Trivia

In 1965, still mourning his brother John's death, he journeyed to Canada to climb Mount Kennedy (on the Alasken-Canadian border) which had been named in his brother's honor. Breaking away from the team of experienced mountain climbers, Kennedy made it to the summit making him the first man ever to reach the top.

He once got into a contest with Richard Burton, who greatly admired him, in which they tried to outdo the other by quoting William Shakespeare's sonnets. Both were word-perfect, and Burton was forced to "win" the contest by quoting one of the sonnets backwards, a feat Bobby could not match.

In stark contrast to his older brother John F. Kennedy's poor health, Robert was a very strong and physically active man who enjoyed hiking and kayaking, among other outdoor activities.

He was the only Kennedy son to complete his father's challenge to not drink or smoke until his twenty-first birthday (for which his father rewarded him with $1,000), and he didn't have any ash trays in his home (unusual for the 50's-60's).

Had 11 children: Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (b. 1952), Joseph Kennedy (b. 1953), Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (b. 1955), Courtney Kennedy Hill (b. 1957), Michael Kennedy (b. 1959, d. 1998), Kerry Kennedy Cuomo (b. 1960), Christopher Kennedy (b. 1964), Max Kennedy (b. 1966), Douglas Kennedy (b. 1967), Rory Kennedy (b. 1968), and David Kennedy (d. 1984).

The R.I.C.O. (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) act of 1970, which has been used to bring about widespread indictments against Organized Crime and the Federal Witness Protection Program is said to have been the brainchild of Robert F. Kennedy when he was the Attorney General.

The hotel in which he was shot, the Los Angeles Ambassador, has since been torn down.

Wife Ethel was three months pregnant with their daughter Rory Kennedy when he was assassinated.

He harbored strong disdain for Lyndon B. Johnson, his older brother's vice president [who ultimately took over as president after John's death] and the feeling was mutual.

Became close to actor Warren Beatty during his 1968 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. Beatty's relationship with Robert was closer than the one he had with John F. Kennedy while JFK was president. Beatty was particularly valuable in firing up volunteers for such mundane activities as door-to-door canvassing. Bobby was impressed by Beatty's thorough understanding of the issues. After Bobby's assassination in Beatty's hometown of Los Angeles, Beatty became a vocal gun control advocate.

Is one of just two sitting U.S. senators to be assassinated, the other being Huey Long.

Graduated from Harvard University in 1948 with a government degree.

Family friend Andy Williams sang the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" at his funeral. Williams named his son Bobby Williams in honor of Kennedy.

Interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, about 100 yards to the left of his brother's grave.

When he was a senator he hired Jeff Greenfield as a speechwriter, who stayed until Kennedy was assassinated.

Resigned as U.S. Attorney General in 1964 to run for a U.S. Senate seat in New York. Several of his critics accused him of being a 'carpet bagger' with very few ties, if any, to New York. Furthermore, he was ineligible to vote on November 3rd, 1964, the day of the election, because he did not meet the state property qualifications at the time. Despite this, he went on to narrowly win the seat and served in the Senate until his death in 1968.

Was a close friend of Robert Vaughn.

Died the same day as Randolph Churchill, the only son of Winston Churchill.

Grandson of Congressman John F. Fitzgerald.

Son of Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Kennedy.

Initially advocated a full-scale military invasion of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, a fact he did not mention in his memoirs.

Was known for his love of chocolate ice cream and, on the 1968 campaign trail, liked to end the day by eating a big bowl, while at the same time sipping a Heineken beer.

Uncle of Maria Shriver; ex-uncle-in-law of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Served as Attorney General in his brother, John F. Kennedy's, Cabinet, and resigned in 1964 after his brother's death.

Graduated from the University of Virginia Law School in 1951.

Served as a United States Senator from New York state from 1964 - 6 June 1968.

Graduated from Milton Academy.

Uncle of Robert Shriver, Caroline Kennedy, Christopher Lawford, John Kennedy Jr., Maria Shriver, Patrick Joseph Kennedy II.

A wax replica of his head from the defunct Hollywood Wax Museum was auctioned off for a winning bid of $200 during a live auction on eBay on May 11, 2006.

Was portrayed by Steven Culp in Thirteen Days (2000), Linus Roache in RFK (2002), Dave Fraunces in Bobby (2006), and Tim Ransom in A Woman Named Jackie (1991).

He was of Irish descent.

Pictured on a 15¢ US commemorative postage stamp issued in his honor, 12 January 1979.

Brother of U.S. Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, John F. Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Patricia Kennedy, Rosemary Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy and Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr.

When Kennedy was assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968, it was his friend John Frankenheimer who had personally driven him there that day

Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan is currently confined at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in southern San Diego County serving life sentence (his early death sentence was reversed due to California laws that invalidated such convictions prior to 1972) .

Ex-brother-in-law of Peter Lawford.

Father of Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Joseph Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, Rory Kennedy.

Grandfather of Saoirse Kennedy-Hill and Joe Kennedy III.

U.S. senator from New York (1965-1968).