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John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette Died 25 Years Ago – Inside Their Tense Final Days

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  • It’s been 25 years since a tragic plane crash claimed the lives of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, a couple who captivated the world with their passionate romance.
  • For decades, mystery surrounded the true state of their marriage, especially in the tumultuous weeks and days leading up to their untimely deaths.
  • Recently, those closest to John and Carolyn have unveiled intimate details about their relationship — from their attempts at reconciliation, to the unsettling murmurs of infidelity.

In July 1999, the world was stunned by the tragic deaths of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. As the nation mourned the loss of the beloved couple, whispers of tension and turmoil in their final days began to emerge.

John F. Kennedy Jr. planting a kiss on Carolyn Bessette's cheek at the annual White House Correspondents dinner on May 1, 1999, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images

John F. Kennedy Jr. planting a kiss on Carolyn Bessette’s cheek at the annual White House Correspondents dinner on May 1, 1999, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images

The nation grappled with the sudden loss, with many looking back at the origins of John and Carolyn’s relationship, seeking to understand the couple behind the headlines. Carolyn, known for her striking beauty and keen fashion sense, had a life of her own before meeting John.

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette at the kick-off party for The Warhol Look: Glamour, Style, Fashion event at the Whitney Museum on November 6, 1997, in new York. | Source: Getty Images

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette at the kick-off party for The Warhol Look: Glamour, Style, Fashion event at the Whitney Museum on November 6, 1997, in new York. | Source: Getty Images

After graduating from Boston University with a degree in education, she started working at Calvin Klein’s boutique in Boston. Her life changed when she moved to New York in 1989 and took a job in VIP sales for Calvin Klein. There, she met John.

In the spring of 1992, Calvin Klein was reintroducing menswear. John had a fitting scheduled, and Calvin decided Carolyn should assist him. John left the meeting with a new wardrobe and Carolyn’s phone number.

Calvin Klein and Carolyn Bessette at the City of Hope fundraiser on October 28, 1992, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Calvin Klein and Carolyn Bessette at the City of Hope fundraiser on October 28, 1992, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Calvin’s assistant recalled, “John invited her to join his group at a gala dinner. Sitting next to him was another woman that Carolyn either mistook as his date or actually was his date.” This confusion left Carolyn unimpressed, but fate would bring them together again soon.

Their next big encounter was at a fundraiser on May 18. John and Carolyn spent over an hour engrossed in conversation at the bar and never looked away from each other. This marked the beginning of a whirlwind romance.

Caroline Bessette photographed planting a kiss on John F. Kennedy Jr.'s cheek in the back of a taxi in New York on March 11, 1996. | Source: Getty Images

Caroline Bessette photographed planting a kiss on John F. Kennedy Jr.’s cheek in the back of a taxi in New York on March 11, 1996. | Source: Getty Images

They had sultry dinners, danced, and took intimate walks in Central Park. John even introduced Carolyn to Sea Song, his Long Island home shared with his cousin, Anthony Radziwill.

However, the budding relationship was not without its challenges, as John and Carolyn were on-again-off-again for years. One notable incident occurred when John gave Carolyn a letter from a friend accusing her of being a social climber.

Carolyn Bessette posing for a portrait on August 25, 1992, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Carolyn Bessette posing for a portrait on August 25, 1992, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Shocked and hurt, Carolyn watched as John left the restaurant, leaving her to process the harsh accusations alone. During these trials, John was often seen with other women, including actress Daryl Hannah, a fact well-documented by the press.

Carolyn, aware of the competition, once found a pair of duck boots belonging to John’s ex-girlfriend, Julie Baker, in his apartment. Despite them being a size too small, she wore them, making a statement.

Carolyn Bessette at a Calvin Klein Fashion Show on April 10, 1994, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Carolyn Bessette at a Calvin Klein Fashion Show on April 10, 1994, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Friends of Carolyn noted how John’s persistence played a crucial role in their evolving relationship. One friend shared that he called all the time. Carolyn reportedly then crafted an answering machine message that made him think she had moved on.

Anyone who wanted to leave a message would hear Carolyn saying, “Hey, hon, I’ll be back by seven o’clock, can’t wait to see you!” The plan worked, and John began calling even more. By the summer of 1995, their relationship had reached a pivotal moment.

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, circa 1996. | Source: Getty Images

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, circa 1996. | Source: Getty Images

During a weekend fishing trip to Martha’s Vineyard, John uniquely proposed to Carolyn. While out on the water, he turned to her and said fishing was so much better with a partner. John then presented Carolyn with a platinum band adorned with diamonds and sapphires.

