Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress is one of the best in history. jacqueline lee bouvier wedding dress jacqueline kennedy burda

0 September 15, 2018, 20:45


September 12 marks the 65th wedding anniversary of John and Jacqueline Kennedy. Although this marriage was not exemplary and rather unhappy for both spouses (John was not distinguished by fidelity, and Jacqueline was deeply worried about her husband's infidelity), nevertheless, he firmly entered history. Today, in our regular column, we will talk about how the solemn wedding ceremony (and it must be said, it was luxurious) of the Kennedys was almost in jeopardy. And all due to the fact that Jacqueline's dress was ruined just a few days before the wedding.

The couple did not have much time to properly prepare for the wedding - on June 25, John and Jacqueline got engaged, and on September 12 they were supposed to go to the altar. Like any bride, Jacqueline, of course, first of all took care of her wedding dress. She decided to entrust his design not to a famous designer, but to a little-known New York fashion designer of African American origin, Ann Lowe. And although Lowe had already worked with the first persons of the state (at one time, the Roosevelts also sewed outfits for her), the author of the wedding dress of the future first lady of the United States was not advertised - after all, black people were then treated with great prejudice. They say that it was Jacqueline's mother who insisted that it was Lowe who sewed the wedding dress for her daughter (she herself married in a dress of her own authorship).


Wedding Dress Jacqueline Ann began to sew almost as soon as she received the order. It took 45 meters of silk taffeta to sew an outfit for the bride. Interestingly, Lowe chose ivory fabric (however, it is possible that this was the wish of the future Mrs. Kennedy), although at that time they married mostly in white dresses.

Work in the Lowe studio was in full swing around the clock - the time allotted for tailoring did not allow to relax for a minute, and each mistake could be very expensive. Eight weeks later, an off-the-shoulder outfit and fluffy skirt with frills was ready, day X was approaching. The bride was in joyful anticipation and made the final touches in preparation for the holiday.

But ten days before the wedding, something happened that could completely upset her. Or, at the very least, spoil the party. In the Lowe's atelier, where Jacqueline's wedding dress was waiting in the wings, the water supply burst. The bride's wedding dress was hopelessly ruined. By the way, not only she suffered, but also the outfits of the bridesmaids, which she also ordered from Lowe. What a shock the fashion designer experienced when she came to her studio, one can only guess. However, Jacqueline married in a dress that did not differ from the original. In just ten days, the designer, who worked all night long, managed to sew an identical original copy. Jacqueline, who was not told anything about what had happened, did not see any difference. Yes, the bridesmaids also appeared at the wedding in those same toilets - Lowe and her assistants also re-sewed them.

Needless to say, the designer suffered significant losses after this order. Not only did she initially take a rather modest amount for Jacqueline's wedding dress - only $ 500 (while her colleagues took three times more for similar outfits), she also sewed everything again with her own money.


It is interesting that the bride herself was dissatisfied with her wedding dress and compared it with a lampshade. Jacqueline did not want to arrange a magnificent ceremony at all and saw her dress more modest and concise, and her mother probably insisted on this style. Nevertheless, after her wedding, many brides asked to sew a dress "like Jacqueline Kennedy" for them. It is now considered one of the most beautiful wedding dresses in history and continues to serve as an inspiration for fashion designers.

The wedding of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier, which took place on September 12, 1953, was remembered by the American elite for many years. Joseph Kennedy, the groom's father, millionaire and former ambassador USA in the UK, invited 1200 guests and more than a hundred journalists to the wedding, turning the family celebration into an official event. He already believed that someday Jack - as John Fitzgerald Kennedy was called in the family - would become president. And he believed that future popularity should be taken care of in advance.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier

... Newspapers called John F. Kennedy "the most attractive bachelor", "the most beautiful congressman", and then "the most beautiful senator" - as he climbed the political ladder. With Jacqueline Bouvier, whom everyone called Jackie in the American manner, Kennedy met in the spring of 1951, at a party with his friends. However, “meet” is not quite the right word. They were introduced to each other, but Jack immediately forgot about this girl, too dark, thin, flat-chested, shy and mannered for him to like her. Still, he gave her that Kennedy smile and that amazing, searing, undressing look that never fails to impress women. And Jackie fell for a snow-white smile and a look of bright blue eyes. Fell in love without memory. She called him herself in Washington, and Jack, embarrassed that he did not remember her at all, invited Jackie to dinner. Then - to the cinema. Then - to her hotel room ... Jackie was no longer a virgin girl, she gave her innocence to her childhood friend Jack Marcound, with whom she had been in love two years ago. But she could not marry Marround: although he was of good origin, he was penniless, an aspiring writer. And Jackie Bouvier was very fond of luxury. And passionately dreamed of a life of luxury.

