Rose Kennedy Schlossberg: The Facts About JFK's Eldest Grandchild

The Kennedy family has kept us captivated for decades, from John F. Kennedy's political career to Jackie Kennedy's beloved style and grace, and of course, the tragedy surrounding the Kennedy family that seems to follow them everywhere. With politics seemingly in their genes, many family members have had their time in the spotlight. Now, another member of the famous dynasty is turning heads wherever she goes: Rose Kennedy Schlossberg.

Rose is the eldest granddaughter of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, born in 1988, 25 years after JFK's infamous assassination. Although she never had the chance to meet her late grandfather, she's taken great care to keep his memory alive, appearing in one video marking his 100th birthday and another promoting how the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' ability to foster art and culture as "a really fitting tribute to [her] grandfather."

Rose Kennedy Schlossberg grew up on the Upper East Side of New York as the eldest of her two siblings, Tatiana and Jack Schlossberg, and is now an actress, producer, and writer living in California. Despite her notoriety, Rose lives a fairly private life out of the eye of the press, only resurfacing now and again to support her family or to discuss how her late grandfather still serves as an inspiration for her. So, what are all of the facts to know about JFK's eldest grandchild?

Rose Kennedy Schlossberg is the daughter of former U.S. ambassador Caroline Kennedy and designer and artist Edwin Schlossberg. Coming from such a prominent political family, it's no surprise that Caroline Bouvier Kennedy followed suit. She was only 5 years old when her father was assassinated, and her mother, Jackie, aimed to protect her from the public eye as she grew up. 

After receiving her Bachelor's degree from Harvard, she attended Columbia Law School and took up a job at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. There, she met Edwin Schlossberg, and the couple wed in 1986, having three children. Later, she endorsed Obama's 2008 presidency, and in 2012, his administration appointed her as U.S. ambassador to Japan. Recently, President Biden named Caroline as U.S. Ambassador to Australia. Yet another remarkable Kennedy affected by tragedy throughout her life, Caroline remains a resilient presence in Rose's life today.

Rose's father, Edwin Schlossberg, is a designer and artist who got his start studying at Columbia University in the '60s. He became well-known in 1977 when he was commissioned to help design the interactive Brooklyn Children's Museum, using his renowned synergistic and unique multimedia creations. While most of Rose's family has been heavily involved in politics, her interests perhaps leaned closer to her father's career path, as she's broken away from the political game in search of Hollywood success.

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in 1890 to a prominent Irish-American Boston politician, getting her first taste of political life early on. She had nine children with her husband, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., with John F. Kennedy being her second-born. In 1938, her husband would go on to be appointed Ambassador to Great Britain, and they relocated to London, where they immersed themselves in a new culture and rubbed shoulders with the royals.

Later in life, she supported her children throughout their political campaigning efforts, hosting parties and speaking at rallies for John, Ted, and Bobby's campaigns. Throughout her life, she suffered immense tragedy as many family members met untimely deaths, but she soldiered on until the age of 104 in 1995.

This is the inspirational woman Rose Kennedy Schlossberg was named after. Jackie was reportedly the one who suggested the name, despite her dislike for her mother-in-law (and Rose Senior's equal dislike for Jackie). Jackie supposedly told press secretary Pierre Salinger, "The old bat's about 100 years old, so let's give her some respect" (via the New York Post). Rose Kennedy Schlossberg now carries the befitting name of a woman who lived an incredible life (as well as the probable weight of responsibility to do the name justice, too).

From the time she was small, Rose Kennedy Schlossberg had a unique relationship with her grandmother, Jackie Kennedy. The former first lady is believed to have taken a special interest in her granddaughter. Apparently, Jackie wanted to ensure Rose's future as a grand dame of the American upper crust. As reported by the Daily Mail, Kennedy expert, Christopher Andersen, once noted that Jackie tried to achieve this by spending copious amounts of time with Rose. "Jackie, who lived just a few blocks away from the Schlossbergs on the Upper East Side, saw Rose basically every day and doted on her," Andersen revealed.

Andersen also reportedly claimed that Jackie had wanted to help Rose understand the rules of elite etiquette. "Jackie knew it was important to sow the seeds of good behavior early on, and she tried to do that in the final years of her life. It was a mission for her," the journalist noted per the same piece in the Daily Mail. That being said, it's hard to say just how much Jackie was able to influence her granddaughter. Rose was just 5 years old when Jackie died in 1994, and would have probably lacked the maturity to understand what exactly her "Grand Jackie" had been trying to pass down.

