Aristotle Onassis reportedly coerced Jackie Kennedy into having s-x in various public locations, as stipulated by a 170-clause marriage contract that detailed the number of times she had to endure it.
This shocking revelation by Maureen Callahan was met with universal outrage. Jackie Kennedy, the dignified widow of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in November 1963, announced her engagement to the Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis in October 1968. She was 39, a symbol of elegance, while Onassis, aged 62, was perceived by many in high society as crass and vulgar.
Onassis was infamous for his affair with opera singer Maria Callas and his bi---uality, which included a string of young men he reportedly paid and sometimes abused after s--ual encounters. The Kennedy-Onassis engagement made headlines, including the front page of the New York Times, sparking anger, shock, and dismay. Germany's Bild, the second most-read paper in Europe, echoed the sentiment, stating that "all the world is indignant." A Fleet Street tabloid even derogatorily referred to Jackie as "Jackie Weds Blank Check." The Vatican also condemned her. Once revered as America's heroine, Jackie was now disparaged as having sold herself on the global marketplace.
However, the truth was more complex. After JFK's assassination, Jackie formed an unlikely bond with JFK's brother, Bobby Kennedy. On November 25, 1963, Jackie lit the Eternal Flame at JFK's grave, and later that night, she found solace in Bobby, who stayed behind to console her. This night marked the beginning of a scandalous affair between Jackie and Bobby, which became well-known among the press and their social circles, although it remained publicly undisclosed. Jackie credited Bobby with keeping her from committing suicide, as she struggled with nightmares and depression, often replaying the traumatic events in Dallas. Bobby, equally distraught, began spending more time with Jackie and her children than with his own, sharing in the grief and seeking solace in each other.
Both Bobby and Jackie were practicing Catholics who found little comfort in religious platitudes about JFK’s death. Jackie, in particular, found such sentiments unbearable, leading to strained relationships with those who expressed them, including her friend Susan Alsop and Bobby’s wife, Ethel. Bobby, too, was deeply affected, contemplating leaving public life until Jackie persuaded him otherwise, ultimately pushing him towards a presidential campaign in 1968.
Yet, Bobby could not offer Jackie marriage. Aristotle Onassis, whom Jackie turned to by spring 1968, could. Jackie sought to escape the relentless scrutiny of the Kennedy legacy, and despite Bobby's warnings about the potential political fallout, she moved forward with her plans. Onassis, understanding her need for a scandal to break free from her saintly image, welcomed her into his life. Tragically, Bobby was assassinated in June 1968, further cementing Jackie's resolve to leave the U.S., fearing for her children's safety.
Jackie and Onassis were married on October 20, 1968, on his private Greek island of Skorpios. The marriage contract was intricate, with Jackie negotiating 170 clauses to ensure her financial security and personal comfort, including stipulations on the frequency of s--ual relations and separate bedrooms. Despite the opulent lifestyle and Onassis's extravagant gifts, Jackie remained haunted by the trauma of JFK’s assassination, suffering from neck pain and deep psychological scars. Her marriage to Onassis, who openly flaunted his infidelity and often treated her with disdain, became another source of humiliation and pain.
Onassis's behavior grew increasingly contemptuous over time, leading Jackie to seek refuge in New York City, where she began seeing psychiatrist Dr. Mary Andros, who diagnosed her with PTSD. The trauma from her marriages, the constant infidelities, and the pressure of maintaining a public facade took a significant toll on her mental health. Despite these challenges, Jackie managed to help Onassis through his grief when his son Alexander died in a plane crash in 1973. However, the relationship continued to deteriorate, with Onassis blaming Jackie for his son's death, even resorting to physical violence.
By March 1975, Jackie was ready to leave Onassis, but fate intervened when Onassis died, making Jackie one of the richest women in the world. With newfound financial independence and freedom from her turbulent marriage, Jackie faced the challenge of redefining herself beyond the roles of wife and widow. Despite her wealth, Jackie’s greatest task lay ahead: carving out a new identity and purpose in a world that had always scrutinized her every move.