Jacqueline was born into a family that considered itself to be part of the American aristocracy: not the BAPs - that is, not the "white Anglo-Saxon Protestants" who traditionally made up the American elite - but Catholics, but still not from impoverished Ireland, like Kennedy, but the descendants of French aristocrats who fled to America from the French Revolution. At least that's what Jackie herself said. And certainly - the French were among the ancestors of her father, Jack Bouvier. He was considered handsome, had a generous nature, and Jackie adored him. Alas, her parents' marriage fell apart when she was still a baby. Jack Bouvier drank, cheated and squandered money, which in fact Bouvier did not have much of. In any case, not enough to lead the lifestyle that his wife dreamed of. Janet Bouvier left her husband, taking both daughters - Jackie and Lee. And soon she married the millionaire Hugh Auchincloss. He had his own children, and Janet bore him two more. So Jackie grew up in big family, grew up in luxury, realizing, however, that nothing in this house belonged to her and that her future depended on how well she married.

IN Everyday life John Fitzgerald Kennedy had more than enough luxury, but it is unlikely that Jackie acted on the basis of calculation. Her mother was enterprising and cunning enough to, being a divorced Catholic, still marry the high-born rich man Hugh Auchincloss. Janet Bouvier-Auchincloss would have easily found a rich suitor for the eldest daughter, and everything would have been arranged with much less damage to Jackie's pride. After all, Jack loved completely different women: intellectuals, brilliant, witty, strong-willed, having their own opinion on every issue discussed. He liked a verbal duel with a woman - almost more than bed battles. He was annoyed by Jackie's pseudo-intellectuality, the endless talk about fashion, hunting and antiques that she would dream of buying someday. According to many of his friends, he did not even like Jackie outwardly: the mistresses whom he chose for himself always turned out to be plump women with pretty doll faces and almost always blondes. In addition, he liked to court and achieve, he got more pleasure from the process of hunting than from winning. And Jackie Bouvier herself opened the hunting season for the most handsome US congressman: she herself called him, lay in wait and organized "random" meetings, even sent hot dinners to him in Congress. She led the hunt for Jack Kennedy according to all the rules: she tried to share his interests, went fishing and baseball games with him, helped to choose clothes in stores - before Jack was indifferent to fashion. Jackie even wrote essays for him younger brother Teddy. But still, Jack absolutely did not like Jackie, and he did not hide it. And no matter what she did - Jack eluded her again and again.

But Jackie was still lucky: her father liked her. Joseph considered that just such a girl - from the cream of American society, elegant, able to keep up small talk, but not being too bright personality - would be an ideal match for a talented young politician. He ordered his son to marry Jackie Bouvier. Jack resigned, or rather, agreed with his father's arguments. It was really necessary for him to marry for the further development of his political career ... An unmarried man of thirty-five years aroused many suspicions among the townsfolk.

“Jackie was attractive, but she, of course, was not a sensual beauty, like Jack's women like Inga Arvad, Angela Green and Flo Prichet,” one of his old friends in the Navy said in an interview after the death of John F. Kennedy. - But she was well educated and knew how to behave in society. Don't forget that she was a Catholic. Jack wouldn't have become president if he married a girl of a different religion."

“I once asked him if he had ever fallen hopelessly in love with someone,” recalled another friend of Kennedy, James Burns, “to which he shrugged his shoulders and replied:“ I’m not amorous.

“Jacqueline was nice, but quite shy girl, - much later the wife of one senator told, former friend Kennedy. - She fell head over heels in love with Jack, and he hardly noticed her and constantly taunted her, because then she had such a flat chest that she had to wear a bra stuffed with cotton. At that time, we all understood that she wanted to marry him, and he did not really want to marry her, although he thinks about it, turning to friends for advice. He hesitated, and we jokingly suggested that he put the matter to a vote in the Senate. When he finally proposed to her, Jackie was overjoyed ... "

"I'm the happiest girl in the world!" said Jackie Bouvier. But at the same time, she was still aware that Jack was not in love with her, that he preferred women of a different type ...

