Jackie Kennedy died on May 19, 1994, from cancer
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NEED TO KNOW
- Jackie Kennedy was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1993
- She died on May 19, 1994, at age 64
- Jackie was buried next to her late first husband, John F. Kennedy, in Arlington National Cemetery
It’s been more than 30 years since the world lost an American icon: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
The former first lady — who was married to President John F. Kennedy until his assassination in 1963 — died on May 19, 1994, less than a year after being diagnosed with cancer.
“Jackie Kennedy Onassis was a model of courage and dignity for all Americans and all the world,” then-President Bill Clinton said in a statement the day after her passing. “More than any other woman of her time, she captivated our nation and the world with her intelligence, her elegance and her grace. Even in the face of impossible tragedy, she carried the grief of her family and our entire nation with a calm power that somehow reassured all of us who mourned.”
Jackie was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery beside her late first husband. At the time, she was survived by her children, Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr., as well as her longtime partner, Maurice Tempelsman.
Her final chapter — and the enduring public fascination with the Kennedy family — is revisited in FX’s Love Story, which premiered Feb. 12 and explores the romance between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
From her final moments to her funeral, here’s everything to know about Jackie Kennedy's death.
How did Jackie Kennedy die?
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Jackie died in her sleep on May 19, 1994, less than a year after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
In November 1993, she was thrown from a horse while foxhunting in Virginia and was hospitalized, according to Vanity Fair. During her stay, doctors discovered a swollen lymph node in her groin, which they initially believed to be the result of an infection.
By December, her condition had worsened, and she was diagnosed with cancer, per the National Archives. Jackie began chemotherapy treatments in January 1994 and chose to share her diagnosis publicly.
"There is an excellent prognosis,'' her spokesperson, Nancy Tuckerman, told PEOPLE at the time. ''The doctors are very, very optimistic.''
She continued to work three days per week as an editor at Doubleday. However, by March, the cancer had spread to her spinal cord and brain. When it later reached her liver in May 1994, doctors determined that Jackie's condition was terminal.
When and where did Jackie Kennedy die?
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The former first lady died at her apartment in New York City on Manhattan’s Upper East Side at 10:15 p.m. on May 19. She had been hospitalized in the days prior, but chose to leave New York Hospital on May 18 so she could spend her final hours at home, according to the National Archives.
On May 20, Jackie's son, JFK Jr., delivered a brief statement on the steps of her apartment building.
“She was surrounded by her friends and family and her books and the people and the things that she loved. And she did it in her own way, and we all feel lucky for that, and now she’s in God’s hands,” he said.
What were Jackie Kennedy’s last words?
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Jackie died with her children by her side. While her exact final words have never been publicly confirmed, she did leave behind a deeply personal letter for her son.
Family friend Gary Ginsberg later shared excerpts of the note in CNN’s 2025 documentary American Prince.
“I understand the pressure you’ll forever have to endure as a Kennedy, even though we brought you into this world as an innocent,” Jackie wrote. “You, especially, have a place in history. No matter what course in life you choose, all I can ask is that you … continue to make me, the Kennedy family and yourself proud.”
Where was Jackie Kennedy buried?
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The funeral was held on May 23, 1994. A private funeral mass took place at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola — the same church where Jackie had been baptized and confirmed, and where she regularly attended services while living in New York.
During the funeral, Tempelsman read the poem "Ithaka" by C. P. Cavafy.
"Keep Ithaka always in your mind," he read, in part. "Arriving there is what you're destined for. But don't hurry the journey at all. Better if it lasts for years, so you're old by the time you reach the island, wealthy with all you've gained on the way, not expecting Ithaka to make you rich."
She was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, beside her first husband. Jackie’s mahogany casket was draped in ferns and topped with a simple white cross made of lilies-of-the-valley, according to the John F. Kennedy Library website.
What legacy did Jackie Kennedy leave behind?
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Jackie redefined the role of first lady and cemented her place in American history. She was also a defining fashion figure of the 20th century, setting the standard for timeless style — from pillbox hats and tailored suits to oversized sunglasses.
During her time in the White House, she led a landmark restoration that transformed the presidential residence into a showcase of American art and historical furnishings. Her 1962 televised tour introduced millions of viewers to that effort and elevated the role of first lady into one with cultural influence and intellectual authority.
Following the assassination of her husband, she became the face of a grieving nation. Her poise in the wake of tragedy — and her invention of “Camelot” to describe his presidency — helped shape how Americans remembered that era and understood the magnitude of the loss.
In later years, Jackie carved out a respected second act as a book editor at Doubleday. Above all, she prioritized motherhood, and was a fierce protector for her two children, Caroline and JFK Jr.
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