Kyle Kennedy, Bobby and Ethel Kennedy's granddaughter, dies at 42 — six years after devastating injury left her paralyzed

Kyle Francis Kennedy, the granddaughter of Robert F. "Bobby" Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, passed away in September at the age of 42.

The educator's obituary reveals that she died "peacefully" at her home in Westwood, Massachusetts, where she spent most of her life.

Kyle Kennedy's parents and family history

Kyle was the middle child of Michael LeMoyne Kennedy and his wife Victoria Denise Gifford. Victoria is the daughter of Frank Gifford and the stepdaughter of TV personality Kathie Lee Gifford.

Michael was the sixth of Bobby and Ethel Kennedy's 11 children, which also includes controversial politician and current United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Michael himself tragically passed away on New Year's Eve in 1997 after skiing into a tree in Aspen, Colorado.

Kyle Kennedy's life and career

Kyle's obituary states she was "blessed with a formidable intellect, dry wit, and beauty," and spent most of her life dedicated to education as well as "reform for disadvantaged children and for people living with disabilities."

After graduating from Milton Academy, she majored in history at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. (where she was born) and spent a semester abroad in Florence, Italy. She then earned a Master of Science in early education from Pace University, followed by a Master of Education in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

Kyla joined the Teach for America organization and taught within the New York City public school system for two years. She then became "a passionate advocate for more equitable elementary education and charter schooling, later working with technology companies focused on reforming and improving school curricula, and as a coach for educators working with young students."

Kyle Kennedy's accident and spinal injury

In 2020, the educator was in an accident that resulted in a severe spinal cord injury, leading to long-term paralysis and disability. The result of her accident was a focus on becoming an advocate for disability reform, especially for children.

Per her obituary, at one point, Kyle also testified "at the Massachusetts state house in a hearing on discrimination in disabled health care."

Kyle Kennedy's personal life

Kyle welcomed three children with her former husband Liam. She welcomed twins Conor, now 12, and Josephine. However, Josephine tragically passed away a few days after her birth as an infant.

She then went on to welcome a second son named Declan, now 10. Kyle is also survived by her ex-husband, her two siblings, Michael and Rory, plus their respective families, as well as her mother Victoria.