JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette died in a plane crash 27 years ago. It fueled rumors of a 'Kennedy curse.'
Business Insider
February 20, 2026
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The deaths of John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and her sister Lauren Bessette in a 1999 plane crash near Martha's Vineyard marked another tragic chapter in the Kennedy family's history, fueling enduring rumors of a "Kennedy curse." The crash, which occurred under hazy evening conditions as JFK Jr., an inexperienced pilot, attempted to land, led to the loss of three lives and reignited speculation about the family's alleged supernatural misfortune. This incident added to a legacy of grief that included the assassinations of JFK Sr. and Robert "Bobby" Kennedy, as well as Michael Kennedy's skiing accident two years prior.
John F. Kennedy Jr., born into one of America's most prominent political families, became a media sensation in the 1990s. After his father's assassination at age three, he largely avoided public scrutiny until later in life when he gained attention for his relationships and eventual marriage to Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, a high-profile publicist. Their union was surrounded by media fascination, even inspiring JFK Jr.'s decision to pursue a pilot's license for the freedom it offered from paparazzi.
The crash investigation revealed that JFK Jr.'s limited flying experience and reliance on visual navigation contributed to the disaster. The National Transportation Safety Board found that he likely experienced spatial disorientation in the dark
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/20/2026