Growing up, Rose Kennedy Schlossberg was very close with her uncle, John F. Kennedy Jr., who was the son of former president John F. Kennedy and the brother of Caroline Kennedy. He was reportedly like a father to her, so when he died in a plane crash in 1999, along with his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and his sister-in-law, Lauren Bessette, when Rose was just 11 years old, she was devastated. The young Kennedy also loathed the media frenzy that surrounded her family during this difficult time — she was famously photographed sticking her tongue out at paparazzi after leaving the church where her uncle's funeral was held.

JFK Jr. had insisted on piloting the plane, and experts believe the "hazy" conditions had disoriented him when it went down. He and Carolyn had planned to drop her sister off, then make their way to Rory Kennedy's wedding in Cape Cod, but they unfortunately never made it.

According to the New York Post, a Kennedy family member said, "Rose withdrew after John's death ... She went into a six-month depression during which she barely spoke to anyone. She stopped eating — she must have lost 30 pounds." Rose's studies reportedly took a temporary hit, but she managed to get back on track. Aside from the pressures of growing up within a well-known family, Rose faced several familial tragedies — like any Kennedy can attest to — which many have blamed on the "Kennedy curse." The same family member said, "If there was a saving grace, it was that both Jackie and John Jr. left her considerable trust funds. At the age of 14, Rose was worth millions."

Easily the first thing that caught everyone's attention is how much Rose resembles her maternal grandmother, Jackie Kennedy Onassis. When Rose Kennedy Schlossberg stepped into the limelight after launching a web series with her friends, the public had to do a double take; everything from her eyes to her cheekbones, the way she carries herself, and the cute brunette bob she sports, she could be Jackie reincarnated.

Rose was actually very close with her grandmother until Jackie's death from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1994 when Rose was 5 years old. Jackie went by "Grand Jackie" to her grandchildren as a loving family nickname for "grandma." She often took her granddaughters to the museum and the playground, and chaperoned on school trips, which was all made easy because she lived only down the road from the rest of the family. By all accounts, Jackie was a phenomenal influence on Rose and would speak to her like an adult, according to a neighbor (via the New York Post).

The similarities they share seem to stem further than just aesthetics. Given Jackie's influence, not just on the world but on those closest to her, it's no wonder people are so excited to see what Rose does next.

Rose Kennedy Schlossberg is the older sister of Tatiana Celia Kennedy Schlossberg and John "Jack" Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg. The three siblings have engaged in activism for years, seemingly inspired by their late grandfather's missions and using their platforms to raise serious issues.

Before Tatiana Schlossberg's tragic death in 2025, she lived in New York and worked as a successful environmental journalist for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic. She frequently credited JFK as inspiring her to fight for climate change awareness and learning to connect with the grandfather she never knew through her work. In 2019, she released her award-winning book, "Inconspicuous Consumption: The Environmental Impact You Don't Know You Have," which discussed the modern-day toll technology has taken on the world.

Jack Schlossberg — a copy-and-paste of his uncle JFK Jr. — is a Yale and Harvard Law School graduate who resides in New York as a lawyer. He spent time writing political commentary and, in 2020, endorsed President Biden in a video alongside his mother, Caroline Kennedy. In the video, Jack noted, "Times have changed, but the themes of my grandfather's speech — courage, unity, and patriotism — are as important today as they were in 1960. And once again, we need a leader who believes America's best days are yet to come" (via Us Weekly). Following this video, people were quick to comment about Jack's resemblance to his uncle, John F. Kennedy, Jr. — as it seems several of the Kennedy grandchildren were blessed with their elders' good looks.

Like many of her family members, Rose Kennedy Schlossberg is an Ivy League graduate. She was set up for success early in life, having been enrolled as a child at a fancy, all-girls private school in New York called Brearley School. Rose then received her Bachelor's degree in English in 2010 at Harvard University, following in her mother's and grandfather's footsteps at their alma mater. While there, she developed an interest in fashion (much like her stylish grandmother) and film, which would eventually lead her toward her career in Hollywood.

Before she'd move toward her acting career, though, she got another degree. In 2011, she enrolled at New York University in the Interactive Telecommunications Program, receiving her Master's degree in Professional Studies in 2013.

It's no surprise Rose enrolled at Harvard, as she'd hardly struggle with admissions, given the Kennedys' long-standing relationship with the school. Beginning with JFK's grandfather, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., who graduated from Harvard in 1912, the legacy continued, and the connections made along the way no doubt aided in their political aspirations in life. Rose's brother, Jack, was the most recent Kennedy graduate of Harvard, having received both his Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees in 2022.