"I'm so different from the girls that Jack finds attractive!" she complained to Joseph Kennedy. The future father-in-law tactfully consoled her. Then he will keep her side in family conflicts. And Jackie will always keep warm feelings for him. After all, it was he who helped her catch and hold Jack ... He was the only one who saw in her the future First Lady!

The Kennedy family did not like Jackie. She seemed to them boring, arrogant and mannered. It was funny for Jack's sisters to hear Jackie pronounce her name Jacqueline in a French manner. Eunice, Jean and Patricia shamelessly scoffed at her passion for truly aristocratic amusements - ballet and hunting. They flaunted their family passion for sports and politics, which Jackie did not understand at all. They even criticized her appearance. But their father supported the future daughter-in-law in everything.

Joseph Kennedy took over the wedding arrangements and negotiations with the snobby mother of the bride, Janet Bouvier-Auchincloss, for whom the Kennedys, for all their wealth, were not noble enough. She wanted Jackie to marry either a representative of the American "old money", that is, a hereditary millionaire, or a wealthy European aristocrat, no less! But it was not difficult for the tough, ironic Joseph Kennedy to tame Ms. Auchincloss. He called a spade a spade and easily proved to her that Jackie would never have a better chance.

Janet Auchincloss wanted her daughter's wedding to be modest, only for close friends. But Joseph Kennedy decided to turn his son's wedding into the most significant celebration of the year. Of course, he won in this matter as well. Moreover, Jackie fully supported him: she always felt like a princess in exile, always dreamed of being in the spotlight, shining surrounded by luxury ... And finally, her dream came true, and her future father-in-law offered to start a wonderful new life with a great holiday!

Secular journalist Kitty Kelly, very popular in the 60s, described this celebration as follows: “By the morning of September 12, the gardens surrounding Hammersmith Farm, which is the country estate of Auchinclosses, were in full order. Graveled paths were ready for the arrival of 1200 guests, a huge stage was waiting for the Meyer Davis orchestra. On top of that, Janet Auchincloss wanted to set up tables on the lawns under umbrellas, near which short horses roamed the meadows. All this had a very pastoral appearance. Inside the Victorian mansion, a multitude of black-clad servants and maids scurried about silently. They arranged bouquets of flowers and hundreds of wedding gifts registered in Joe Kennedy's New York office. The day before, the family dressmaker finished sewing a silk dress for the bride. On the second floor, in a box, was a lace veil worn by generations of Li family brides. Jackie gave twelve bridesmaids her portraits in silver frames, on which was the date of the wedding, and the groom handed black silk umbrellas to the friends, on the handles of which there were silver monograms.

In Jackie's hands was a bouquet of red and white orchids. Gorgeous photos of the wedding were taken by Toni Frissell. True, the scene of cutting the cake and traditionally throwing a bouquet to the girlfriends had to be repeated several times before truly successful shots were made.

The bride's mood was greatly spoiled by the fact that her father got too drunk for joy and could not lead her to the altar ... Jackie so dreamed about it and sobbed so much when she found out that her father would not come. Her stepfather led her to the altar. But her father-in-law gave her beautiful diamond earrings. And the husband is a bracelet strewn with diamonds. The first diamonds in her life.

Jacqueline gave her husband a handwritten booklet in which she collected all the famous aphorisms about strong and bright men - such as Jack. The last was Napoleon's statement: "Great men are meteors, called upon to burn out in order to illuminate their age." Jack really liked it. He could not even imagine that this phrase was almost a prediction and that he himself would have to burn ... and become immortal.

After the wedding, Joseph also made sure that articles about the "beautiful young couple" appeared regularly in magazines and were accompanied by good photographs. It was Joseph Kennedy who was the creator of the "legend of Jackie" - he invented and developed with the help of bought newspapermen that image of the smart and sophisticated Mrs. Kennedy, who forever overshadowed the real Jackie: weak, nervous, tormented by boredom and unrequited love for her own husband.

Jack cheated on his wife, but in his own way he appreciated her taste, style and elegance. Jackie was jealous of other women, friends, family, and especially politics. Jackie never helped her husband and did not support him in the political struggle. But she passionately loved him until the last moment - until that terrible day on November 22, 1963, when Jack was shot dead in Dallas and his blood spattered Jackie's fashionable pink suit ...

Jacqueline had another brilliant marriage in her life: perhaps no other woman was so lucky with her husbands! But now love - love no longer happened. Hopes for happiness, like those that she had on September 12, 1953, when she walked down the aisle with John Fitzgerald Kennedy, never awakened in her soul.

