John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy at the President's Inauguration in 1961. Photo from Life Magazine archives, Paul Shutzer, photographer.
Growing up, I was fascinated by Jacqueline Kennedy and the history of the Kennedy family. I think my love of photography was born out of watching and studying all the Life Magazine photographs of the Camelot era in black and white, analyzing the president and lovely first lady, then learning the history of and tragedy of November 1963. So addictive! Of course I later became obsessed with “Jackie O” because thought she would be the perfect “suegra,” since I was convinced I would marry John F. Kennedy Jr. when I grew up. (Soñar no cuesta nada. Who did not love that man, right?)
To this day I think our fascination with this woman does not end. We’ve had countless discussions, my family and friends, analyzing her style and everything that made her so distinct, so alluring, and so attractive. A great conversation to be had, if you like discussing these sorts of things.
Tonight all lovers of history and all things Kennedy will be glued to their TV sets as ABC air a 2 hour special with a rare interview. “Jackie Kennedy, In Her Own Words,” starts at 9pm PST, but check you local listings.
Mrs. Kennedy granted Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., a Kennedy historian, a lengthy conversation just a few months after her husband’s death. The interview was recorded 47 years ago and never before aired to the public. There is also a book published to commemorate this interview and it’s special place in history.
The New York Times writes:
At just 34, and in what her daughter, Caroline Kennedy, describes in a foreword to the book as “the extreme stages of grief,” Mrs. Kennedy displays a cool self-possession and a sharp, somewhat unforgiving eye. In her distinctive breathy cadences, an intimate tone and the impeccable diction of women of her era and class, she delivers tart commentary on former presidents, heads of state, her husband’s aides, powerful women, women reporters, even her mother-in-law.
Charles DeGaulle, the French president, is “that egomaniac.” The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is “a phony” whom electronic eavesdropping has found arranging encounters with women. Indira Gandhi, the future prime minister of India, is “a real prune — bitter, kind of pushy, horrible woman.”
Oh, I can’t wait to hear this!! The video below is the promo for the show and will take you to youtube.
If you want a little sound bite teaser, head over to NYT.com for the article and audio clips with photos.
The NY Times article includes audio clips and photographs.
And if you want to relive a little bit of Camelot, check out the great photo gallery archives from Life Magazine.
