The relationship between Jacqueline “Jackie” Lee Kennedy Onassis and her younger sister, Caroline Lee Radziwill, was as complex as it was captivating. Known for their elegance, style, and social prominence, these sisters shared a bond that was both affectionate and rife with rivalry.
Early Life and Family Background
Jacqueline Bouvier, born on July 28, 1929, in Southampton, New York, was the elder daughter of Janet Lee and John “Black Jack” Bouvier III. Her sister, Lee Radziwill, followed on March 3, 1933. The sisters grew up in a privileged yet tumultuous environment marked by their parents’ eventual divorce and their mother’s remarriage to Hugh D. Auchincloss. Despite the challenges, their upbringing at Auchincloss’s estates and elite schooling laid the foundation for their distinct yet intertwined paths.
Sibling Rivalry and Jealousy
Jealousy and Competition
The bond between Jackie and Lee was often strained by intense sibling rivalry. Author Laurence Leamer noted that Lee Radziwill was “obsessively jealous” of Jackie, particularly after Jackie became the First Lady of the United States. This jealousy was exacerbated by the different social standings and the immense attention Jackie received as the wife of President John F. Kennedy. Publicly, they appeared close, but privately, their relationship was fraught with competition over money, men, and status. Lee had even dated Aristotle Onassis before he married Jackie in 1968, adding another layer to their rivalry.
Support During Tragedy
Assassination of JFK
Despite their rivalry, Lee Radziwill was a significant source of support for Jackie following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Lee flew from London to Washington, D.C., to be with her sister and provided emotional support during the funeral and the difficult days that followed. She stayed with Jackie and her children until they moved out of the White House and helped Jackie settle into a new apartment in New York City, demonstrating the deep familial bond they shared despite underlying tensions.
Public Statements and Private Actions
Denial of Rivalry
In public statements, Lee Radziwill often downplayed the notion of rivalry. In a 1976 interview with PEOPLE, she called the talk of their rivalry “the most ludicrous talk in the world” and insisted that they were “exceptionally close and always have been.” However, actions spoke louder than words. When Jackie died in 1994, her will revealed that she left no money to Lee, stating that she had already provided for her during her lifetime. This decision highlighted the complicated nature of their relationship.
Shared Childhood and Divergent Paths
Early Life
The sisters shared a privileged yet tumultuous childhood, marked by their parents’ divorce and their mother’s remarriage to Hugh D. Auchincloss. They spent time at Auchincloss’s estates and attended elite schools, but their paths diverged significantly after graduation.
Different Lifestyles
While Jackie pursued academic excellence and eventually became the First Lady, Lee married into European nobility and became a prominent socialite. Their different lifestyles and choices further fueled their complex relationship, with Jackie embodying the role of a public figure and Lee navigating the glamorous world of European aristocracy.
Reconnection Before Jackie’s Death
Reconciliation
Despite periods of minimal contact and underlying jealousy, the sisters reconnected before Jackie’s death in 1994. According to Kennedy biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli, their relationship was nuanced and not “black and white,” with moments of both closeness and tension. This reconciliation highlighted the enduring complexity of their bond, demonstrating that, despite their differences, their sisterly affection prevailed.
Enduring Jealousy
Persistent Rivalry
Lee Radziwill’s jealousy of Jackie was a persistent issue throughout their lives. The different social standings, Jackie’s marriage to JFK, and her subsequent relationship with Aristotle Onassis all contributed to Lee’s feelings of being overshadowed. Despite this, Lee’s support during critical moments in Jackie’s life, such as the assassination of JFK, underscored the strength of their familial bond.
Legacy and Financial Dynamics
Financial Independence
Jackie Kennedy’s will, which left no provisions for Lee Radziwill, highlighted the financial independence and complexities within their relationship. Jackie had provided for Lee during her lifetime but chose not to include her in the will, a decision that underscored their complicated financial dynamics.
Public Scrutiny
The details of their financial relationship and Jackie’s will became a point of public interest, further illustrating the nuanced nature of their bond. This scrutiny revealed the layers of support, rivalry, and independence that defined their relationship.
Final Years and Renewed Interest
Lee Radziwill’s Death
The death of Lee Radziwill in February 2019 brought renewed attention to their complex and nuanced relationship, highlighting both the affection and rivalry that defined their bond. This renewed focus offered a more detailed understanding of their dynamic, which was often oversimplified as mere rivalry.
Impact on Public Perception
Biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli emphasized that their relationship was never “black and white” but filled with “shades of grey.” This complexity was revisited and explored in various media, providing a fuller picture of their bond.
The relationship between Jackie Kennedy and Lee Radziwill was marked by both deep affection and intense rivalry. Despite their differences, they managed to reconcile before Jackie’s death, demonstrating the enduring complexity of their sisterhood. Their bond, characterized by moments of deep support and affection interspersed with periods of tension and competition, continues to be a significant aspect of their enduring legacy.
Join Mrs. Nicole Michelle’s vibrant community of women seeking feminine growth. Find resources, courses, and support on her YouTube channel, websites (mrsnicolemichelle.com, theinnerbeautymovement.org), and the exclusive Feminine Elite Society App (iOS and Google Play). Connect with Nicole on Instagram and Facebook for daily inspiration!