Research by Steven L. Brawley

Jackie loved and lost several men. She was a smashing looking bride and widow twice over.

Wedding One: Kennedy

• Date: September 12, 1953
• Church: St. Mary’s, Newport, RI
• Officiant: Archbishop Cushing
• Blessing by: Pope Pius XII
• Music by: Tenor soloist Luigi Vena from Boston sang Gounod’s Ave Maria.
• Church guests: 800
• Reception guests, 1,200
• Reception location: Hammersmith Farm
• Invitation: black ink on a cream colored paper
• Menu: Fruit cup in pineapple, creamed chicken, ice cream in flower molds
• Cake: five tier by Plourde's Bakery
• Orchestra: Meyer Davis
• Bride’s dress design: Ann Lowe
• Bride’s dress detail: ivory tissue silk, with a portrait neckline, fitted bodice, and a bouffant skirt embellished with bands of more than fifty yards of flounces
• Bride’s veil: rosepoint lace, worn first by her grandmother Lee, was draped from a tiara of lace and orange blossoms
• Bride’s accessories: a choker of pearls; a diamond bracelet that was a gift from the groom; her mother's lace handkerchief; a diamond crescent brooch on the bodice of her gown, a gift of Joseph P. Kennedy; and a blue garter
• Bride’s bouquet: pink and white spray orchids and gardenias
• Photographers: Toni Frissell, Arthur Burges, and Lisa Larsen (LiFE)
• Best man: Robert Kennedy
• Matron of honor: Lee Radziwill
• Maid of honor: Nina G. Auchincloss 
• Bridesmaids: 10
• Ushers: 9
• Engagement ring: square-cut 2.88 carat diamond and a 2.84 carat emerald with tapered baguettes from Van Cleef & Arpels
• Wedding ring: 24 carat gold band
• First dance song: "I Married an Angel"
• Wedding night: Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York City
• Honeymoon: Mexico and California
• Length of marriage: 10 years

Wedding Two: Onassis

• Date: October 20, 1968
• Church: Chapel on Skorpios Island
• Reception: Christina yacht
• Engagement ring: 40-carat Marquise Lesotho III diamond ring
• Dress: lace-covered beige color by Italian couturier Valentino
• Length of marriage: 8 years

Notes: Jackie was also engaged briefly in 1952 to John Husted, and had a long-term relationship with Maurice Templesman after the death of Onassis.

Image copyright Jake Gariepy (Dapper and Dreamy) - Jackie's 1953 wedding dress designed by Anne Lowe.

Research by Steven L. Brawley

Jackie was a talented equestrian, and her love of horses and the hunt life provided an escape from politics and the paparazzi. From the moment her mother Janet put her on a horse as a toddler, to her last days riding in Virginia and New Jersey, horses made her happy.

Jackie's Horses

• Buddy, pony
• Rusty, pony
• Jerry, miniature horse
• Dance Step, pinto
• Danseuse/Danny, chestnut mare
• Bit O'Irish
• Sardar (gift from Pakistan)
• Rufus
• Be Frank
• Midnight

Research by Steven L. Brawley

Jackie was a lifelong pet lover. She found friendship and solace through animals to help her deal with her parents divorce, and during other times of sadness. Jackie passed her love of animals on to her children, who enjoyed the companionship of a vast array of pets while in the White House. Her homes featured antique prints of all types of animals and wildlife.

Jackie's Pets (Horses listed separately)

• Hootchie, Scottish Terrier
• King Phar, Harlequin Great Dane
• Tops, dog
• Tammy, dog
• A Bouvier des Flandres (name unknown)
• Bonnett, Spaniel
• Regent, White Bull Terrier
• Tippy
• Gaully, Poodle
• Charlie, Welsh Terrier
• Clipper, German Shepard
• Shannon, Irish Cocker Spaniel
• Wolf, mutt
• Whiskey (Shannon's son)
• Black Lab (name unknown, pet of Onassis)

Kennedy Children White House Pets:

• Pushinka, mutt that was a gift from Soviet premier Nikita Khruschev
• Butterfly, White Tips, Blackie, Streaker (Pushinka and Charlie’s puppies)
• Tom Kitten, cat
• Robin, canary
• Bluebell and Marybelle, parakeets
• Macaroni, Leprechaun, and Tex, ponies
• Debbie and Billie, hamsters
• Zsa Zsa, rabbit

Just Like Jackie...

by Steven L. Brawley, Editor-in-Chief

To say Jackie was complex, would be quite the understatement. She balanced many roles - wife, mother, hostess, journalist, editor, photographer, emissary, fashionista, preservationist, interior designer, artist, equestrian, and so many others.

PPB explores the many fascinating facets of Jackie's life. Just when we think we've learned as much as we can about her, a new discovery comes along.

Also, don't be surprised if we sneak other pop culture and historical folks into our story lines from time to time.

Image copyright Jake Gariepy (Dapper and Dreamy) - Jackie's 1961 Oleg Cassini designed Inaugural Eve Gala gown.