Robert F Kennedy's granddaughter dies at 42 after years of health struggles

Kyle Kennedy, the granddaughter of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, has died at the age of 42.

Kennedy, the daughter of Michael Kennedy and Victoria Gifford Kennedy, died Sept. 21 at her Massachusetts home, according to an obituary published by Burke Funeral Homes.

Her cause of death remains pending, People reported.

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Born in Washington, D.C., on July 6, 1984, Kennedy spent much of her upbringing in Cohasset, Massachusetts. She attended Milton Academy before earning a bachelor’s degree in history from Georgetown University.

She went on to pursue advanced degrees in education, earning a master of science in early education from Pace University and a master of education in education policy and management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Robert Kennedy Jr., Ethel Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy and Kyle Kennedy attend the Ripple of Hope Awards Dinner at the New York Hilton in New York City on Dec. 11, 2013. (WireImage)

Kennedy began her professional life with Teach for America, teaching for two years in New York City public schools. That experience sparked a lifelong commitment to early childhood education and reform, according to her obituary.

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Over the course of her career, Kennedy worked as an advocate for equitable elementary education and charter schools, collaborated with education technology companies on curriculum improvement, and served as an instructional coach for primary school educators.

An avid athlete and long-distance runner, Kennedy completed the 2019 Boston Marathon.

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In 2020, Kennedy suffered a severe spinal cord injury that caused long-term paralysis and significant health obstacles.

Kyle Kennedy Kerr speaks onstage during the 2019 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Awards on Dec. 12, 2018, in New York City. (Getty Images for Robert F. Ken)

Following her injury, Kennedy focused on disability rights advocacy, including testifying at the Massachusetts State House on healthcare discrimination against individuals living with disabilities.

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Kennedy was preceded in death by her father, Michael, in 1997, and her infant daughter, Josie.

Kyle Kennedy Kerr speaks onstage during the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Awards on Dec. 12, 2018, in New York City. (Getty Images for Robert F. Ken)

Kennedy is survived by her sons, Conor, 12, and Declan, 10; her ex-husband, Liam; her mother, Victoria (the daughter of Frank Gifford and Maxine Avis Ewart and Kathie Lee Gifford’s stepdaughter); her brother, Michael, and his family; and her sister, Rory, and her family.

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Funeral services were held privately.

Khloe Quill is a lifestyle writer with Fox News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a range of story topics including food and drink, travel, and health.