New revelations have surfaced regarding Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s battle with substance abuse, particularly her cocaine use during her tumultuous relationship with JFK Jr., as revealed in a groundbreaking biography titled ‘Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed’ by Maureen Callahan.
The book delves into Carolyn’s history of cocaine use, which reportedly began during her tenure as the director of publicity for Calvin Klein in the 1980s and early 90s. Callahan details how Carolyn observed the models she worked with, trying to decipher their secrets to staying thin and maintaining their appearance.
Struggling with feelings of insecurity, Carolyn allegedly referred to herself as ‘jolie-laide’ (ugly-pretty) and embarked on a journey of physical transformation upon entering into a relationship with JFK Jr. in 1994. According to Callahan, she resorted to drastic measures such as Botox injections, eyebrow plucking, hair treatments, and weight loss through smoking and cocaine use to suppress her appetite.
Despite their marriage in 1996, Carolyn and JFK Jr. encountered significant challenges early on in their relationship. Public arguments, including a well-known incident in Washington Square Park where JFK Jr. was photographed in a physical altercation with Carolyn, led to a tumultuous dynamic between the couple.
As tensions escalated, Carolyn reportedly turned to a combination of anti-depressants and cocaine to cope with the strain on their marriage. Tragically, the couple, along with Carolyn’s sister Lauren, met their untimely demise on July 16, 1999, when JFK Jr.’s plane crashed off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard while en route to a family wedding.
