How JFK And Jackie Kennedy's Marriage Changed After Son Patrick's Death

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis had five pregnancies during her marriage to John F. Kennedy. The first, in 1955, ended in a miscarriage. In 1956 Jackie was pregnant again and gave birth to a stillborn daughter. The baby arrived a month early while JFK was vacationing in the Mediterranean. The then-senator got the news three days after the birth and was inclined to stay put. As recounted in "J.F.K.'s Last Hundred Days" (via Vanity Fair), JFK was reportedly only motivated to go home to Jackie after George Smathers, his friend and fellow senator, advised, "You'd better haul your ass back to your wife if you want to run for president," per 

In contrast, when Patrick Kennedy was born in 1963, JFK had the experience of parenting Carolyn Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, Jr. This time the president was more empathetic. He ensured Jackie wouldn't have access to TV in her room so she wouldn't hear about her baby's death from the media. While staying overnight at Boston Children's Hospital to be closer to Patrick, the president also reached out to a fellow parent by writing a note: "Keep up your courage. John F. Kennedy," per "J.F.K.'s Last Hundred Days." In addition, after Patrick's death, JFK provided his presidential signature for a $265 million grant ($2.1 billion today) focused on newborn research. Due to these efforts, babies today who are born 5.5 weeks premature (like Patrick was) have a 95% chance of surviving.