Edward Moore Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on February 22, 1932. His parents were Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Kennedy. He was the younger brother of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy. "Ted" Kennedy graduated Harvard University in 1956 and the University of Virginia Law School in 1959. He campaigned for his brother John during the latter's 1960 presidential bid. Ted was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1962 and has held that position ever since. As a Senator he has served as majority whip and chaired Senate committees. His rise was hampered by the Chappaquiddick Island incident on July 18, 1969, when he occidentally drove his car off a bridge, resulting in the drowning of his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne. He was convicted of leaving the scene of an accident. In 1980 he unsuccessfully challenged Jimmy Carter for the Democratic presidential nomination.


As the senior U.S. Senator from Massachusetts since 1962. He was first elected to the Senate on 6 November 1962 after a special election was held. Uncle of Maria Shriver, and so by marriage of Arnold Schwarzenegger Uncle of John Kennedy Jr., Caroline Kennedy, Rory Kennedy, Robert Shriver, Kerry Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Joseph Kennedy and Christopher Lawford. Brother-in-law of Jacqueline Kennedy, Sargent Shriver and Ethel Kennedy. Youngest of nine siblings, and the only male living (as of January 2008). Joe died in a wartime plane crash, and John and Robert were both assassinated. Was portrayed by Kevin Hare in RFK (2002) (TV) and Dylan Price in "A Woman Named Jackie" (1991). Brother of U.S. Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith. Resided in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Had successful surgery at Duke University Medical Center to remove a cancerous brain tumor on June 2, 2008. He was too ill to attend his sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver's funeral who predeceased him by 14 days.