Their union embodied wealth, beauty, and power, with dreams of the presidency lingering in both their minds as they exchanged vows on September 12, 1953. Lasting a decade, the marriage of Jackie and John F. Kennedy left an indelible mark on the history of the 20th century.
Amidst palpable nerves, Jackie prepared for the momentous day in a silk, ivory dress designed by Ann Lowe. The groom, accustomed to giving orders, adjusted his jacket and meticulously ironed his gray striped pants, a stark contrast to the imminent weight of political responsibilities.
The grand celebration hosted over 800 guests, representing the pinnacle of American power – politicians, businessmen, actors, and financiers. What was meant to be a joyous occasion felt more like an expansive business event, with the couple's friends seemingly relegated to a corner of the guest list.
At 24, Jackie, or Jacqueine Bouvier, was blissfully unaware that she would become the first lady of the United States. Having completed her university studies and shown promise as a French literature graduate with a photographic column in a Washington newspaper, she met JFK during campaign fundraisers. Their courtship, spanning two years, culminated in a September 12 wedding 65 years ago.
JFK, a war hero and young senator from a powerful Boston family, was destined for greatness. Their engagement a year prior was marked by a stunning emerald and diamond ring from Van Cleef & Arpel.
Both hailing from influential families, the Kennedys and Jackie's kin, notably her Wall Street broker father and Standard Oil heir stepfather, combined their spheres of influence.
Designed by Ann Lowe, the first major African-American fashion designer, Jackie's wedding dress became a societal sensation, extensively featured in news and fashion magazines. Despite a last-minute mishap that flooded Lowe's studio, the garments were meticulously reconstructed.
The wedding took place in Newport, Rhode Island, with Jackie entering arm in arm with her stepfather. The ceremony, officiated by the archbishop of Boston, saw 800 guests and an additional 400 at the reception. The event was hailed as the wedding of the year, with 4,000 onlookers outside.
Their honeymoon in Acapulco marked the beginning of a tumultuous journey. A stillbirth, followed by the births of Caroline and John Jr., preceded the tragic loss of a newborn in 1963, during Jackie's tenure as first lady.
Rumors of JFK's affairs haunted the couple, with his incessant conquests creating tension. Jackie, though aware, bore the infidelity in silence, a testament to her enduring love. The ultimate proof: she crawled onto the convertible's trunk in her impeccable pink Chanel suit, attempting to gather her husband's scattered brain mass after his assassination in Dallas.
