Caroline Kennedy, the only surviving child of former President John F Kennedy and his wife, Jackie- has just released a book and a series of CDs’ that contain the never- before- heard conversations that the former First Lady had with Arthur Schlesinger, a historian and former friend of the couple. The recordings contained a number of surprises, much political incorrectness and the musings of a woman who was both educated and intelligent- yet believed that a woman’s real place was standing behind and supporting her man.
The world back then knew Jackie to be poised, well-mannered, demure and a silent partner to her powerful and charismatic husband. Indeed, this was the image that she presented to the world. However, as these conversations reveal- there was much more to the First Lady than anyone but her closet friends and family could have known. She had strong and very negative words for describing what she felt about icons like martin Luther King, JR and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.” Her catty and dismissive tone will come as surprise to all who knew her as a consummate hostess and guest to celebrities, heads of state and kings. This can also be said about her comments regarding politics, marriage and the role of women in society.
The phrase, “behind every successful man there is a powerful woman,” seems to apply well here. Some folks would say that this was the way it was back then- that women knew their place and the smart ones played along for the benefits. Others would say that women felt they had no choice- this was the only option available for them. Neither is really true- there were always choices and Jackie talks candidly about the ones she made and why.
Her life after Jack is also well known for the very different choices she made. She was married a second time to Aristotle Onassis and after his death, she decided to return to work and was hired as a book editor by Viking Press. She later resigned and went to work for Doubleday as an assistant editor. From the mid 1970’s until the time of her death, she lived with Maurice Tempelson- who was separated but never formally divorced from his wife. Her life was a study of how a woman’s personal views and lifestyle choices can change over time. Maturity, experience, triumph and tragedy change not only one’s view, but one’s desires as well. As Jackie went from a young wife and mother to a middle-aged twice widowed woman, she sought different achievements and apparently found happiness in a different kind of intimate relationship.
There is no one place for any women. The only rightful place is the one that she chooses, regardless of what others may think.
