Patricia Kennedy.

Patricia Helen Kennedy

Born 6 May 1924 Brookline, United States

Died 17 Sep 2006 New York City, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 102 yr If Living

6 min read

Reading time

1,090

Words

Apr 4, 2026

Published

TL;DR

Patricia Kennedy, born in 1924 in Brookline, Massachusetts, was the fourth daughter of Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy. She married actor Peter Lawford in 1954 and had four children. She appeared on television programs V.I.P.-Schaukel and Relatively Speaking. She died from complications of pneumonia in New York City in 2006 at age 82.

Identity & family.

KIN · 15

Names, aliases, and relatives of Patricia Kennedy — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Patricia Helen Kennedy

Nicknames Pat

Aliases Pat Lawford

Parents: Rose Kennedy Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.
Spouses: Peter Lawford
Children: Christopher Lawford Sydney Lawford Victoria Lawford Robin Lawford
Siblings: Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. John F. Kennedy Rosemary Kennedy Kathleen Cavendish Eunice Kennedy Shriver Robert F. Kennedy Jean Kennedy Smith Ted Kennedy

At a glance.

STATS

Patricia Kennedy by the numbers — life, work, and family.

82 Years lived

1 Marriage

4 Children

Who was Patricia Kennedy?

BIOGRAPHY

Patricia Kennedy — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Patricia Helen Kennedy was born on May 6, 1924, in Brookline, Massachusetts, the fourth daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Kennedy. Growing up in a large family of nine children, she was surrounded by political ambition and public service. Her father, a prominent businessman and diplomat, and her mother, a philanthropist, instilled in her a sense of duty. She attended Rosemont College, a Catholic women’s college near Philadelphia, where she completed her education.

Career

Patricia Kennedy appeared on the television programs V.I.P.-Schaukel and Relatively Speaking in the 1960s. Her screen roles were limited, but she was a visible figure in the Kennedy social circle. She devoted her time to family life and supporting her husband Peter Lawford‘s acting career.

Personal life

Patricia married actor Peter Lawford on April 24, 1954. The couple had four children: Christopher 1955–2018, Sydney born 1956, Victoria born 1958, and Robin born 1961. They divorced on February 1, 1966. Patricia remained active in the Kennedy family and was an aunt to Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Legacy

Patricia Kennedy was the fourth daughter of the prominent Kennedy family. Her siblings included President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Through her children, the Kennedy legacy continues. She was the aunt of Maria Shriver, a journalist and former First Lady of California, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former Governor of California.

Did you know?

FACTS · 4

Little-known facts about Patricia Kennedy — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Patricia was one of nine children, with brothers Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and Senator Ted Kennedy, and sisters Rosemary Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, and Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith.
She had four children with Peter Lawford: Christopher 1955–2018, Sydney born 1956, Victoria born 1958, and Robin born 1961.
Patricia was the fourth daughter born to Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Kennedy.
She was the aunt of Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 30

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Patricia Kennedy.

When was Patricia Kennedy born?

Patricia Kennedy was born on May 6, 1924, in Brookline, Massachusetts. She was the fourth daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Kennedy.
Where was Patricia Kennedy born?

She was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. Her family home was in the Boston area.
When did Patricia Kennedy die?

She died on September 17, 2006, at the age of 82, in New York City.
How old was Patricia Kennedy when she died?

She was 82 years old at the time of her death on September 17, 2006.
Where did Patricia Kennedy die?

She died in New York City, New York, at a hospital after complications from pneumonia.
How did Patricia Kennedy die?

She died from complications due to pneumonia in New York City on September 17, 2006. She was 82.
What was Patricia Kennedy's real name?

Her full birth name was Patricia Helen Kennedy. She was also known by her married name, Pat Lawford.
What nationality was Patricia Kennedy?

She was American. She was born in the United States and lived in the U.S. her entire life.
What language did Patricia Kennedy speak?

Her native language was English.
Who were Patricia Kennedy's parents?

Her parents were Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., a prominent businessman and ambassador, and Rose Kennedy, a philanthropist.
Who was Patricia Kennedy married to?

She was married to actor Peter Lawford from April 24, 1954, until their divorce on February 1, 1966.
Did Patricia Kennedy have children?

Yes, she had four children with Peter Lawford: Christopher 1955–2018, Sydney born 1956, Victoria born 1958, and Robin born 1961.
Does Patricia Kennedy have any siblings?

Yes, she had eight siblings, including President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Senator Ted Kennedy, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, and others.
Where did Patricia Kennedy go to school?

She attended Rosemont College, a Catholic women’s college in Pennsylvania.
What was Patricia Kennedy's nickname?

She was often called Pat by family and friends. The nickname was a common shortening of Patricia.
Why was Patricia Kennedy also known as Pat Lawford?

After her marriage to actor Peter Lawford in 1954, she used the name Pat Lawford professionally and socially. She was often referred to as Pat Lawford during her marriage.
What was Patricia Kennedy known for?

She was known for her appearances on television shows V.I.P.-Schaukel and Relatively Speaking. She was also recognized as a member of the Kennedy family.
Who were Patricia Kennedy's relatives?

Her relatives included numerous nieces and nephews, such as Robert Shriver, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Maria Shriver, Caroline Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, and John Kennedy Jr.
What was Patricia Kennedy's relationship to President John F. Kennedy?

She was the sister of President John F. Kennedy. They were among the nine children of Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy.
Was Patricia Kennedy related to Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Yes, she was the aunt of Arnold Schwarzenegger through his marriage to her niece, Maria Shriver.
What is Patricia Kennedy's connection to the Kennedy political dynasty?

She was the sister of President John F. Kennedy and Senators Robert F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy, making her a central figure in the Kennedy family.
Did Patricia Kennedy appear in any films or TV shows?

Yes, she appeared on the television programs V.I.P.-Schaukel and Relatively Speaking.
How many children did Patricia Kennedy have?

She had four children: Christopher, Sydney, Victoria, and Robin, all with her husband Peter Lawford.
When did Patricia Kennedy divorce Peter Lawford?

They divorced on February 1, 1966 after nearly 12 years of marriage.
What was Patricia Kennedy's role in the Kennedy family?

As the fourth daughter of Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy, she was actively involved in family affairs and often represented the family at social events.
How many siblings did Patricia Kennedy have?

She had eight siblings, including four brothers and four sisters, making her one of nine Kennedy children.
What was the cause of Patricia Kennedy's death?

The cause of her death was complications from pneumonia. She passed away in New York City on September 17, 2006.
Did Patricia Kennedy have a career in entertainment?

She had limited appearances on television, notably on V.I.P.-Schaukel and Relatively Speaking, but she was not a professional entertainer.
Who were Patricia Kennedy's siblings?

Her siblings were Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., President John F. Kennedy, Rosemary Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, and Senator Ted Kennedy.
What was Patricia Kennedy's full name at birth?

Her full birth name was Patricia Helen Kennedy. She was the fourth daughter of Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy.

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Michael is the last person to read a profile before it goes live, which makes him the one who catches what everyone else missed. 5 years as a copy editor has given him a sharp sense for what's off. A wrong year, a vague credit, a sentence that almost makes sense but doesn't quite. He's especially thorough with filmographies. He'll tell you that's where most of the errors hide. He's right.

Published on April 4, 2026

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