In 2016, Rose Kennedy Schlossberg and her friend, Mara Nelson-Greenberg, released a comedy web series titled "End Times Girls Club." The web series was a satirical take on your typical YouTube tutorial videos but with an apocalyptic twist. Characters Bee (played by Rose) and Lara (played by Nelson-Greenberg) take you through the world of post-doomsday makeup, recipes, and survival tips, so you, as the viewer, will be prepared for "the end times."

Rose Kennedy Schlossberg — who was surprisingly omitting the "Kennedy" from her name at the time — says she came up with "End Times Girls Club" while studying at NYU. She told Mashable, "It came up as a response to seeing the way that New York responded to Hurricane Sandy, and how people were grossly underprepared — specifically, girls in damsel in distress mode." She explained that she wanted to create a quirky show where girls were "survivalists, without compromising their cute factor."

Throughout Rose Kennedy Schlossberg's Hollywood career, she has been credited as an actress, producer, production associate, and writer on a handful of lesser-known works. Aside from a couple of parts, she's often been behind the scenes, including her work on Netflix's 2017 show, "TIME: The Kalief Browder Story." Rose was credited for her involvement in all six episodes.

The series focuses on the true story of Kalief Browder, a Black teenager who was imprisoned at New York City's Rikers Island between 2010 and 2013, without trial, over a supposed stolen backpack. Browder spent an inhumane period of time in solitary confinement, and the Netflix series, with Jay-Z as executive producer, dissects how a broken justice system and social class divide can cause so much despair.

Although most viewers probably wouldn't have noticed Rose in the credits, her involvement speaks volumes. During her grandfather's presidency, the civil rights movement was in full swing. JFK was initially criticized for lacking the urgency needed to push civil rights forward, but just months before his assassination, he announced in a speech addressing the nation that he would send the legislation to Congress. Perhaps Rose took part in this Netflix series because it was a tragic story that needed to be told, maybe she wanted to discuss the inequalities millions still face today, or perhaps she was inspired to argue for justice where her grandfather no longer can.

In 2008, long before she was endorsing Joe Biden's presidential campaign, Caroline Kennedy wrote an article endorsing Barack Obama for president, titled "A President Like My Father," published in The New York Times. Caroline then served on the search committee for vice president. She brought her kids along with her to the political events, who, along with much of the public, were encouraging her to run for Senate. 

At the time, Rose Kennedy Schlossberg said, "It's an exciting prospect and [I] look forward to whatever role my mom chooses to play in this new era of American politics" (via The Harvard Crimson). Caroline eventually pulled herself out of the race after some poor luck. While Rose certainly hasn't been as involved in politics as many members of her family, she has consistently stood by her mother throughout her political endeavors.

Rose also showed her support for Obama. Although she was only 20 at the time, she was so inspired by him (and likely the work her mother was doing) that she donated $350 to his presidential campaign. The relationship between the Kennedys and the Obamas has remained strong, and back in 2014, President Obama announced he would appoint Rose to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Although she stepped away from politics following her endorsement of Barack Obama, Rose Kennedy Schlossberg showed her support for another Democratic politician: Alan Khazei. Khazei ran for United States Senate in 2010, hoping to fill the Massachusetts seat of Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy, who had passed away. A major focal point of Khazei's campaign was to emphasize the public to incite change rather than letting special interest groups have their say, which is why he only accepted donations from public citizens.

Senator Kennedy was JFK Jr.'s uncle and Rose's grand uncle, so by backing Khazei, she clearly believed in his ability to replace Senator Kennedy. In her early 20s, she supported Khazei by volunteering for his campaign after he made a speech about the Afghanistan war, although he, unfortunately, lost the race. It would seem that this was the last time Rose was directly involved in politics, but there are plenty of other Kennedys to fill that spot for her.

In the summer of 2022, Rose Kennedy Schlossberg married her long-term girlfriend, Rory McAuliffe, in a beautiful outdoor ceremony, with each woman wearing very modern white dresses and black platform shoes. Family members and celebrities (including David Letterman, Jason Segel, and Jimmy Buffet) attended their wedding, and it was a grand affair. Approximately 300 people reportedly watched Rose and McAuliffe say "I do." The event was held at their lavish home in Ojai, California, which they had purchased for an impressive $1.2 million, according to the Daily Mail.

