ceremonies of Presidents Herbert Hoover and Lyndon Johnson and Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Coincidentally, "Black Jack" was also the nickname of Jacqueline Kennedy's father. |
| 39 | The second of only two US presidents to be entombed in Arlington National Cemetery, the first being William Howard Taft. |
| 40 | Was portrayed by Martin Sheen in the miniseries Kennedy (1983). |
| 41 | In the course of his famous 1963 speech near the Berlin Wall, Kennedy had meant to say, "Ich bin Berliner" (I am a Berliner). Since nationalities in German are not preceded by articles, Kennedy actually said, "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am one with the people of Berlin). The urban legend that it translates into "I am a jelly donut" is a myth, since the pastry is known in Germany as "pfannkuchen" (pan cake). |
| 42 | The Lincoln Continental convertible limousine (plate: GG 300) in which he and then Texas governor John Connally and wife Nellie Connally were riding in on the day of Kennedy's assassination is on display in a museum in Dearborn, MI. |
| 43 | He, Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby all died in Parkland Hospital in Dallas, TX. |
| 44 | His assassination inspired journalist Hunter S. Thompson to create his famous phrase, "Fear and Loathing". |
| 45 | His funeral took place on the same day as that of Lee Harvey Oswald and Officer J.D. Tippit, the Dallas policeman who was killed by Oswald. |
| 46 | His favorite film was Spartacus (1960). |
| 47 | In stark contrast to his own poor physical health, his younger brother Robert F. Kennedy was a very strong and physically active man who enjoyed hiking and canoeing among other outdoor sports. |
| 48 | Was a natural speed reader. He could read about 2,500 wpm (ten times the average reading speed). He would read six newspapers from front to back while he had breakfast. |
| 49 | His Vice President, Texas congressman Lyndon Johnson, campaigned against him for the presidential spot in 1960, and Kennedy later chose him to be his Vice President because he needed Johnson to win over southern voters. John's brother, Robert F. Kennedy, disliked Johnson intensely and the feeling was mutual. |
| 50 | US Senator from Massachusetts from 1953-61. |
| 51 | Although he was the youngest person elected president, he was not the youngest person to become president. That was Theodore Roosevelt, who became president after William McKinley was shot. |
| 52 | Died November 22, 1963, the same day as C.S. Lewis and Aldous Huxley. |
| 53 | While in office, the family Secret Service code names were: Lancer (The President); Lace (Jacqueline Kennedy); Lyric (Caroline Kennedy); Lark (John Kennedy Jr.). |
| 54 | During his tenure at the White House, Kennedy, like Herbert Hoover before him, refused to accept a presidential salary. |
| 55 | During a stopover in Palm Beach, FL, en route to Dallas, TX, on November 17, 1963, a private screening of Tom Jones (1963) was organized for him. It was the last film he saw. |
| 56 | In 1961 he was chosen as Time Magazine's "Man of the Year". |
| 57 | Pictured on the 13¢ US postage stamp in the original Prominent Americans series, issued 29 May 1967 (50th anniversary of his birth). |
| 58 | Pictured on a 5¢ US memorial postage stamp issued 29 May 1964 (birthday following assassination). |
| 59 | Uncle of Christopher Lawford |
| 60 | His father never called him Jack, he always called him Johnny. |
| 61 | Brother of Ted Kennedy, Jean Kennedy Smith and Eunice Kennedy Shriver. |
| 62 | Son of Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Kennedy. |
| 63 | He was the youngest man elected President, and the youngest to die. |
| 64 | Served in the United States Navy during World War II. |
| 65 | In 1955 he wrote "Profiles in Courage", which won the Pulitzer Prize in history in 1957. |
| 66 | Was named after his grandfather, John Fitzgerald, who was elected mayor of Boston, MA, in 1905. |
| 67 | He graduated from Harvard in 1940. |
| 68 | He created the Peace Corps. |
| 69 | Suffered from Addison's disease. |
| 70 | In 1940 he wrote the best-selling book "While England Slept", about some of the decisions which led to World War II. |
| 71 | Was elected to the House of Representatives in 1946 and to the United States Senate in 1952. |
| 72 | Graduated from the Choate School in Connecticut in 1935. |
| 73 | Daughter Caroline Kennedy, born 27 November 1957. |
| 74 | Appointed his brother, Robert F. Kennedy, as US Attorney General. After his appointment, Congress enacted laws to prevent immediate family members from serving in the President's cabinet. |
| 75 | Was instrumental in the creation of the space program, and in just eight years (1961-69) the US sent a man to the moon. |
| 76 | His fourth child, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, died from infant respiratory-distress syndrome two days after his birth in the summer of 1963. |
| 77 | Son John Kennedy Jr., born 25 November 1960 and died 16 July 1999. |
| 78 | In 1956 his wife Jacqueline Kennedy gave birth to their first child, Arabella Kennedy. She was stillborn. |
| 79 | Attended the installation in Rome of Pope Pius XII with his parents and family. |
| 80 | Was the 35th President of the US, from 1961-63. |
| 81 | Was the youngest elected US President. |
| 82 | Was the first and to date only Roman Catholic US President. |
| 83 | Believed to have been shot by Lee Harvey Oswald, who was later killed by Jack Ruby. |
| 84 | Uncle of Maria Shriver. |
| 85 | Brother-in-law of Peter Lawford. |
| 86 | Father of Arabella Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, John Kennedy Jr., and Patrick Bouvier Kennedy. |
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