Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Robert F.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an American lawyer, environmental activist, author, and political figure. A member of the Kennedy family, he became widely known for environmental advocacy and later for anti-vaccine activism and his 2024 U.S. presidential campaign. Since 2025, he has served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Early life and family
Kennedy was born in Washington, D.C., in 1954, into the prominent Kennedy political family. He is the third of eleven children of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Kennedy.
Career in environmental advocacy
He became known as an environmental lawyer and helped found Waterkeeper Alliance, a major clean-water advocacy organization. He also worked on environmental and public-health issues through nonprofit and legal work.
Political activity
Kennedy entered national politics with a 2024 presidential campaign that began as a Democratic bid and later continued as an independent run. He withdrew in August 2024, endorsed Donald Trump, and was later confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services in 2025.
Controversies
Kennedy is widely described as a leading vaccine skeptic and anti-vaccine activist. His public comments on vaccines have drawn strong criticism from medical and public-health organizations.
Personal life
Kennedy is married to actress Cheryl Hines. He has children from previous marriages and is often identified in public reporting by the initials RFK Jr.
Key facts
- He is a member of the Kennedy political family and the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.
- He built his early reputation as an environmental lawyer and water-protection advocate.
- He is associated with vaccine skepticism and anti-vaccine activism.
- He launched a 2024 U.S. presidential campaign, later ran as an independent, and suspended the bid in August 2024.
- He endorsed Donald Trump after leaving the race and was later appointed U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy is relevant to Canadian readers because he is a prominent U.S. political figure and public-health commentator whose views on vaccines and health policy have received attention in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Robert F. Kennedy Jr.?
What is Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s stance on vaccines?
Is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. running for president?
How old is Robert F. Kennedy Jr.?
Who is Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s wife?
What happened to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s voice?
References
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-F-Kennedy-JrSupports: Birth date, family background, environmental law career, vaccine skepticism, 2024 presidential campaign, and HHS role.
- U.S. Congress — https://www.congress.gov/118/meeting/house/116258/witnesses/HHRG-118-FD00-Bio-KennedyR-20230720.pdfSupports: Family background, Waterkeeper Alliance, and marriage to Cheryl Hines.
- Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/history-culture/robert-f-kennedy-jrSupports: Occupation, environmental and anti-vaccine activism, marriage to Cheryl Hines, and presidential campaign timeline.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/robert-kennedy.htmlSupports: Current office as HHS Secretary and overview of career and political shift to independent presidential candidacy.
- Miller Center, University of Virginia — https://www.millercenter.org/robert-f-kennedy-jr-2025Supports: Anti-vaccine activism, 2024 campaign, withdrawal, Trump endorsement, and confirmation as HHS Secretary.
- IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0447884/bio/Supports: Spasmodic dysphonia and its effect on his voice.