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Mary Richardson Kennedy

Mary Richardson Kennedy (born Mary Kathleen Richardson; October 4, 1959 – May 16, 2012) was an American interior designer, architect, political fundraiser, and philanthropist.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mary Richardson Kennedy (born Mary Kathleen Richardson; October 4, 1959 – May 16, 2012) was an American interior designer, architect, political fundraiser, and philanthropist. She was known for her advocacy of green design and for co-founding the Food Allergy Initiative. She was also the estranged wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Early life

Mary Richardson Kennedy was born in 1959 and is described in available sources as an American from New Jersey or the New York area. Publicly available biographical details about her upbringing are limited in the provided sources.

Career

She worked as an interior designer and architect, with a professional focus on sustainable and green design. Sources also describe her as a political fundraiser and philanthropist.

Food allergy advocacy

Kennedy co-founded the Food Allergy Initiative in 1998. The organization grew into a significant source of private funding for food allergy research in the United States.

Personal life

She married Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in 1994 and the couple had four children. They separated in 2010.

Death

Kennedy died in Bedford, New York, on May 16, 2012. The death was ruled a suicide by hanging.

Key facts

  • Mary Richardson Kennedy was an interior designer and architect known for green design advocacy.
  • She co-founded the Food Allergy Initiative in 1998, a major funder of food allergy research.
  • She married Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in 1994 and they had four children.
  • The couple separated in 2010 and were in the process of divorcing at the time of her death.
  • She died by suicide at her home in Bedford, New York, in May 2012.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Mary Richardson Kennedy?
Mary Richardson Kennedy was an American interior designer, architect, fundraiser, and philanthropist known for green design advocacy and food allergy philanthropy.
What was Mary Richardson Kennedy known for professionally?
She was known for interior design and architecture, especially sustainable or green building work.
What did Mary Richardson Kennedy co-found?
She co-founded the Food Allergy Initiative in 1998.
Was Mary Richardson Kennedy married to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.?
Yes. They married in 1994 and later separated in 2010.
How many children did Mary Richardson Kennedy have?
She had four children with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
How did Mary Richardson Kennedy die?
She was found dead at her home in Bedford, New York, on May 16, 2012, and her death was ruled a suicide by hanging.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Richardson_Kennedy
    Supports: Birth and death dates, occupation, marriage, children, co-founding the Food Allergy Initiative, and death ruling.
  2. POLITICO — https://www.politico.com/story/2012/05/rfk-jrs-estranged-wife-found-dead-076417
    Supports: Marriage to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., separation, age at death, and death context.
  3. People — https://people.com/who-was-mary-richardson-kennedy-rfk-jr-second-wife-11944268
    Supports: Professional background, marriage, separation, children, green design advocacy, and food allergy philanthropy.
  4. CNN — https://www.cnn.com/2012/05/17/us/mary-kennedy-profile
    Supports: Her work as an architect, sustainable design advocacy, marriage, children, and cause of death.
  5. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q62537605
    Supports: Structured identity data including name, occupation, birth date, and death date.