Joan Kennedy, Former Wife of Ted Kennedy, Dies at 89

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00:00Joan Kennedy, former wife of Ted Kennedy, dies at 89.

00:05Joan Kennedy, the former wife of Senator Edward Ted Kennedy, died Wednesday.

00:09She was 89.

00:11Her death was confirmed in a statement by her son, Patrick Kennedy, and his wife, Amy.

00:17Mrs. Kennedy was a classically trained pianist, an advocate for mental health and addiction recovery,

00:22and a quiet pioneer in publicly addressing challenges with alcoholism and depression

00:27at a time when few others would, the couple said in the statement.

00:31Her courage and candor helped break stigma and inspired others to seek help and healing.

00:37Her impact on the arts, mental health advocacy, her beloved Boston community,

00:42and the nation will be remembered by many, the statement continued.

00:46Joan Kennedy divorced the senator in 1983 after a marriage fraught with scandals,

00:51including the Chappaquiddick accident.

00:52In 1969, he drove his car off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island,

00:58resulting in the death of his female passenger, Mary Jo Kopechnay.

01:02The senator swam to safety but waited hours before contacting police.

01:06He later pleaded guilty to charges of fleeing the scene of a crash.

01:10They had three children, Cara Kennedy, who died in 2011,

01:15Edward M. Kennedy Jr., and Patrick.

01:17She became one of the first women to publicly talk about her struggles with alcoholism and depression,

01:23ABC News reported.

01:25I will always admire my mother for the way that she faced up to her challenges with grace,

01:30courage, humility, and honesty, Ted Kennedy Jr. said in a statement.

01:35She taught me how to be more truthful with myself,

01:38and how careful listening is a more powerful communication skill than public speaking.

01:42She taught me how to be more truthful with myself,