Latest news with #CarolynBessette
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and JFK Jr.'s Secret Wedding Shown in New Rare Photos
"Scorsese couldn't have done this better."The Gist New rare photos give insight into the secret intimate wedding of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1996. Carole Radziwill, who took the photos, told CNN about how the couple pulled off the intimate affair. 'There's an elegance to the casualness that I think is hard to replicate—certainly now and even then,' she Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. married in an intimate ceremony on September 21, 1996. Like everything else the couple did, their wedding has since become the stuff of legend, with fashion fans and culture enthusiasts poring over every detail: Bessette's daring Narciso Rodriguez slipdress rewrote the rules of the wedding dress! The tiny guest list! The infamously obscure location! All of it had the couple's elusive yet oh so chic signature feel. Although pop culture historians have obsessed over the intimate wedding for decades, new photos from the day reveal new insight into the famously exclusive ceremony and celebration. Today, ahead of the new three-part documentary American Prince: JFK Jr., CNN has published a collection of snaps from the day taken by journalist and Real Housewives cast member, Carole Radziwill. The photos offer a glimpse at a truly beautiful event that seemed to be just as effortless as it was chic. 'It's almost like they eloped with 30 of their closest friends. It was very much like that,' Radziwell said. 'You didn't get the sense that anything was overly planned. They just let things happen the way they happened. And there was something so beautiful about that.' In one photo, Bessette, with her hair in a messy bun, tries on a matching t-shirt with her new husband. In another, she and JFK Jr. look at a gift smiling. Another photo shows the intimate dinner under a white tent with only a few tables. There's a photo of a candlelit dinner on a terrace. Finally, there's a photo of Bessette and JFK Jr. dancing, his jacket tossed casually around her shoulders. As Radziwell recalled, the couple were careful to keep details about the wedding private—and it worked. 'It became apparent pretty quickly that nobody in the world knew we were there or why we were there,' she said. 'That in itself was magical, because we were just like, 'Oh, my God, they pulled it off.' Mostly Carolyn pulled it off, because she was determined to be married privately.' Although the entire event had an unpracticed, unfussy air, Radziwell explained that it still felt utterly magical. One moment that stands out in her memory is when Bessette appeared to walk down the aisle. 'It was already dark by that point, so they were lighting the inside of the church with candles. It was very impromptu,' she said. 'I just remember the doors opening in the back of the chapel and her walking in. She just looked so beautiful. And the light was insane. It was like a movie.' She added, 'I mean, literally, I was like, 'Scorsese couldn't have done this better.'" Just like Bessette's famous street style, which managed to be both consistently tasteful and wholly unpretentious, her wedding had a similar feel. 'There's an elegance to the casualness that I think is hard to replicate—certainly now and even then,' Radziwill said. 'It's just who they were as human beings.' Replicating the chic "casualness" of Bessette is something that Ryan Murphy has, according to many fans, struggled with in his upcoming series of American Love Story, which has already come under fire for its first promotional images. Jack Schlossberg, JFK Jr.'s nephew, went so far as to call the series "grotesque." "Lately, my news feed has been filled with pictures of my uncle, John F. Kennedy Jr., a great man," Schlossberg said in a video posted to his Instagram account. "For those wondering whether his family was ever consulted, or has anything to do with, the new shows being made about him, the answer is no. And there's really not much we can do." He went on, "The right to privacy, which includes the ability to control your own name, image and likeness, doesn't survive death in the state of New York. For that matter, he's considered a public figure, so there's not much we can do." Read the original article on InStyle Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Best Photos of JFK Jr. Carolyn Bessette
