Carolyn Bessette, JFK Jr. Biography Inspired 'Love Story': Buy Onlline

Variety

by atingley4

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The definitive biography of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr.'s mythologized relationship has re-entered the spotlight due to FX’s new series *Love Story*, produced by Ryan Murphy. Premiering last week, the show draws inspiration from Elizabeth Beller’s 2024 book *Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy*. This biography traces Carolyn’s journey from her upbringing in New York and Connecticut to her successful career at Calvin Klein, where she rose from a retail associate to an executive in VIP sales and publicity. The book offers intimate insights into her life before the Kennedy limelight, including personal anecdotes that humanize her as a warm, witty, and compassionate individual. Beller’s work highlights how Carolyn’s relationship with JFK Jr., often portrayed by the media as a fairy-tale romance, was deeply influenced by relentless paparazzi and tabloid attention. The press frequently mischaracterized her as aloof or superficial, even blaming her for personal tragedies linked to the Kennedy family. To counter this narrative, *Once Upon a

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Originally published on Variety on 2/20/2026