From the book 100 great lovers author Muromov Igor

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KENNEDY, John Fitzgerald (1917–1963), President of the United States since 1961 155 We are on the threshold of new frontiers. Speech in Los Angeles on July 16, 1960, for the presidential nomination? Jay, p. 203 The "new frontier" program is associated with the name of John F. Kennedy, although this slogan

From the author's book

KENNEDY, John Fitzgerald (Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, 1917–1963), President of the United States93 We are on the threshold of new frontiers. Speech in Los Angeles on July 16, 1960, at the nomination of a presidential candidate? Jay, p. 203The "new frontier" program is associated with the name of John F. Kennedy, although this slogan appeared as early as the 1930s

Hello dear readers. Did you know that one of the most excellent dresses in the history of fashion was not liked by its owner? This bride was style icon Jacqueline Kennedy. Imagine! Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress is the most photographed dress in history. IN this moment it is on display at the Smithsonian Institution.

It all started when John and Jacqueline met at a social reception in 1952. Bouvier was a journalist then, and John was a young state senator. Could Jacqueline at that moment think that she would become the first lady of the United States?

The wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier and John F. Kennedy

On April 12, 1953, John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier got married. A huge number of guests were invited to it. Only 700 people were invited to the wedding ceremony itself, all the cream of society gathered. What can we say about the reception after the ceremony.

The reception took place in the family home of the Bouvier family, and was attended by about 1200 guests. Jackie's mother was against such a large number of guests, but Jackie's future father-in-law insisted on this. It was one of the most high-profile weddings of that time. The engagement ring was her first piece of jewelry, because before that she was just a journalist.

How many guests did you invite to your celebration? What is better: a magnificent reception or a quiet painting in the registry office?

And here is the masterpiece!

The dress of the future first lady of the United States was made by designer Ann Lowe in true Dior style. Jackie was a longtime client, as were the Roosevelts. Despite the efforts, the bride was not satisfied.

In addition to the wedding attire, 10 pink taffeta dresses for the bridesmaids were sewn. By coincidence, 10 days before the “X” day, an emergency occurred - a pipe burst and all the costumes deteriorated. Ann restored her outfits day and night in order to be in time for the celebration. And she succeeded!

And what were your force majeure situations before the wedding?

Dress

The tailoring took 2 months and 45 meters of ivory taffeta. The skirt is decorated with flowers and ribbons. The dress was considered somewhat unusual for that time, since ivory was chosen for it, and this despite the fact that at that time everyone wedding dresses were white.

After the wedding, Jackie said that it looked like a lampshade, but millions of women did not think so. After this wedding, designers and tailors received offers to sew similar models. It has truly become a benchmark. wedding fashion that time. Only gave way. A stunning yet understated floor-length maxi dress with a train and long sleeves. The top consisted of a sleeveless corset and a lace bodice, and a silk belt covered the waist.

Veil

Jackie's hair was adorned with a vintage tiara and veil. She inherited this veil from her grandmother, and is made of lace self made. Her grandmother and mother were married in this veil.

Jacqueline's second wedding

On October 20, 1968, the marriage of the already former first lady of the United States with Aristotle Onassis took place. Only 22 people were invited to the ceremony. Jackie was wearing a beige lace-trimmed mini dress. Valentino became the designer. The next day after the wedding, 40 of the same dresses were ordered from the designer.

Jacqueline Kennedy has become a style icon. She was loved and imitated by millions of women. She never held a royal title, but she was the queen of style. Not surprisingly, her wedding dress was one of the best in history.

Exactly sixty years ago, on September 12, 1953, the wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier and Senator John F. Kennedy took place.

The American state has three female faces: The Statue of Liberty, Betsy Ross, who, according to legend, sewed the first American flag, and Jackie Kennedy. The most famous first lady of the country, the wife of the most legendary US president - she was able to fall in love with not only the main American playboy, but the whole country that he led. Having been elevated to a pedestal after his death, she found the strength to get off it and, having become the most cursed woman in the history of the United States, she nevertheless managed to achieve the forgiveness of her country simply by remaining herself, charming, magnificent, adored by Jacqueline Bouvier, Mrs. Kennedy, Jackie Oh...