On July 16, 1999, John F. Kennedy Jr. boarded a small aircraft with wife Carolyn Bessette and her sister Lauren Bessette, intending to fly from New Jersey to Martha's Vineyard and then on to Cape Cod for his cousin Rory's wedding; instead, he crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Massachusetts, leaving no survivors. Their loss became another in a series of what some call the 'Kennedy curse:' the tendency of members of this family to die prematurely, like President John F. Kennedy, assassinated at age 46, or his brother Robert F. Kennedy, assassinated at age 42. The loss of the young, beautiful couple of JFK Jr. and wife Carolyn only intensified comparisons to his illustrious parents JFK and Jackie O., and their legacy has since taken on the same harrowing blend of glamour and tragedy. Before meeting JFK Jr., Carolyn Bessette went to Boston University and then worked at Calvin Klein, first as a salesperson and then as a publicist. She began dating her future husband in 1994, moved into his Tribeca apartment in 1995, and quit her job in 1996, marrying Kennedy in a small, secret ceremony in September of that year. Their brief marriage was largely characterized by Carolyn's often-difficult time adjusting to the media frenzy that now surrounded her day-to-day life, an experience longtime friend Carole Radziwill compared to Meghan Markle joining the royal family in early 2021. The iconic couple remains a pop culture fascination, becoming the source of an August 2025 CNN documentary, American Prince: JFK Jr., and an upcoming Ryan Murphy drama series, American Love Story. Read on for our favorite photos of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, a couple taken from us too soon. A version of this article was originally published in July 2021. More from SheKnows A Look Back at Presidential Families Through the Decades Best of SheKnows Celebrities Who Died Tragically Young: Kelley Mack, Lucy Markovic, & More Katy Perry Complete Dating History & Exes: Orlando Bloom, Justin Trudeau & More A Look Back at Martha Stewart's Incredible Life, From Her Early Modeling Career to Her Media Empire at 84 Cartier Reception John F Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette were both full of joy during the Cartier reception. George Magazine Awards We love finding photos of John F Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy smiling together. Municipal Art Society Gala John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy looked like such an It-couple while attending the Municipal Art Society gala! Whitney Museum These two remained the social butterflies at the Whitney Museum. Dinner Out John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette looked as stylish as ever while out and about on Nov 05, 1997. Municipal Art Society gala at Grand Central Terminal Carolyn Bessette Kennedy couldn't contain her joy when her husband, John F. Kennedy Jr. whispered to her at the Municipal Art Society gala at Grand Central Terminal. Hilton Hotel John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were packing on the PDA at a Hilton Hotel party. White House Correspondents Dinner This heartwarming photo of John F. Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette is such an intimate glimpse into their romance John F. Kennedy Library Foundation Dinner John F. Kennedy, Jr. and his wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy had some subtle PDA while at the annual John F. Kennedy Library Foundation dinner in 1999. Minskoff Theatre This 1998 photo shows Carolyn and John out for a night at the theater. 2nd Annual 'George' Magazine Party JFK Jr. founded George magazine, a monthly politics-lifestyle outlet, in 1995. The Municipal Art Society's Revitalization of Grand Central Carolyn Bessette at this Grand Central exhibit was probably the closest there's ever been to a real-life Serena Van Der Woodsen. Whitney Museum of American Art Outfits like this helped cement Carolyn's status as the queen of minimalist style. Breuer's Whitney: An Anniversary Exhibition For the first public appearance since their wedding, the couple attended the 30th anniversary celebration of the Whitney Museum's Breuer Building. At the Whitney Museum Gala John Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy were even captured holding hands during their appearance at the Whitney Museum. Guggenheim Museum That tiny purse! Carolyn truly was decades ahead of her time. Meatpacking District, NYC JFK Jr. and Carolyn are pictured here in a rare non-event moment, walking down the streets of New York near their Tribeca apartment. Robin Hood Foundation 10th Anniversary Benefit In another sleek and simple look, the couple attended a Robin Hood Foundation benefit. Manhattan The couple is seen here walking their beloved dog Friday. Whitney & Warhol Gala The Whitney's Whitney & Warhol Gala saw another stunning ensemble from Carolyn. 'Newman's Own' George Awards Carolyn and John are seen smiling here at the U.S. Customs House for an awards show. The Municipal Art Society Ceremony The NYC couple were a mainstay at Municipal Art Society events. The Riverkeeper Benefit Dinner Carolyn's buttoned-up looks and minimal jewelry always showed off her impeccable taste. Solve the daily Crossword
Hindustan Times