Her initial response was cautious, as she told John she would think about it. Eventually, Carolyn accepted and began planning one of the most anticipated weddings of the decade.

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette at a reception at the Whitney Museum in 1996. | Source: Getty Images

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette at a reception at the Whitney Museum in 1996. | Source: Getty Images

Their wedding took place on September 21, 1996, on Cumberland Island, Georgia, at the First African Baptist Church. The intimate gathering was a contrast to the grand public spectacles associated with the Kennedy family.

The reception at the Greyfield Inn added to the charm, with the couple surrounded by 40 of their closest friends and family members. Carolyn’s wedding dress became a focal point, forever altering bridal fashion.

It was designed by her friend Narciso Rodriguez and epitomized elegance and simplicity. The bride paired her pearl-colored silk crepe dress with a silk tulle veil and crystal-beaded Manolo Blahnik sandals.

She tied the ensemble together with long white gloves and a bouquet of lilies. Carolyn’s hair was styled into a bun and secured with a clip that once belonged to her mother-in-law, Jacqueline Kennedy, adding a touch of personal history.

Denis Reggie, a veteran Kennedy family photographer, captured touching moments from the special day. He immortalized the moment John kissed Carolyn’s hand as they left the church. “It was an incredibly magical moment. I saw it as it was unfolding, almost in silhouette,” Denis shared.

“It was virtually dark outside. John reached for the hand of Carolyn; she was caught off guard. I’m walking backward in the light rain at dusk, and John does this amazing gesture, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips,” he continued.

In 2023, new details about the wedding emerged in the book “CBK: Caroline Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion” by Sunita Kumar Nair. In the book, hairstylist George Kyriakos revealed that Carolyn was late on her wedding day.

This was due to last-minute alterations to her $40,000 gown, necessitated by weight loss in the days leading up to the event. Wedding guest Sasha Chermayeff, one of John’s best friends, noted that the delay only added to the magic of the ceremony.

After their honeymoon, John and Carolyn returned to life as newlyweds. However, the intense and relentless media attention cast a shadow over their attempts to build a life together.

The couple faced numerous challenges, which became more pronounced in the weeks and days leading up to their tragic death. A 2024 book titled “JFK Jr: An Intimate Oral Biography” by Rose Marie Terenzio, John’s assistant and close friend, shed light on the immense pressures the couple was experiencing.

Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. spotted on a walk in 1996. | Source: Getty Images

Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. spotted on a walk in 1996. | Source: Getty Images

One significant stressor was the impending death of John’s closest cousin, Anthony, who was battling cancer. John was also struggling to secure new financing for his political magazine, George.

Carolyn, on the other hand, grappled with the challenges of living in the global spotlight. John had grown used to media attention throughout his life. However, she found the constant surveillance invasive and, at times, terrifying.

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Caroline Bessette photographed in New York, circa 1996. | Source: Getty Images

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Caroline Bessette photographed in New York, circa 1996. | Source: Getty Images

“They were both very sympathetic to what the other one was going through, but also getting a little impatient. Sort of, ‘When will things be okay at George?’” revealed author Elizabeth Beller.

“‘When will we stop having to have every night be about going out to promote the magazine or look for advertisers?’ And [John] felt like, ‘When are you going to be able to handle the press, because it’s not going to go away?’” she continued.

Caroline Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. spotted in New York in 1996. | Source: Getty Images

Caroline Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. spotted in New York in 1996. | Source: Getty Images

In response to the mounting pressures, John and Carolyn began attending marriage counseling in the spring of their final year. However, rumors of infidelity further complicated the couple’s efforts to move forward.

Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. during a reception at Chateau de Malagny, circa 1996. | Source: Getty Images

Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. during a reception at Chateau de Malagny, circa 1996. | Source: Getty Images

John reportedly spent at least one night during hid last week alive at the Stanhope Hotel. Rumors had it he was seeing his former girlfriend, Julie Baker. The alleged meet-up occurred near the Upper East Side neighborhood where John, his sister Caroline, and their mother once lived.

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette photographed leaving their New York apartment, circa 1996. | Source: Getty Images

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette photographed leaving their New York apartment, circa 1996. | Source: Getty Images

Years later, Carolyn’s ex-boyfriend, Calvin Klein model Michael Bergin, claimed in his 2005 book “The Other Man,” that he continued to have a romantic relationship with her during her marriage. This further raised suspicions about the true state of John and Carolyn’s relationship.

