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Chapter 1: Teddy

A childhood of privilege, promise, and pain

The youngest Kennedy had charm aplenty, and gargantuan shoes to fill

By Bella English
Globe Staff / February 15, 2009

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On a spring day nearly two years ago, Senator Edward Kennedy sat on the porch of his sprawling Hyannis Port home with a friend of five decades, Edmund Reggie, who is also his father-in-law. The two men gazed out at the ocean that has been such an anchor in Kennedy's life and talked about the future. (Full article: 4807 words)

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Video

Overture

Follow the dramatic sweep of Ted Kennedy's life in a series of snapshots and footage capturing the personal and political.
Edmund Reggie, Ted's father-in-law
  • You have all this. You and Vicki love to travel. Why are you beating your brains out? You've got all the money you need. Your kids are all raised.
  • – Edmund Reggie to his son-in-law, Ted Kennedy

The Kennedy family

A Kennedy family portrait taken in Bronxville, NY. Seated (left to right): Eunice, Jean, Edward, Joseph Sr., Patricia, and Kathleen. Standing: Rosemary, Robert, John, Rose, and Joseph Jr. (Wide World Studio) A Kennedy family portrait taken in Bronxville, NY. Seated (left to right): Eunice, Jean, Edward, Joseph Sr., Patricia, and Kathleen. Standing: Rosemary, Robert, John, Rose, and Joseph Jr.

Joseph P. Kennedy

US Ambassador to Britain Joseph P. Kennedy waves en route to Washington, D.C., for a conference with President Roosevelt. (Globe library) US Ambassador to Britain Joseph P. Kennedy waves en route to Washington, D.C., for a conference with President Roosevelt.
Slideshow

Teddy as a young boy

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See the full Growing up Kennedy gallery

The Kennedy clan in London

From left: Kathleen, Joseph Sr., Rose Fitzgerald, Patricia, Jean, and Bobby, with Teddy in front. (AP) From left: Kathleen, Joseph Sr., Rose Fitzgerald, Patricia, Jean, and Bobby, with Teddy in front.
Kathleen Kennedy killed
Globe front page

Kathleen Kennedy killed in crash

Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.

In 1944, Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (shown in an undated photo) was killed when his Navy plane blew up during a mission. (AP) In 1944, Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (shown in an undated photo) was killed when his Navy plane blew up during a mission.
Video

Coffee with the Kennedys

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Football in Hyannis Port

Ted (squatting) poses with the pigskin during a day of touch football at the Kennedy compound. (Globe Library) Ted (squatting) poses with the pigskin during a day of touch football at the Kennedy compound.

Rose Kennedy

See a gallery of Rose and Ted through the years
Ted takes exception to being called overweight
Letter

Years later, Rose continues to tease Ted about his weight
Ted's years at Milton Academy
Yearbook

Ted's years
at Milton Academy
Slideshow

Ted playing football at Harvard

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Slideshow

Joan and Ted Kennedy

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Chairman of Jack's Senate campaign