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Inside JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette's secret wedding ceremony; rare photos surface
John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were everywhere in the '90s - glossy magazine covers, paparazzi shots on New York streets - yet, in 1996, they managed to pull off a wedding almost no one knew was happening. The couple tied the knot on Georgia's secluded Cumberland Island, in a tiny wooden chapel with just a handful of family and close friends. John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette managed to pull off a wedding almost no one knew was happening in 1996,(Vogue) A set of rare photos shared by CNN gives a glimpse into the couple's nuptials. The photo was released ahead of the channel's three-part original series American Prince: JFK Jr., which airs on August 9. One image shows the couple later that night, barefoot on the sand near a beach bonfire. It was stripped-down, almost spur-of-the-moment, but in hindsight, it set a new standard for understated elegance, thanks in part to Bessette's now-iconic Narciso Rodriguez slip dress. Also read: It's official: My Best Friend's Wedding is getting a sequel! Is Julia Roberts on board? Photos surface from JFK Jr.'s wedding The never-before-seen images come from Carole Radziwill, a journalist-turned–Real Housewives alum, whose late husband, Anthony, was JFK Jr.'s cousin and best man. She shot the wedding weekend on a simple Instamatic camera, later putting the prints into a scrapbook for the couple. The photos were released ahead of the release of American Prince: JFK Jr. 'It's almost like they eloped with 30 of their closest friends,' Radziwill told CNN. 'You didn't get the sense that anything was overly planned. They just let things happen the way they happened. And there was something so beautiful about that,' she added. Some guests did not even know they were attending a wedding until the last moment. 'It became apparent pretty quickly that nobody in the world knew we were there or why we were there. Mostly Carolyn pulled it off, because she was determined to be married privately,' she said. Also read: What do the JFK files reveal about Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby? In one photo, Anthony Radziwill grins as JFK Jr. throws an arm around him while getting dressed. Another shows Ted Kennedy speaking with the pastor before the ceremony. Later, the couple leans over a three-tiered floral cake, and on the dance floor, Bessette wears her husband's jacket as he holds her close. Radziwill still remembers the bride's arrival. 'It was already dark… they were lighting the inside of the church with candles. I just remember the doors opening… She just looked so beautiful. And the light was insane. It was like a movie. Scorsese couldn't have done this better," she told CNN. FAQs Where did JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette get married? They got married on Cumberland Island, Georgia. When was their wedding? It was held in September 1996. Who designed Carolyn's dress? Narciso Rodriguez had reportedly designed the dress.
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carole Radziwill Debunks Major Kennedy Family Myth About JFK Jr. in New Documentary
Carole Radziwill shut down one of the biggest myths about her close friend John F. Kennedy Jr. in the new CNN docuseries American Prince. The Real Housewives of New York City alum — who was married to John's first cousin Anthony Radziwill — tackled numerous tabloid allegations about John and his late wife, Carolyn Bessette, in the three-episode series, including denying that anyone in the family ever called the Kennedy heir by the nickname 'John John.' 'This whole John John thing, I don't know where it came from,' Carole, 61, insisted. 'I think it was a press thing. Something happened where people thought that maybe his family called him John John.' The John John nickname was popularized in the press shortly after his birth in 1960 and carried over into media coverage of his romantic exploits as an adult. However, Carole suspected that the nickname must have been an invention of the press since John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy never called their son John John. How JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Worked on Marriage, Planned for Kids Before Tragic Death 'Some people just started saying [John John] to imply that they were close to him,' the What Remains author pointed out. 'I promise you, his sister didn't call him John John. His mother, no one in his extended family, even, like, the extended cousins, ever called him John John.' American Prince included poignant insights from Carole and others close to John Jr. and Carolyn that demystify the final years of their lives. In one lighthearted moment, Carole reflected on what made John Jr. so different from the other members of the Kennedy clan. 