Interestingly, despite clear public interest in Rose and McAuliffe's relationship, the couple decided to keep their wedding out of the spotlight. This choice potentially signaled Rose's desire to take on less of a public role than her siblings. Rose's late sister, Tatiana Kennedy Schlossberg, shared the photos of her 2017 wedding to George Moran with big publications like Town & Country and People. Tatiana also formally announced her changed marital status in The New York Times. Rose and McAuliffe, in contrast, kept things a little bit more low-key by keeping their wedding photos private. This choice potentially reveals their lack of interest in pursuing a future in the limelight.

Rose Kennedy Schlossberg and her wife, Rory McAuliffe, may not be tempted by the trappings of fame, but that doesn't mean the couple isn't interested in other kinds of success. In their hometown of Ojai, California, McAuliffe is celebrated as one of the area's top restauranteurs. Rory's Place — the farm-to-table restaurant that she co-owns with her sister, Meave McAuliffe — has been recognized by the prestigious Michelin Guide for its simple yet scrumptious fare. A 2025 piece in Vogue raved about the restaurant's fresh ingredients and positive atmosphere. Clearly, McAuliffe is a committed business owner with a keen eye for the industry.

As McAuliffe's wife, Rose is understood to be supportive of her endeavors — and the young Kennedy appears in many of the photographs on the Rory's Place Instagram account. However, the eatery has largely remained separated from the Kennedy name. In a 2022 edition of Ojai Quarterly, McAuliffe only briefly mentioned Rose, noting that she had married her "partner" without naming her. That being said, McAuliffe has dropped hints about the importance of teamwork and community in her professional life. Speaking about the restaurant to Ojai Quarterly, McAuliffe described her restaurant as "home." She later added, "We put everything we had into here. Its our passion project."

The Kennedy family is known for its sheer size. JFK's mom, Rose Kennedy, had nine children — creating a large dynasty that has influenced everything from journalism to philanthropy to American politics. Because Rose Kennedy Schlossberg hails from this large family line, some fans may wonder whether or not she and her wife, Rory McAuliffe, are planning to have children of their own. As of the publication of this article, however, that seems unlikely.

Chatting with Ojai Quarterly in 2022 about her plans for the future, McAuliffe dropped a hint about her family-planning future. When asked about potentially adding a baby to her life, McAuliffe responded with laughter. "I have a kid," she explained. "It's Rory's Place." This response only goes to show that McAuliffe and Rose have been so focused on their professional lives that starting a family is off the table.

That being said, Rose and McAuliffe seem to have found other ways to experience community. In the same interview with Ojai Quarterly, McAuliffe's sister, Meave McAuliffe, explained just how many connections they have all made via Rory's Place. "We built [our restaurant] so it feels like you're eating at someone's house. We're here every day. Our staff is like family. Connections are being made all the time," she shared.

In 2022, Rose Kennedy Schlossberg wrote, directed, and acted in a short film titled "Small Gay Tragedy #1." The piece focuses on the observations of a woman in Northern California who grows extremely interested in a lesbian couple that recently moved to her neighborhood. Over the course of the film, what begins as a casual interest escalates into something else entirely, putting into question the very fabric of reality. The film was showcased at the Mill Valley Film Festival and earned glowing reviews from the San Francisco Bay Times. This was not the only project of note that Rose took on since the pandemic. In 2020, she starred in a humorous short, "Why We Vote," which was shared on the Rory's Place Instagram. 

The piece, which comedically linked voting to one's overall popularity, encouraged people to vote in the 2020 elections. However, interestingly, Rose did not endorse any particular candidate in the video — perhaps reflecting her desire to support the democratic process over any particular political party.

On December 30, 2025, Rose Kennedy Schlossberg's sister, Tatiana Schlossberg, died of leukemia. This tragic passing was viewed as a massive loss both to the Kennedy family and the world as a whole. Tatiana had been known as a powerful journalist with a wide reach. In fact, one of Tatiana Schlossberg's final public outings had been with Prince William. But as much importance as Tatiana had carried on the international stage, to Rose, she was a beloved sister and friend.

To remember Tatiana's life, Rose attended a memorial service held in New York City. Tatiana Schlossberg's funeral was full of devastating moments. However, Rose and her family showed the world how to stay strong in the face of tragedy. Speaking to People about the event, historian, Steven M. Gillon, commented on the Kennedy family's ability to persevere. "There's something in the Kennedy genes, they know how to deal with pain and with grief," Gillon opined. While it's hard to say whether or not there's any truth in Gillon's analysis, one thing is clear — the Kennedy family has faced its share of tragedies since coming to public attention decades ago.