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57 pages 1 hour read

Maureen Callahan

Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2024

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Key Figures

Maureen Callahan

Journalist, author, and cultural critic Maureen Callahan is known for her incisive explorations of American celebrity, power, and influence. She has built a reputation for investigative depth and an ability to critically assess the intersections of fame and social dynamics, frequently tackling complex topics with a balance of skepticism and empathy. In her previous work, Callahan examined the allure and darker aspects of celebrity culture, as well as the high-stakes world of politics and media, making her well suited to investigate the intricate and often controversial legacy of the Kennedy family. Her ability to expose American myths and the personal and public costs of iconography gives her a unique lens to view the Kennedys, whose fame and influence are nearly unparalleled in US history.

Callahan’s background in investigative journalism and experience with high-profile American figures afford her the distance necessary to approach her subject matter objectively. Additionally, her critical eye for the complicity of media in mythmaking is particularly relevant when dissecting the Kennedy legacy since her work challenges the narrative that has often lionized the family at the expense of those they may have harmed.

In Ask Not, Callahan combines her critical perspective with thorough research and a commitment to amplifying the stories of women whose voices have historically been marginalized or erased in Kennedy lore. Through her dedication to researching the experiences of women like Joan Kennedy, Mary Jo Kopechne, and Marilyn Monroe, she illuminates the cost of the Kennedy men’s unchecked power from a fresh angle. Callahan’s approach conveys a deeper understanding of the gendered dynamics within the Kennedy family and broader society, making her work particularly relevant in the context of modern conversations about power, gender, and media complicity.

John F. Kennedy, Sr.

One of America’s most iconic figures, John F. Kennedy embodied the charisma, political ambition, and personal flaws that have captivated and divided public opinion for decades. As the 35th US president, John projected the image of a forward-thinking leader who inspired a generation through his calls for public service, as he epitomized in the famous phrase, “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” However, behind this idealistic facade lay a complex personal life marked by numerous alleged affairs, unchecked privilege, and a reliance on the Kennedy family’s wealth and social influence to protect his image. Reevaluation of his relationships with women like Diana de Vegh, Mimi Beardsley, and Marilyn Monroe has highlighted the power imbalances and exploitative dynamics that often characterized his interactions, especially with young or vulnerable women.

John’s legacy within the Kennedy family is equally complicated. Raised in an environment of intense expectations set by his father, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., he was groomed from a young age to achieve political greatness, an upbringing that instilled both confidence and entitlement. While the political media meticulously maintained his public image as a family man, Ask Not delves into how John’s actions often contradicted this portrayal. His alleged affairs and callous treatment of women reflected a pattern that other Kennedy men echoed, contributing to a legacy of power imbalance and silencing. Despite his achievements, John’s life and presidency remain a mix of triumph and ethical ambiguity, marked by his propensity to exploit the privileges that his family’s name and status afforded.

Jacqueline “Jackie” Kennedy Onassis

The wife of John F. Kennedy, Sr., Jackie Kennedy was an elegant and influential first lady who became a global fashion icon and a symbol of American grace under pressure. Her poised demeanor and dedication to historic preservation, including the restoration of the White House, endeared her to the public and helped create the enduring “Camelot” myth that surrounds the Kennedy presidency. However, Jackie’s life behind the scenes was far more complex and tumultuous, marked by her husband’s infidelities and the immense pressure to maintain the perfect public image that was crucial to the Kennedy legacy. Her ability to navigate these challenges while also protecting her family’s reputation speaks to her resilience and political acumen. Her commitment to crafting the Kennedy narrative became particularly evident after John’s assassination, when she orchestrated a grand and dignified funeral, solidifying his place as a tragic American hero and herself as the nation’s widow.

Her story, as Callahan explores it in Ask Not, reveals Jackie’s transformation from a woman defined by her marriage to John to an independent figure who eventually sought to reclaim her identity. After enduring years of infidelity and political maneuvering within the Kennedy family, Jackie made the controversial decision to marry Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. This move, while publicly criticized as mercenary, allowed her to break free from the constraints of her role as a Kennedy and pursue a life of her choosing. Later in life, Jackie found fulfillment in a career as a book editor and became a symbol of second-wave feminism, using her platform to encourage other women to seek personal and professional independence. Her journey from being a glamorous but controlled figurehead to being an empowered and self-determined woman highlights her complexity and strength, as well as her ability to redefine her own legacy beyond that of merely a political wife and first lady.

Marilyn Monroe

One of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, Marilyn Monroe was a celebrated actress and sex symbol whose beauty, vulnerability, and talent captivated audiences worldwide. Marilyn became synonymous with Hollywood glamor and the allure of fame. However, her personal life was far from the fantasy projected on screen. Behind her radiant public image was a woman haunted by insecurities, difficult relationships, and a deep desire for love and respect, which often seemed just out of reach. Her connections to powerful men, including John and Bobby Kennedy, became an open secret, adding to her mystique but also exposing her to their influence and eventual abandonment, a pattern that Callahan portrays as exacerbating her feelings of isolation.

Ask Not presents Marilyn’s tragic entanglement with the Kennedys as a profound example of the dangers of media manipulation and the exploitation of women by powerful men. Both John and Bobby allegedly used her, drawing her into their circle without any intention of committing to her and leaving her feeling discarded once their interest waned. The last years of her life were marked by increasing dependency on substances and by rumors of surveillance, as well as phone calls and missing records suggesting that she knew more than was safe about the Kennedys’ secrets. Her sudden death in 1962, officially ruled a suicide, left unanswered questions that fueled speculation of foul play, and her tragic end became a lasting symbol of Hollywood’s darker side. Marilyn’s story reflects the devastating consequences of silencing and abandoning women after exploiting their allure, ultimately portraying her as a casualty of a society that valued her beauty more than her humanity.

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