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However, her perspective on life greatly shifted following her husband’s shocking assassination in 1968.

And young RFK Jr. only added to his mother’s woes with his rebellious streak.

RFK Jr. sitting in a navy suit

“My involvement with drugs after my father’s death certainly inflamed it.”

Despite everything,RFK Jr. tried to fix their complicated family dynamics.

However, time and his sobriety healed their relationship.

RFK Jr. smiling with Mary Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy

And eventually, Ethel started wholeheartedly supporting her son’s efforts for environmental conservation.