Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long been a prominent figure in American politics. From running as an independent presidential candidate to publicly backing President Donald Trump, he was ultimately nominated and confirmed as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services in February 2025. Now a member of Trump’s cabinet, Kennedy — part of the iconic Kennedy family — continues to draw attention not just for his political views, but also for his personal life.
His current wife, actress Cheryl Hines, has been a steady and supportive presence by his side, but who are his ex-wives? Hollywood Life has rounded up everything to know about Kennedy’s current marriage and past relationships, below.
Cheryl Hines
Cheryl and Robert have been married since 2014. They started dating in 2012 after being introduced by Cheryl’s Curb Your Enthusiasm co-star Larry David.
During an October 2024 interview with Us Weekly, Cheryl opened up about her and Robert’s marriage. She noted that, in order to have a long-term relationship, there “has to be a connection.”
“There’s, like, a connection that you look at your husband or your partner and all the crazy going on around you, or you look and you check in and it’s like, ‘OK. It’s going to be OK. We’re going to move through this moment,’” the actress explained. “And, you know, a lot of times it’s funny and you can lean over and say, ‘This is crazy balls,’ and have a moment together and then hold your head up high and go to the next thing.”
When it comes to her husband’s political career, Cheryl pointed out that people “have a lot of feelings about politics, especially in Hollywood, and I don’t know. I mean, so far I feel like it’s OK.”
“I’m OK to have conversations like that with people and, to me, it doesn’t define somebody,” Cheryl said. “To some people it does and it’s like you can’t control it. There’s nothing I can do about it, so I have to let it wash over me.”
Cheryl attended the UFC 314 match in Miami on April 12 alongside her husband, RFK Jr., where Trump appeared to snub the actress after greeting her husband.
Cheryl Hines getting blown off for a handshake by President Trump is just missing the Curb theme music. pic.twitter.com/yRYC8SufEu
— joel solomon (@joelwsolomon) April 13, 2025
Mary Kathleen Richardson
Before Robert met Cheryl, he was married to his second wife, Mary Richardson, from 1994 until they separated in 2010. The ex-spouses share four children together: Conor, Kyra, William Finbar “Finn” and Aidan.
Richardson died by suicide in 2012. She was found dead at her home in Bedford, New York.
Emily Ruth Black
Robert married his first wife, Emily Ruth Black, in 1982 after they met in college at the University of Virginia School of Law. They split in 1992 and officially divorced in 1994.
Robert and Emily share children Robert Francis “Bobby” and Kathleen Alexandra “Kick” Kennedy.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
