The FX limited series Love Story examines the whirlwind, and ultimately doomed, romance of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. The pair was tragically killed in a plane crash on the way to a family wedding.
Additionally, the project puts the spotlight on Carolyn’s older sister, Lauren Bessette, who was also killed in the July 1999 plane crash. Sydney Lemmon portrays Lauren in the drama, which debuts Thursday, February 12, on FX and will also stream on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
The elder Bessette, 34 at the time of her death, tried to lead a relatively private life. However, we know she had a significant part in the events leading up to the ill-fated flight and, by all accounts, was also a successful businesswoman with a bright future.
Here’s everything you need to know about Lauren Bessette ahead of the series.
Who Was Lauren Bessette?
Lauren was born on November 5, 1964, to architectural engineer William Bessette and his wife Ann, a teacher and administrator, according to her Associated Press obituary from 1999.
Lauren had a twin sister, Lisa Ann, and was 14 months older than Carolyn. When the sisters were young, their parents divorced. Ann later remarried to Dr. Richard Freeman, an orthopedic surgeon. Lauren was raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, by her mother and stepfather. She graduated from Greenwich High School in 1982 and was a member of an all-girls service club known as the Signettes.
She earned an undergraduate degree in economics from Hobart and William Smith College and later a master’s in business administration from the University of Pennsylvania. Lauren worked in several financial positions on Wall Street before eventually settling at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. She worked in the investment banking division and was promoted from vice president to a principal about eight months prior to her death, according to the obituary.
“I’m not surprised that she was doing well,” Patrick McGuire, her former college faculty adviser, said. “She was exceptional. She was a very good student and a very pleasant person to be around.”
How Was Lauren Involved in JFK Jr. And Carolyn’s Relationship Before the Accident?
Lauren largely avoided the spotlight—especially in comparison to her sister Carolyn, who was known as a style icon and for her marriage to Kennedy. However, their union had begun to fray amid constant bombardment from the press and his increasing devotion to his political magazine, George.
Biography.com previously reported that Lauren, concerned her sister and brother-in-law were living apart, organized a lunch for the three of them at the Stanhope Hotel in New York City on July 14, 1999. It was during this outing she allegedly suggested she fly with the couple a few days later as they prepared to attend the wedding of John’s cousin, Rory Kennedy, in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.
Why Was Lauren Flying With JFK Jr. and Carolyn?
At the time, Lauren was reportedly dating a Kennedy cousin, Bobby Shriver, and hoped to spend time with him and friends in Martha’s Vineyard. The plan was for JFK Jr. to drop her off before continuing to Hyannis Port with Carolyn.
However, this plan potentially violated an unwritten pact between Kennedy and the sisters’ mother, Ann. In a July 2024 episode of the Next Question with Katie Couric podcast, Kennedy’s former assistant and chief of staff, RoseMarie Terenzio, claimed Ann later told her that Kennedy agreed he would not take more than one of her daughters on a flight at any given time.
In any case, Lauren departed for the airport with Kennedy so the pair could meet up with Carolyn. Rumors persisted the latter showed up late for the flight over a pedicure, but author Elizabeth Beller disputes this in her 2024 biography, Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. According to an eyewitness report, Beller wrote, Carolyn left the spa by 5 p.m., then purchased a dress at Saks before meeting her sister and husband.
How Did Lauren Bessett Die?
Their plane was cleared for takeoff around 8:38 p.m. on July 16, 1999, and reported missing after failing to arrive on time in Martha’s Vineyard. Ann was understandably distraught as she awaited the fate of Carolyn and Lauren.
“I don’t remember how she was alerted, but she was just panic-stricken and I was trying anything I could to give her hope and to keep her, to keep her calm because I didn’t want her to panic either,” Terenzio explained. “I just said, ‘I’m trying to find out as much as I can. Please don’t panic, don’t think the worst. I’ll keep calling you.’ I think I was calling her every 15 minutes with any update I could give her. She was panicked, as any mother would be.”
Searchers discovered fragments of the plane on July 19, and found the bodies of JFK Jr., Carolyn, and Lauren two days later. Autopsy results found all three died upon impact in the crash.
Hundreds of mourners gathered outside Christ Church Greenwich to pay tribute to the two sisters, leaving bouquets of flowers and handwritten notes, according to The Ledger. A candlelight service was held solely in Lauren’s name, ensuring the “other Bessette” had her rightful memorial.
Lauren’s remains were cremated and scattered at sea on July 25 in a ceremony held aboard the USS Briscoe about two miles from the spot of the plane crash, according to the Cape Cod Times.
Watch Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Starting February 12 on FX
Sydney Lemmon, the granddaughter of actor Jack Lemmon, portrays Lauren in Love Story. The 35-year-old is known for roles in the TV series Helstrom and Fear the Walking Dead, as well as the movies Velvet Buzzsaw (2019), Firestarter (2022), and Tár (2022). While Lemmon hasn’t spoken publicly about her part, she does appear as Lauren in the official trailer.
The first three episodes of the limited series premiere Thursday, February 12, at 9 p.m. ET on FX, with additional episodes debuting weekly on Thursdays through March 26. Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon play JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, respectively, with Naomi Watts portraying Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
Tyler Piccotti joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor and is now the News and Culture Editor. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor for a daily newspaper recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors. In his current role, he shares the true stories behind your favorite movies and TV shows and profiles rising musicians, actors, and athletes. When he's not working, you can find him at the nearest amusement park or movie theater and cheering on his favorite teams.
