Kara Kennedy, the niece of United States President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, carved out her own meaningful path in life as both a dedicated philanthropist and a respected film and television producer. As the daughter of Senator Ted Kennedy and socialite Joan Bennett Kennedy, Kara Kennedy was not only part of a prominent political family but also made significant contributions in her own right. Kara Kennedy attended Tufts University, where she laid the foundation for her future career, and after graduation, she began working in media—first with the New York office of Fox News, then moving on to produce a popular Boston-based program for WBZ-TV called Evening Magazine.
In 1990, Kara Kennedy married architect Michael Allen, and their marriage remained strong until her unexpected passing in 2011. Together, they raised two children, Grace and Max, who were central to her life. Throughout her adult years, Kara Kennedy faced health challenges bravely, including a difficult battle with lung cancer, which she ultimately overcame—only to succumb later to a sudden heart attack. Despite the obstacles, Kara Kennedy remained active in charitable causes and continued to inspire those around her. Kara Kennedy’s legacy lives on through her work, her family, and the enduring impact she made during her lifetime.
She was actively involved in creating films for her aunt Jean Kennedy Smith’s Very Special Arts, or VSA—a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding arts access for people with disabilities. Over the years, she continued supporting VSA’s mission, often highlighting the importance of inclusion through the projects she produced. Her dedication to the cause reflected a deep personal connection, especially given her close relationship with Jean Kennedy Smith. Through her work, she helped amplify the voices of many artists who might otherwise have been overlooked, all under the umbrella of Jean Kennedy Smith’s visionary initiative.