Jacqueline, whom American journalists called “our Queen” for her aristocracy and secular gloss, really came from the old American aristocracy, that is, from a family of descendants of the first settlers who made their fortunes on American soil and made up the color of New World society. Her father, John Vernon Bouvier, a member of the most prestigious private clubs in New York, inherited a good fortune, which he squandered with taste on women and gambling. For his constant tan he was nicknamed Black Jack, and for his passion for pleasure, the Sheikh; even his marriage in 1928 to the wealthy heiress Janet Leigh did not stop Jack's adventures. He was sixteen years older than his wife and began to cheat on her immediately after the wedding.

Their first daughter, Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, was born on July 28, 1929. A few months later, the New York Stock Exchange collapsed and buried the remnants of Bouvier's fortune under it.

White House Fairy

“The only way to ensure a comfortable existence is to get married successfully,” Jacqueline decided and set about fulfilling her dream. Using the status of a press representative, Jacqueline tried to make acquaintances with famous and rich people. At one of the events, she met with Senator John F. Kennedy, America's most tempting bachelor. Sparing no effort and time, Jacqueline tried to attract John's attention to herself and ensured that they began an affair.

Actually, it was not difficult to achieve an affair with John, the fame of a womanizer has long and firmly entrenched in the senator. He could easily make love to the person he liked right in his office, or run away from the meeting to the hotel opposite, arrange an orgy in one of the rooms, and then, as if nothing had happened, return to discussing the laws. “He took not quality, but quantity,” one of John's friends once joked. However, the bachelor position of the senator became an obstacle on his way to the presidency. John's father insisted on marriage. In the eyes of the Kennedy clan, Jacqueline had two important advantages - she was a Catholic and, thanks to her stepfather, was related to the aristocratic elite of America.

John F. Kennedy belonged to one of the most prominent families in the United States. His father, Joseph Patrick Kennedy or simply Joe, was equally successful in both politics and business. Unlike many, during the crisis of 1929, he increased the family fortune; for the help rendered to them by F.D. Roosevelt in his election campaign, he received the post of US ambassador to the UK - however, after the outbreak of war, he left this post ...

A talented politician and an unusually charming man, John F. Kennedy easily entered the House of Representatives in 1946 and was immediately recognized as the most attractive congressman. Since then, Kennedy has been elected to the House twice more, and now he was going to run for the Senate.

John was subdued: “I've never seen a woman like Jackie. She is different from everyone I know.” Indeed, it was difficult to find more different people: Jacqueline, a sophisticated intellectual who once dreamed of a ballet career (too large, forty-sized legs prevented her, as she was told in the studio “to play football with such legs”), could not imagine life without theater, good books and fashion shows, and John read only newspapers and biographies of political figures passionate about sports, politics and women.

Jacqueline was truly in love with John, although she knew about his adventures and health problems - John suffered from Addison's disease (chronic inflammation of the adrenal glands), malaria, and constantly struggled with the consequences of a spinal injury received in the war when his ship blew up on a Japanese torpedo. However, according to many researchers, all this only attracted Jacqueline, because John was very similar to her adored father - from fascination with women to back problems. "He is Attractive man of everyone I have met in my life,” she said.

It was John's most serious novel. However, he was not going to marry: firstly, he, like all Kennedys, was an inspired womanizer, and secondly, his image as a politician was largely based on his attractiveness as a free man. However, the father began to put pressure: if John does not marry, then he will be considered either “gay” or a debauchee; both were highly undesirable for the future president. The candidacy of Jacqueline Bouvier suited everyone: she was, like Kennedy, a Catholic, she had extensive family ties in the high society of New York, where the Kennedys could not get, she was smart, beautiful and her only one of all her women was John F. really respected.

In early June 1953, John was finally ripe for marriage. Apparently, afraid to change his mind, he immediately proposes to Jacqueline, and since she is in London, where she is filming the coronation of Elizabeth II, the marriage proposal was made by telegraph. Upon her return, Jacqueline received a ring from Van Cleef & Arpels with an emerald surrounded by diamonds. It was her first jewel in her life. The engagement was not announced immediately, a huge article in the Saturday Evening Post called “Jolly Bachelor in the Senate” was being prepared for publication, and the Kennedys did not want to spoil the impression. The engagement was announced on June 25. At the banquet, the groom presented Jacqueline with a diamond bracelet.

wedding of the year

... "Oh, the dress fits you like a glove. I don't think you'll need more fittings," the dressmaker said, adjusting the long hem. A few days later, Jacqueline, who turned 24, was to be married to 36-year-old Senator John F. Kennedy. As she descended the stairs to the first floor, she heard her mother arguing with her fiancé's father. “But it's crazy to invite such great amount guests - one and a half thousand people, ”the female voice insisted. “Miss Auchincloss, I'll be brief with you. You just give your daughter in marriage, and at this wedding I have to introduce the country to the future first lady. I hope you have no doubt that John will become president?” Jacqueline's mother considered it best not to continue the discussion, especially since the Kennedy family took over all the expenses for organizing the wedding. “Well, having a fortune of 400 million dollars, they can afford such expenses,” Janet Auchincloss reasoned.

