Unseen Letters from JFK’s Sister Rosemary, Who Underwent a Lobotomy, Reveal Depth of Her 'Loss

People ^ | 09/13/2018 | LIZ MCNEIL

[Kid Shelleen]

This Thursday marks what would have been the 100th birthday of Rosemary Kennedy, the eldest daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy and his wife, Rose.

For many years, the story of JFK’s sister, who had an undiagnosed mental disability and was lobotomized at age 23, was shrouded in mystery.

A vivacious young woman with a sweet disposition, Rosemary’s life was dramatically altered when her father decided to have her undergo a pre-frontal lobotomy in November 1941, a procedure that left her with the mental capacities of a toddler and requiring round-the-clock care

[Chickensoup]

Yes I know that she was sexually promiscuous. Also sexual promiscuity is one possible symptom of mental illness.

[LouisianaJoanof Arc]

So, what’s the real story behind Ole Joe having a lobotomy done on his daughter?

Out of respect for HER I’ll keep my opinions to myself.

[NFHale]

Never having had much interest in the Kennedy clan myself, this is all news to me.

Poor kid. Criminal actions on the part of the old man, IMO.

[Notthereyet]

I believe Mother Rose was as vile as Papa Kennedy which is why they would normally have gotten along. Rosemary, on the other hand, was a different type of Kennedy. She saw what was accepted as ‘normal’ in the family and did it, not knowing any different. As a young beautiful woman in body, she would have enjoyed sex and as a child wasn’t able to be taught it was not socially acceptable to be so open about it. Sigh. I think she would have been the best perhaps, out of the family. Mother Rose may have sensed that and it is what caused the outrage and pain when Papa Kennedy had the medical process performed on Rosemary. Rose Kennedy may have been vile in almost all aspects except in her love of Rosemary Kennedy. As a human Rosemary was not perfect; as a Kennedy, she really may have been the best in her inner core of human caring as many of ‘slow/innocents’ often are.