Mary Jo Kopechne
American teacher, secretary, and writer
Mary Jo Kopechne Rank
About Mary Jo Kopechne
Mary Jo Kopechne was an American teacher, secretary, and political campaign specialist who rose to prominence after writing Robert F. Kennedy's presidential campaign speech in March 1968. Her promising career was cut short when she tragically lost her life in a car accident in 1969. The speech writer was riding as a passenger in a car driven by US Senator Ted Kennedy.
Family and Background
She was born on July 26, 1940 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, though she is sometimes referred to as a native of Forty Fort, Pennsylvania. She was the only child of insurance salesman Joseph Kopechne and housewife Gwen (née Jennings).
Career
Mary Jo Kopechne began teaching at the Mission of St. Jude after graduating. She later relocated to Washington, D.C., where she took a job as a secretary for Florida Senator George Smathers. Following the election of New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy, she joined his staff as a speechwriter's secretary and a legal secretary to one of his legal advisers.
Following the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in June 1968, she took a job at Matt Reese Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based political consulting firm.
Ted Kennedy’s two-month suspended sentence
Ted Kennedy pleaded guilty to fleeing the scene of the accident which resulted in Kopechne drowning. He received a two-month suspended sentence. The Senator's insurance company later paid Kopechne's parents $141,000 in settlement.
In addition to the rumors that floated about Ted Kennedy driving under the influence of alcohol on the day of the accident, it was also rumored that senator had an affair with Kopechne.
Trivia
She was a member of Kennedy's office softball team.
The car that she rode in on the day she died was a 1967 Oldsmobile Delmont 88.
After her death, her family began a scholarship fund to honor her accomplishments.
Ted Kennedy’s political career took huge hits due to the death of Kopechne. Some political scientists maintain that this was the reason why the senator never sought the White House job.
Mary Jo Kopechne Rank
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F.A.Q. about Mary Jo Kopechne
When is her birthday?
Mary Jo Kopechne's birthday is on July 26, 1940.
In how many days is her birthday?
Mary's birthday is in 101 days
How old was Mary when she died?
She was 28 years old.
When did she die?
She died in July 18, 1969.
How old would she be today?
Mary Jo Kopechne would be 83 years old if she was alive today.
Where was Mary from?
She was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S..