The nuptials marked a significant turning point in the life of the former First Lady of the United States. Their union brought together two very prominent figures from very different backgrounds and stirred both fascination and controversy.
Jackie Kennedy had previously been married to John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, who tragically was assassinated in 1963. During and after her first marriage, she had become a symbol of grace and elegance, both in the White House and on the world’s stage.
The marriage was, in part, a personal decision influenced by Jackie’s desire for privacy and security. After the tumultuous years in the public eye as a candidate’s spouse, First Lady, and then widow of a President, she sought a more private and tranquil existence. Onassis offered her a refuge from the intense media attention and helped her provide a stable environment for her children.
The relationship between Jackie and Aristotle Onassis was almost certainly motivated as well by finances. Onassis was one of the wealthiest men in the world at the time. Marrying him meant a life of opulence, comfort, and access to a world of luxury and privilege. Jackie’s marriage to Onassis ensured that she and her family would be financially secure for the foreseeable future.
The marriage of Jackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis garnered a lot of public attention and, in some quarters, various degrees of disapproval.
“The reaction here is anger, shock and dismay,” declared the New York Times.
“The gods are weeping,” read a quote in The Washington Post.
A German newspaper announced: “America has lost a saint.”
Critics viewed it as a union driven by convenience and financial gain rather than love. Personally, though, I think it’s essential to remember that personal decisions are often influenced by multiple factors, including the desire for stability and security. This can especially be the case in the wake of a traumatic event like the death of a spouse, particularly when it happens so much in the public eye.
It’s worth noting that their marriage was relatively short-lived, as Aristotle Onassis passed away in 1975.
Despite any initial controversy, Jackie’s marriage to Onassis provided her with a life away from the constant spotlight and allowed her to focus on raising her children and pursuing her interests in art and culture. It may have even brought her true happiness, although with the inscrutable former First Lady, such things were always difficult to know.
By Steven Roberts