The marriage of Jacqueline and John took place on September 12, 1953. It was attended by the entire political and economic beau monde of America, and journalists dubbed this event the "wedding of the year." Jacqueline's dress, in ivory taffeta adorned with intertwined flowers, was commissioned by dressmaker Ann Lowe, who worked for the New York aristocracy. On the head of the bride was a lace veil, which belonged to her grandmother, and around her neck was a family pearl necklace. The bride's bouquet consisted of white orchids and gardenias, and John F. Kennedy personally ordered a four-tiered cake. The bridesmaid was her sister Lee, who married publisher Michael Canfield in the spring. Jack Bouvier arrived at the ceremony, but got so drunk that his stepfather had to lead Jacqueline to the altar.

Lady Lace

In the US Secret Service, each first lady of the country was assigned its own operational pseudonym. Eleanor Roosevelt was called Wanderer, Betty Ford was Apron, Nancy Reagan was Rainbow, Barbara Bush was Serenity. Jacqueline Kennedy's name was Lace.

Lace was a mysterious and secretive lady. She hated to give interviews, for which she received from reporters in full. One of the main reasons for judgments and discussions was her appearance in public. More precisely, the outfits in which Jacqueline appeared. Newspapermen delved into the smallest details - from the shape of the hat to the color of the stockings. Her purchases in stores became public the next day. There was a lot of truth in the press publications and even more lies. Was there a case when Jacqueline bought 35 pairs of shoes at Bergdorf Goodman department store at once? And did she and her mother-in-law Rose spend about $30,000 a year on clothes in Parisian boutiques? Jacqueline herself said that you can spend so much money only buying sable underwear. Understanding this is not so easy. And is it necessary?

Although her underwear was made of plain cotton, Jacqueline undoubtedly loved luxury. And she never looked like the wives of Texas millionaires. She knew when to stop. More than anything, Jacqueline was afraid of looking overdressed. Therefore, the basis of her White House wardrobe was simple shirt dresses, A-shaped coats and evening dresses- "columns". For her husband's inauguration, Jacqueline wore an Oleg Cassini plain broadcloth coat with a tiny sable collar and a tone-on-tone muff.

The president was flattered by the attention the press gave to his wife. However, he was beginning to worry about the costs. During her first year in the White House, Jackie personally spent over $105,000 on clothes, jewelry, and beauty salon visits. “You understand that I only get a hundred thousand a year? Kennedy asked her. “If we didn’t have side income, we would go bankrupt.” "I do not understand anything. You easily spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on voters, and you reproach me for spending money on clothes. Yes, you're just a miser, ”Jacqueline answered and slammed the door. However, the next day she asked her press secretary to “hit her on the arm if she wants to buy an expensive dress.” Therefore, the first lady was always happy to receive a chic thing as a gift.

John was very attached to his wife. The sight of Jacqueline made his eyes light up. When the President was asked to describe his wife in one word, he exhaled without hesitation: “Fairy!”. He was immensely proud of her popularity, her taste, her education. During Kennedy's triumphant visit to Paris in 1962, Charles de Gaulle said: “The only thing I would bring from the USA is Mrs. Kennedy. She's too much of a jewel even for the President of the United States,” and John remarked, “Let me introduce myself. I am the man who accompanies Jacqueline Kennedy in Paris and I really like it.”

Enchanted de Gaulle presented Jacqueline with a watch with diamonds for $4,000. It wasn't the only one similar gift: the president of Pakistan gave her a necklace for a hundred thousand, the emperor of Ethiopia - a leopard mantle for 75 thousand, the king of Morocco - a belt in precious stones, and the prince of Libya - fifty thousand different jewels. In total, the Kennedys received gifts worth two million, as a result, Congress passed a law according to which the President and his family cannot accept gifts worth more than $ 100.