The late couple’s marriage also suffered from Carolyn’s lingering resentment of the fact that John had never introduced her to his mother before she died on May 19, 1994.

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Jacqueline Kennedy at the opening of J.F.K. Library in 1999. | Source: Getty Images

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Jacqueline Kennedy at the opening of J.F.K. Library in 1999. | Source: Getty Images

Carolyn had introduced John to her own mother, which made Jacqueline’s absence even more poignant. “If Carolyn met Jackie, I think he knew that that would sort of become a life of its own. And maybe he wasn’t quite ready for that,” Elizabeth shared.

Carolyn Bessette  and John F. Kennedy Jr. photographed in New York, circa 1997. | Source: Getty Images

Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. photographed in New York, circa 1997. | Source: Getty Images

In a final bid to mend their strained relationship, Carolyn agreed to go with John to his cousin Rory’s wedding in Hyannis Port. The plan involved a stopover at Martha’s Vineyard to drop off Carolyn’s sister, Lauren.

Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. at the Municipal Art Society's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal Awards on April 6, 1998, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. at the Municipal Art Society’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal Awards on April 6, 1998, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

John, an experienced pilot, would then fly his Piper Saratoga plane, which he had bought earlier that spring, to Hyannis Port. On July 16, after a day at the office, John met Lauren at 6 p.m. for the drive to Caldwell Airport in New Jersey. Carolyn arrived separately via car service.

Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. after Michael Kennedy's funeral in 1998 in Boston, Massachusetts. | Source: Getty Images

Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. after Michael Kennedy’s funeral in 1998 in Boston, Massachusetts. | Source: Getty Images

For decades, rumors swirled that Carolyn was late to arrive at the airport because of a spa appointment. However, eyewitnesses clarified that she had left the spa by 5 p.m. and had made a quick stop at Saks to buy a dress for the wedding.

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette at the annual John F. Kennedy Library Foundation dinner and Profiles in Courage Awards on May 23, 1999, at the Kennedy Library in Boston, Massachusetts. | Source: Getty Images

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette at the annual John F. Kennedy Library Foundation dinner and Profiles in Courage Awards on May 23, 1999, at the Kennedy Library in Boston, Massachusetts. | Source: Getty Images

As Carolyn departed, a salesgirl wished her good luck. By the time their plane took off at 8:38 p.m., the sun was setting, and visibility was poor due to worsening weather conditions.

Tragically, John and Carolyn never made it to Hyannis Port. The plane crashed into the waters about seven miles from Martha’s Vineyard, killing them and Lauren on July 16, 1999. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) thoroughly investigated the crash.

The front page of the Daily News dated July 18, 1999. | Source: Getty Images

The front page of the Daily News dated July 18, 1999. | Source: Getty Images

Their findings pointed to spatial disorientation as the primary cause. The report concluded that the “probable cause(s) of this accident to be the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a descent over water at night. Factors in the accident were haze and the dark night.”

Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. at the Newman's Own George Awards at the US Customs House in 1999 in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. at the Newman’s Own George Awards at the US Customs House in 1999 in New York. | Source: Getty Images

John, who was used to visual flying conditions, struggled with the poor visibility that evening. The hazy night, coupled with his relatively limited experience flying in such conditions, led to a tragic loss of control.

“I know [Carolyn] didn’t want to go to the wedding. I think she had been to so many events, she just needed a break. But the bottom line is, she did end up deciding to go. She went with him. She made that commitment to say, ‘I will go with you,’” Elizabeth revealed.

Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. at the 1999 White House Correspondents' Dinner. | Source: Getty Images

Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. at the 1999 White House Correspondents’ Dinner. | Source: Getty Images

John, Carolyn, and Lauren’s tragic deaths sent shockwaves across the nation and beyond. It marked a poignant end to the lives of two individuals who had captivated the public with their passionate romance.

In the years following the crash, John and Carolyn’s legacies have been the subject of many books, documentaries, and articles.

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy at the Brite Night Whitney annual fundraising gala on March 9, 1999, at the Whitney Museum in New York. | Source: Getty Images

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy at the Brite Night Whitney annual fundraising gala on March 9, 1999, at the Whitney Museum in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Carolyn Bessette was an admired fashion icon during her lifetime and continues to inspire over two decades after her death. Her elegant style and poised demeanor left a lasting impact on the fashion world.

Together with her husband, their love story and tragic end remain etched in public memory. Their legacy of love and passion will forever live on, captivating and inspiring future generations.

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