Back in the mid 80’s I worked for a top law firm in Downtown LA. One day I was waiting for the elevator to go to lunch. When the doors opened I almost passed out when there stood John and a couple of other guys. John smiled right at me, said hi, asked if I worked at the firm, and whether I liked it. He said they were all there to consider the summer law clerk intern program. I answered the best I could considering my shock. When we got to the lobby, the moment of small talk was over but it was a huge moment and lifetime memory for me. 😊
He was a creative, very much not a lawyer’s intellect or personality. That does not mean he was stupid or “not the sharpest tool in the shed.” It means that his intelligence existed in a different area. There is no shame in that. Not everyone is a traditional student and that does not mean they are limited. Remember, he wanted to be an actor, but his mother nixed that. She wanted him to pursue the typical academic path of his sister.
To be born into the life John and Caroline were, was their "normal." Their mother did the best she could. Fortunately, she had a lot of support and the financial means to support her children. Considering what she had witnessed just inches away from President Kennedy, I cannot fathom the trauma she endured for the rest of her life, even with therapy. I do wish she had allowed John to be himself instead of forcing law school on him. Upper class attitudes! I did read somewhere where he said to his mother that he wouldn't fly. No idea if that's actually true. Flying was only after his mother died. It's clear that John needed to be unplugged from people more than Caroline did. I chalk that up to being the very attractive son of a beloved President. I'm 4 days older than John and it felt so familiar when he died. I was having an iced coffee at Starbucks in San Diego when they were missing that first day. I will never forget that sick feeling in my stomach. God rest all of their souls. They are all missed.
We loved John John and Caroline as much as we loved their parents. When Pres. Kennedy was killed, it traumatized me. To this day I cry when I see docs of the Kennedys. Jackie adored her children and fiercely protected them, for obvious reasons. When John Jr died, I felt sick, but was just glad Jackie didn't have to experience it
44:18 I listened to the whole piece! I really enjoyed it because we are getting a different, longer view of JFK Jr. He and Princess Diana were born within a year of me...when we lost Diana, I thought how sad, a voice for hope from my generation and at least we still have that voice in JFK Jr. It was surreal when he passed and I was heartbroken! Thank you Katie for continuing your work-Claire Perez
I saw him in central park in 1995 playing 🏈.. I said Hi I'm from Canada.. Canada eh? He remarked good to meet you with a gentle smile ,wow he was handsome .
I always got the feeling that John Jr., Carolyn, and Lauren were good, kind people, but this interview just confirmed it. Heartbreaking that we lost them!
I forgot to say , I have always admired. And you are so lovable! and you seek so sincerely and empathetically (sp?) and bravely.. Katie, so glad to have found your podcast ❤
I feel there are 2 great and honest books written about JFk Jr. The first was "The Men We Became" by Robert Littell and now this incredible book "JFK Jr." by RoseMarie Terenzio and Liz McNeil. I think John, Carolyn and Lauren are honored in such an authentic and truthful way. I just wish there was a way it could have had a different ending. Congratulations, you should both be proud! It must not have been easy especially for Ms. Terenzio who knew them both so well to have to relive such painful memories and I admire both your courage to have been so open in exposing certain flaws and truths about some of John's family members.
I just reserved the book from my local library. There are 10 folks ahead of me, waiting for the book. I can't wait to read it. P.S -- Rosemarie Terenzio hasn't aged one iota. What's your secret Rosemarie!
Good morning afternoon, I just remember one of the pilots didn't want him to fly because he didn't have enough experience, he wasn't instrument-rated he wanted to fly with him 🤷🏻♀️ should never have happened if you would have listened
My heart broke during JFK Jr. tragedy. I lived near the shore in RI , on that day..the haze and humidity. He was going to take off, I think there had been a delay? for departure... was it near dusk? The reports as I recalled that kind of air and time of day..just seemed wrong .unsettling. Later, learning that he relied more on the horizon, than the instruments.. Do I have that right? Not entirely sure
Interesting bio. Ironical that the most sought after desireable man on the planet spent his last nite sleeping alone in a hotel just blocks from his wife and utterly miserable on the day he died. As my mum said "The most important decision you make in you life is who you marry."
Worst book ever. I got to chapter 3 and returned it for store credit at B & N. I just had to delve into what the hype was about, but in reality JFK jr was just another scion riding on his late father’s over rated legacy if you take into account all the misogyny and power manipulations that went on until karma intervened. Maureen Callahan’ s “Ask Not”…..The Kennedys and the Women They destroyed…..is a way better read with historical significance. Meanwhile this JFK jr book was a rehash recollection of JFK jr.’s associations …..Who cares? America went on for the better without an ADHD drug user who failed the bar exam many times until his family helped him. Like a bad People magazine excerpt collection.
"If you can't beat 'em...join 'em," John told Larry King when asked why he created George Magazine. His mother also had mixed feelings about the media. "That's not what's real in my life," she told a friend. "What's real are my family and friends." Thank you Ladies for protecting John from the vultures.
I wanted to watch this video about a new book about John Kennedy Jr. However, I could not finish the video. The interviewer is condescending, actually offensive in her descriptions of John. She describes him as " not being the sharpest tool in the shed " . Really ??? Are you a professional ?? Maybe she was asking some of these questions for the shock value, to get a reaction from the authors of the new book, I don't know but the interviewer is being immature, offensive, and downright mean with the way she asks questions, and even her description of John Jr's father. The interview goes in to great detail of the personal life of the President of the United States. These two men have passed away, and I assume this book is revealing some secrets about John, and maybe this will boost sales if we put a scandal spin on things. But the Kennedy family had grace and pride, and if John were alive, either one of them, I feel quite sure that they would shut down this interview.
Let’s just say he was no road scholar, they wanted him to repeat the 3rd grade so his mother took him out of that school and put him in another one, he had to repeat his senior year of high school.
Katie Couric used to be a reporter/interviewer on the Today Show. She does have an edge where she will ask probing questions that are often of interests to the public, but she is professional and has a ton of experience.
And, please interview J.D. Vance, as I've been researching him.. going back to 2016 with his book, Hillbilly Elegy. Ii think he is a pretty wonderful person, as well. Thanks, Katie!❤