Jacqueline got it material well-being which she so desired. But family happiness did not work out. John spent all his time either with friends or on campaign trips ... Jacqueline tried to be a good wife to John, she made their house a place where guests were always welcome, whom John brought in a multitude, took care of appearance John and selected quotes for his speeches. For the sake of her husband, she overcame her eternal fear - Jacqueline did not tolerate the company of strangers. But she and Jack moved further and further away from each other. When Jacqueline gave birth to a dead girl in August 1956, John was sailing on a yacht in the Mediterranean. Although he rushed to his wife as soon as he learned about the tragedy, Jacqueline still did not forgive him. They parted ways in the fall.

But Joe was well aware that divorced in The White house don't get in. He met with Jack Bouvier and they agreed: Jacqueline returns to her husband, and John will be more attentive to his wife and no longer start novels in front of her. Jacqueline obeyed, they say, she also received good financial compensation. She resigned herself to her husband's spree, and to unwind, she went shopping, buying up designer clothes and expensive jewelry almost in bulk.

Two weeks after winning the election, on November 25, 1960, Jacqueline gave birth to a son, who was named John F. Kennedy Jr. And in 1963, she again felt that she was pregnant. Son Patrick was born on August 7, for a month and a half ahead of time. Her husband and sister urgently flew to Jackie, who interrupted their vacation on Onassis's yacht for this. The child died a day later. For the first time, John F. Kennedy was seen crying. When he announced the death of Patrick Jacqueline, she said: "The only thing I will not survive is your death."

October 20, 1968 b Former US First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy married Greek billionaire Aristotle Onassis. The American newspapers called this wedding "The Second Death of Kennedy."

In June 1968, Robert Kennedy was assassinated. Jacqueline could not find a place for herself from fear for the life of her children. She said: "If they kill Kennedy, then my children are also targets ... I want to leave this country." Trying to protect herself and her children, she accepted the proposal of Aristotle Onassis to marry him. A wealthy Greek shipping tycoon has long been courting President Kennedy's widow. Using his position in society and wealth, he could provide his new wife and her children with complete security.

The wedding took place in a small chapel on Onassis's private island of Skorpios in the Ionian Sea, a month before the fifth anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination. On the day of the wedding, it was raining and arriving guests were forced to hide under umbrellas.

Onassis was in a dark formal suit, and the bride was dressed in an ivory dress from Valentino. After photos from this wedding ceremony were published on the front pages of newspapers and magazines, a huge line of fashionistas lined up to the Italian fashion designer asking to make them a dress similar to Jacqueline's wedding outfit.

Throughout the 45-minute ceremony, Jackie and Onassis stood silently in front of an altar adorned with antique Byzantine icons purchased by the groom from private collectors. At the end of the ceremony, according to the ancient Greek tradition, they walked together around the altar three times and then kissed.

A Greek Orthodox priest untied the ribbons tying the newlywed couple's hands together and at that moment Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, who was 23 years younger than her new husband, became Mrs. Aristotle Socrates Onassis.

At the exit from the chapel, according to another Greek tradition, the guests threw rice and almonds at the newlyweds: rice for fertility, almonds for happiness

In total, the ceremony was attended by about forty closest friends and relatives of the newlyweds, including their children. Jacqueline's children Caroline and John Jr. even took part in the ceremony. They were entrusted with carrying two six-pound candles, which are an invariable attribute of a traditional Greek wedding.

As wedding gift Greek billionaire gave his new lover Golden ring(worth one and a half million dollars), adorned with a huge ruby, and several diamonds, each carat.

The news of Jacqueline's re-marriage caused bewilderment and even outrage among the Americans, who actually idolized her. Newspapers called this wedding "The Second Death of Kennedy." To criticism addressed to her, Jacqueline boldly answered, she boldly threw: “You killed my husband - I don’t want to indulge you and stay on the pedestal!”

This short marriage was not very happy. The couple had to endure several bitter moments. At one time, Onassis even hired private detectives, trying to convict his wife of infidelity and divorce her. And in January 1973, the only son of Aristotle Onassis died in a car accident. This event shook the health of the Greek magnate and 2 years later, on March 15, 1975, he died in Paris. Having become a widow for the second time, Jacqueline was forced to get involved in litigation over the inheritance of her second husband. After two years of legal battles, she received a $26 million release from Onassis's daughter Christina, who is his sole heir, and waived claims to Onassis' other property.

The article uses photographs from the Associated Press.



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