The world knows of Jackie Kennedy, but how well do we really know her? Apparently not. Mrs. Kennedy was a fiercely private person, and there is a lot more to her than meets the eye. And the private world of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was unveiled by her tapes.
There are tapes that were recorded before she died in 1994. These were originally intended to remain sealed for 50 years. However, they were released decades early, with the blessing of her daughter, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg.
The recordings promise to deliver a deeply personal insight into the life of the former First Lady. Tapes had her thoughts on politics, power, and personal survival. All this in the shadow of one of America’s most iconic presidencies.
The early release had created intense public interest and debate. Caroline reportedly made the decision to release the tapes ahead of schedule. She made this decision because she wanted to shed light on the real Jackie Kennedy, beyond her public image of grace and stoicism.
The tapes had several controversial opinions. The most explosive revelation in the tapes is Jackie Kennedy’s belief that Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson played a role in her husband’s assassination.
According to the recordings, Jackie suspected Johnson was influenced by wealthy Texas businessmen. These men stood to gain from favorable oil policies and Vietnam War-related contracts. These suspicions have long been whispered secrets among conspiracy theorists. However, they will have a new life through Jackie’s own voice.
Reportedly, her concerns about Johnson were a reflection of what JFK thought about his Vice President. She recalled how her husband feared what a Johnson presidency could mean. The implications of these statements add a new and provocative layer to the mystery surrounding JFK’s tragic death in Dallas.
Jackie’s unfiltered commentary doesn’t stop at domestic politics. The tapes capture her unguarded opinions of prominent world figures. These offer a rare glimpse into her personal views.
She described Queen Elizabeth II as “unintelligent and unremarkable.” She also offered critical views on other global leaders, such as India’s Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Perhaps most surprising were her comments about civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. She labeled the great civil rights activist as a “phony.” These remarks paint a more complicated and perhaps controversial picture of Jackie’s social and political outlook and challenge the conventional image of her as merely a quiet observer of history.
In these tapes, Jackie also opened up about her decision to marry Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis after JFK’s assassination. It wasn’t a romantic fairy tale. She described the union as a calculated move to protect her children from further trauma. She claimed that she just wanted to ensure their security in an uncertain world.
Critics at the time viewed this marriage as opportunistic. But Jackie’s own words suggest a sensible mother navigating fame, fortune, and relentless public scrutiny after an unimaginable loss.
Style Study:
— Jackie Kennedy transitioned to Jackie Onassis, and during this era her style was noticeably more modern and private having left the White House and entering her second marriage to Aristotle Onassis. https://t.co/OSX5nibmq2 pic.twitter.com/uFdts6Lgdz— Jeremy Danté (@jeremydante) June 16, 2023
The tapes also revealed a woman seeking her own identity amidst heartbreak. Jackie candidly discussed the infidelities within her marriage to JFK and her emotional turmoil. She admitted to finding strength through her own relationships. These might have also served as her way of revenge. These relationships carved out moments of control in a world that didn’t let her have free will.
Despite the chaos, Jackie recalled her time in the White House as the happiest chapter of her life. These tapes not only deepen the legacy of Jackie Kennedy but also offer a raw, complex portrait of a woman who endured more than most and left behind far more than elegance and myth.
