Stephen Edward Smith | |
|---|---|
 Smith in 1963 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1927-09-24)September 24, 1927 Bayport, New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 19, 1990(1990-08-19) (aged 62) New York City, U.S.[1] |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4, includingWilliam |
| Relatives | Kennedy family |
| Alma mater | Georgetown University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1951–1952 |
| Rank | First lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
Stephen Edward Smith (September 24, 1927 – August 19, 1990) was the husband ofJean Ann Kennedy. He was afinancial analyst andpolitical strategist in the1960 United States presidential campaign of his brother-in-lawJohn F. Kennedy.[1]
Smith was born inBayport,Long Island,New York, to Julia A. (Cleary), daughter of four-term CongressmanWilliam E. Cleary, and John Joseph Smith, and grew up in theBay Ridge section ofBrooklyn. He attendedGeorgetown University, graduating in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in history. He served during theKorean War as a first lieutenant in theU.S. Air Force from 1951–1952.[1]
Smith joined his family's business, Cleary Brothers Inc., which operated tugs and barges on New York's upstate canals and in New York Harbor. He then headed the Park Agency Inc., in Manhattan, where he managed $300 million in Kennedy family investments.
After his father-in-lawJoseph P. Kennedy Sr. suffered a stroke on December 19, 1961, Smith managed the family's fortune out of a New York City office building. He was responsible for overseeing the trusts that benefited him and his family as well as the other children and grandchildren of Joe and Rose Kennedy.
Smith played an active role in JFK's 1960 presidential campaign, and was working as Kennedy's campaign manager for re-election in 1964 at the time whenPresident Kennedy wasassassinated inDallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.[2] Smith served asUnited States SenatorRobert F. Kennedy's campaign manager duringhis 1968 presidential run at the time when theSenator was assassinated at theAmbassador Hotel inLos Angeles, California on June 5, 1968. In the fall of 1979, as polls showed that SenatorTed Kennedy could easily defeat PresidentJimmy Carter in the Democratic primaries, Kennedy announced his candidacy and made Smith his campaign manager. Kennedy lost to Carter and chose to not run again.
Smith and Jean Ann Kennedy were married May 19, 1956 inSt. Patrick's Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan, at which point he became the brother-in-law of future President John F. Kennedy. Stephen and Jean had two biological sons and later adopted two daughters:
A longtime smoker, Smith died from lung cancer at his home in Manhattan on August 19, 1990, at age 62.[1]
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