One of America’s most iconic couples, John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s complicated relationship captivated the nation until their tragic and untimely deaths in 1999.
When they met, Kennedy was a famous bachelor and former first son, and Bessette was a budding fashion icon. While their spark was instant, it was also volatile. Kennedy and Bessette’s whirlwind romance and high-profile marriage was marked by intense public scrutiny, which ultimately put a strain on their relationship.
Their courtship, marriage, and tragic end are explored in the new FX series, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, which is partly based on Elizabeth Beller’s 2024 biography Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
Here’s what you should know about John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s tumultuous love story.
How Did John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Meet?
John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette first met in 1992 at Calvin Klein’s New York City location, where Bessette was working as a sales associate for VIP clientele. The 26-year-old was tasked with helping Kennedy, a 31-year-old lawyer and the son of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, pick out a suit.
At the time, he was dating actor Daryl Hannah, but the two hit it off, and the fitting ended with Bessette giving Kennedy her phone number. They casually dated on and off for a while before finally getting serious in 1994.
Did Carolyn Bessette Reject JFK Jr.’s Proposal?
Almost immediately after going public with their relationship, Bessette became the target of tabloid gossip, and paparazzi soon began following the couple everywhere they went. Kennedy proposed to Bessette the following year, popping the question while on a fishing boat off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard in July 1995.
Bessette reportedly didn’t accept his proposal right away, waiting three weeks before she ultimately said “yes.”
What Was JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s Famous Fight About?
In February 1996, the pair got into a now famous fight in Washington Square Park, in which Kennedy, who had since founded George magazine, tried to remove Bessette’s engagement ring. The heated argument allegedly started because Bessette was concerned Kennedy was being taken advantage of by an acquaintance, who had asked him to be the best man at their wedding. Bessette thought the brazen request was simply a ploy to get a photo op in the New York Times.
Before long, videos and photos of their very public disagreement were all over the news and the heightened scrutiny soon led Bessette to quit her job as a publicist the following month.
How Was JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s Wedding Kept Secret?
Later that year, Kennedy and Bessette exchanged vows in a secret ceremony on Georgia’s Cumberland Island in September 1996. Determined to keep the wedding a secret, the couple only invited around 40 of their closest friends and family, most of whom were not made aware of the ceremony’s exact location until the last minute.
The wedding had a brief hiccup, however, when Bessette arrived to the ceremony late after needing a last-minute alteration on her custom wedding dress. By the time she arrived, the sun was setting and the 100-year-old chapel, which had no lights, had to be completely illuminated with candles, while their officiant used a flashlight to read his script.
Were JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Separated?
While Bessette and Kennedy tried to maintain a sense of normalcy, the media attention only intensified after their wedding. The newlyweds were often confronted by paparazzi outside their Tribeca apartment, which Bessette especially struggled with. Despite initially wanting children, she no longer felt comfortable bringing kids into the world when they were always in the public eye.
This soon became a major point of contention in their marriage, and by 1999, Kennedy and Bessette were living in separate residences. Bessette’s sister, Lauren, tried to fix their relationship by encouraging the couple to attend Rory Kennedy’s wedding together and even offered to go with them to help ease the tension. Unfortunately, however, the couple never got a chance to reconcile and the fateful trip ended with the deaths of all three.
How Did JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Die?
On July 16, 1999, Kennedy, Bessette, and Lauren were flying to the wedding in Hyannisport, Massachusetts when the single-engine plane, piloted by Kennedy, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. Multiple search parties were sent out to locate the aircraft, initially finding only luggage and debris. Their bodies were disproved nearly a week later, on July 21.
In the wake of the accident, all three were mourned in a burial at sea, followed by a private funeral for the Kennedy and Bessette in Manhattan. Later that year, the Bessette family filed a wrongful death suit against Kennedy’s estate and a monetary settlement was eventually reached in 2001.
How to Watch Love Story
Executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette examines the iconic couple’s intense romance. In the anthology series, actor Paul Kelly portrays the first son, while Sarah Pigdeon plays Bessette. Love Story premieres on FX and Hulu with three episodes on February 12, followed by a weekly release.
Catherine Caruso joined the Biography.com staff in August 2024, having previously worked as a freelance journalist for several years. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she studied English literature. When she’s not working on a new story, you can find her reading, hitting the gym, or watching too much TV.