'He wanted to maybe break some rules, and then he did,' Carole remembered. 'It sounds silly, but he moved downtown to Tribeca when his family lived on the Upper East Side. It was, like, in these little ways, and you're creating your independence. You're creating this other life.' John Jr. truly got to forge his own path following his mother Jackie's 1994 death from non-Hodgkin lymphoma in May 1994. However, the magazine editor faced even more adversity at the time because his cousin Anthony had a recurrence of testicular cancer that would ultimately take his life. 'John [Jr.] and Jackie, they were really close,' Carole said. 'He was heartbroken, and it was a very hard time for him, but there was almost, I would say, an emancipation [after Jackie's death]. I think, for the first time, he felt free to do what he wanted to do in a way that he wouldn't have when his mom was alive. A lot of good came out of that.' John Jr. and his wife Carolyn's lives ended in tragedy in July 1999 when the couple — along with Carolyn's sister Lauren Bessette — died in a small private plane crash off the coast of Martha's Vineyard. For Carole, the trauma of losing her two best friends was compounded when her husband Anthony died less than one month later in August 1999. Why JFK Jr. Didn't Call William and Harry After Princess Diana's Death Despite Wife Carolyn's Plea Reflecting on her reaction to losing John Jr. and Carolyn, she admitted: 'It was so cruel for Anthony to have to watch [his cousin's death]. John [Jr.] and Anthony, they were real brothers. All I could think of was like, 'I'm going to be the only one left.'' American Prince premieres on CNN Saturday, August 9, at 9 p.m. ET, with new episodes continuing each Saturday through August 23. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
See Naomi Watts' striking transformation into Jackie Kennedy in new 'American Love Story' photos
Watts will play the mother of series star Paul Kelly's John F. Kennedy Jr., and mother-in-law to Sarah Pidgeon's Carolyn Bessette. From Babe Paley to Jackie Kennedy, Naomi Watts is in her mid-century icon era. New images of the fêted British star from the set of Ryan Murphy's upcoming American Love Story show her transformed into famed First Lady. Watts traded her signature cool blond waves for a structured, chestnut-colored bob wrapped up in a chic, silken headscarf in the photos taken in in New York City's Central Park on Aug. 4. Watts was joined by costar Paul Kelly, who will portray John F. Kennedy Jr., one half of the couple that give the series its title. Sarah Pidgeon, who recently appeared in the I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot, is set to star opposite Kelly as Carolyn Bessette, a fashion publicist and the junior Kennedy's wife. The Mulholland Drive star was also flanked by Grace Gummer - the daughter of Meryl Streep - who will portray Jackie's daughter and John-John's sister Love Story will chronicle Kennedy and Bessette's highly-publicized relationship and four-year marriage, which was tragically cut short when the couple died in a 1999 plane crash. In a now-deleted social media post finally announcing the series, which had been the subject of buzz for months, Murphy revealed that the series had begun shooting in mid June, adding, "[I] can't wait until you see the romantic and tragic love story between America's prince, JFK Jr., and fashion icon Carolyn Bessette... Over a thousand actors auditioned for each of these roles, and we absolutely found the perfect choices." Watts recently appeared in not one but two of Murphy's TV projects, and is also slated for a fourth after American Love Story. The actress appeared in all seven episodes and executive produced the Murphy miniseries The Watcher in 2022, and is looking forward to All's Fair, a legal drama costarring Kim Kardashian, Niecy Nash, and Glenn Close, among others. Last year, she led the cast of Feud: Capote vs. The Swans as the immortal socialite Babe Paley. Watts summoned all the smothered rage she could muster and filtered it through the icy prism of petty bourgeois in-fighting for her performance as the famed magazine editor - a performance which ultimately earned her the first Emmy nomination of her career. Reflecting on playing Paley to Entertainment Weekly in 2024, Watts shared, "Everything she thought about was planned: how she plans a dinner party and who was there. Who's sitting next to each other? Where does the fork go? What are the fabrics of the napkins? Do the candles smell right? All of these things that created such a huge amount of planning, but nothing was left for herself so often. This was how she was raised. She came from a family where the women were there to serve their husbands and nothing else." Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
