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JFK’s Grandson Jack Schlossberg’s Remarkable Transformation
In 2018, a 25-year-old Jack Schlossberg appeared on “Today” to promote the JFK Library Foundation and the Profile in Courage Award. While Schlossberg was ready to talk about that year’s recipient, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, host Savannah Guthrie had questions about the JFK Library committee member. Schlossberg, the only grandson of President John F. Kennedy, carries on his grandfather’s legacy with his striking looks and growing public presence.
“We always bother you about your future aspirations,” Guthrie said. “Do you feel like you know what you want to do? You gonna be a lawyer? You gonna be a businessman?” Schlossberg admitted, “I don’t know. That’s why I’m in school trying to figure that out. … I don’t know what the future holds.”
Throughout his life, Schlossberg has embraced numerous roles. He’s been an actor, written for his college newspaper, co-founded a nonprofit while in middle school, and spoken on national television. Balancing his family history and his personal growth, Schlossberg’s life has been one of continuous reinvention and transformation.
John Bouvier “Jack” Kennedy Schlossberg was born on January 19, 1993, the first and only son of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg. He is the youngest member of that branch of the Kennedy family tree, with two older sisters, Rose and Tatiana. Information about Jack’s childhood is sparse, likely intentionally, as both his grandparents, Jackie Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, were hounded by the media. Young Jack was occasionally photographed with his mother in New York City, but little is known about that period of his life.
Caroline Kennedy spoke to Parade about how her family influenced her parenting. She remarked that her children resembled her parents. “They look a little bit like them,” she said in 2011. “My son in particular is very interested in his grandfather, and he loved [Senator] Teddy [Kennedy]. Teddy made a huge effort over them, giving them a wonderful sense of connection with their grandparents.”
In junior high, Schlossberg and a group of friends founded ReLight NY, an organization dedicated to installing environmentally-friendly lighting in low-income neighborhoods. The group’s website included a bio of the young activist that read, “At 14, Jack is currently the youngest member of RelightNY. Jack is not yet in high school, but he already demonstrates an avid interest in cooking, baseball, and, of course, the environment.”
Co-founder Avery Hairston described the group’s mission in “The Green Teen,” saying, “Adults aren’t going to see the effects of global warming. So when someone young stands up and says, ‘Hey, you’re the one who has created the problem, help us fix it,’ it’s kind of powerful.”
One might assume that Schlossberg always knew about his family’s legacy, an assumption rooted in truth. However, it wasn’t until a specific day in tenth grade that he deeply explored his heritage. In history class, a teacher asked him about the Kennedy administration’s policy in Laos, a topic he was unfamiliar with, prompting Schlossberg to start reading about his grandfather’s legacy. “That day, I went home and started reading,” he recalled. Kennedy’s “moon speech” particularly resonated with him, especially the line, “not because they are easy but because they are hard.”
Schlossberg believes in the timeless message of commitment and has always felt fortunate to have a detailed historical record of his family to learn from.
Despite his family’s deep political roots, it was Barack Obama’s candidacy for president that truly energized Schlossberg. He recalled his uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy, asking his opinion of Obama. “I loved him and thought he was the real deal,” Schlossberg said, appreciating that his uncle valued the opinion of a young person. Ted and Caroline Kennedy’s endorsement of Obama helped boost his campaign.
Schlossberg later presented Obama with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, praising his leadership and urging citizens to choose courageous leaders.
Following family tradition, Schlossberg received an Ivy League education. He attended Yale, writing for the Yale Daily News, then proceeded to Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School. During his studies, he engaged in several events related to his family’s legacy. “People have been very cool to me,” he told Boston.com, insisting his pedigree didn’t affect his experience. Years later, Schlossberg credited Harvard for making him a clearer thinker, leading him to realize the validity of his beliefs.
In early 2024, Jack Schlossberg’s quirky shirtless videos went viral. In one video, he danced to “Ticket to Ride” by The Beatles, amassing 34.6 million views on X. Reactions were positive, with comments like, “Funny, charming & right on many issues” and “Hot like Uncle JFK Jr.” Schlossberg remarked, “Everyone’s looking for levity and humor, if it’s all so serious all the time, it’s just too heavy.”
However, not everyone was pleased. Some critiques emerged, especially when Schlossberg played characters with regional accents. A Kennedy family friend mentioned, “When he does working-class accents, he’s playing with fire. Here’s this rich kid making fun.” Yet, they acknowledged Schlossberg’s potential as a social media force.
Schlossberg’s viral fame gave him a platform during the 2024 election, which featured another Kennedy family member, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., running as an Independent. Kennedy Jr. had controversial positions, including anti-vaccine theories. Schlossberg openly criticized his cousin’s candidacy. In an Instagram video, Schlossberg stated, “I’ve listened to him. I know him. I have no idea why anyone thinks he should be president. His candidacy is an embarrassment.”
On August 23, 2024, RFK Jr. withdrew from the race and endorsed Donald Trump.
By July 2024, Schlossberg joined Vogue as a political correspondent. Drawing inspiration from his family’s legacy, he aimed to bring attention to critical political issues facing younger generations. “I am inspired by my family’s legacy of public service,” he said. “I have big dreams, but I also know that I’m trying to make a positive impact today.”
He called himself a “silly goose” and emphasized using humor to discuss serious topics. “If you’re going to ask people to think about something serious, you need to make it entertaining or fun,” he
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