Ethel Kennedy, Widow of RFK, Owned Several Dogs — Including 16 Irish Setters Named Rusty

Mar. 15, 2025

Ethel Kennedy attends the ‘Ethel’ premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.Photo: Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images

InRobert F. Kennedy Jr.‘sheartfelt tributeto his mother,Ethel Kennedy, who died on Oct. 10 at the age of 96, he revealed that she had many dogs with the same name.

“She wrung joy from every moment, but for 56 years she has spoken with yearning of the day she would reunite with her beloved husband [Robert F. Kennedy],” the independent politician wrote. “She is with him now, with my brothers David and Michael, with her parents, her six siblings, all of whom predeceased her, and her ‘adopted’ Kennedy siblings Jack, Kick, Joe, Teddy, Eunice, Jean, Rosemary, and Patricia.”

Max Kennedy and David Kennedy with Ethel’s dog Blarney, who was not one of the Irish setters she owned.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Irish setters are “famously good family dogs,” which was appropriate for the massive Kennedy family. Ethel and RFK had11 children, 34 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

The Irish dog breed also aligned with the family’s history. Ethel’s mother, Ann Brannack, was Irish — and so was the Kennedy family she married into.

CSU Archives/Everett Collection

The Rusty pups aren’t the only Irish setters who have made cameos in the political world. Former presidentsRichard Nixonand Harry Truman, along with former Republican presidential nomineeMitt Romney, all had Irish setters.

“My mom loves Che Guevara.Her dog is named Che."

source: people.com