If you only know Cheryl Hines as the woman who puts up with Larry David’s antics on Curb Your Enthusiasm, you’re missing the wildest plot twist in Hollywood history. Honestly, nobody—not even Larry—could have scripted her actual life. These days, she isn’t just an Emmy-nominated actress. She is the wife of RFK Jr., a title that has recently dragged her from the red carpets of Los Angeles into the mahogany-and-marble reality of Washington, D.C.
It’s a lot.
Moving into a $4.4 million Georgetown townhouse wasn’t exactly on her bingo card back when she was doing improv at The Groundlings. Since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in early 2025, Cheryl has swapped sitcom sets for Senate confirmation hearings. But being the wife of RFK Jr. in 2026 isn't just about attending state dinners. It’s about navigating a marriage that has survived "brain worms," high-profile "sexting" scandals, and a political shift that left her Hollywood friends reeling.
The Curb Introduction That Changed Everything
How did a Florida girl who once went to cosmetology school end up in the center of the Kennedy dynasty?
Believe it or not, Larry David is the matchmaker. He introduced them around 2005 at a fundraiser, but they didn't start dating until 2011. At the time, they were both navigating the wreckage of previous marriages. Bobby was separating from his second wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy, and Cheryl was ending things with her first husband, Paul Young.
The early days were kinda surreal.
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Cheryl has often joked about the "rancid smell of roadkill" in Bobby’s minivan during their first dates. If that isn't a metaphor for the Kennedy experience, what is? They eventually married in 2014 at the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port. For a while, it was a classic Hollywood-meets-Camelot romance. She kept her career; he kept his environmental activism. Then, things got complicated.
Living through the "Lust Demons" and the Nuzzi Scandal
You’ve probably seen the headlines. You might have even rolled your eyes.
Late 2024 was a brutal year for Cheryl. While she was on vacation in Italy with her daughters, news broke that her husband had engaged in a "personal" (though reportedly non-physical) digital relationship with political journalist Olivia Nuzzi. In her recent memoir, Unscripted, Cheryl doesn't hold back. She describes the "indifference" she felt at first, which quickly turned into a feeling of being "unimportant."
She almost walked.
In her book, she admits she "hit a wall." Most people assume she stayed for the status or the Kennedy name, but the reality is more human. She and Bobby reportedly locked themselves in a room for days, "drilling down on the truth." She’s been open about the fact that Bobby struggles with what he calls "lust demons"—a term that’s become a bit of a meme but is a very real, painful part of their history.
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The $4.4 Million "Peace Offering" in Georgetown
Rumors swirled that Cheryl "ordered" Bobby to move her to D.C. so she could keep a closer eye on him.
Whether that's true or just tabloid fodder, they did snag a massive four-bedroom townhouse in Georgetown for $4.4 million. It’s a gorgeous spot, even if the move was born out of a marital crisis. Bobby reportedly bought the place to "mend marital bridges."
A Day in the Life of a Cabinet Spouse
Cheryl is now attending "cabinet spouse meetings." Imagine sitting around a conference table talking about ethics with the partners of the country’s most powerful people. It's a far cry from the craft services table on a TV set.
- The Hollywood Rift: Several of her close friends in the industry stopped talking to her when Bobby joined the Trump administration.
- The "Fake" Separation: Bobby once suggested they fake a separation to protect her from the public backlash. She said no. She didn't want to get caught in a lie by the paparazzi.
- The Animal Menagerie: Their home life is chaotic. At one point, they had an emu named Toby that attacked Cheryl. She literally had to carry a shovel in her own backyard for protection.
Politics, Vaccines, and the "MAHA" Movement
Being the wife of RFK Jr. means answering for his policies, whether she wants to or not.
Cheryl has spent the last year defending the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) platform. It’s a weird spot for a lifelong Democrat. She’s gone on record saying she was "guarded" about Bobby's move to support Donald Trump. "It was a leap," she told the ladies on The View recently.
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She’s tried to find a middle ground on the vaccine debate, too. She says she "sees both sides"—the fear of the disease versus the fear of the injection. It’s a nuanced take that often gets lost in the shouting matches of cable news. She isn't a scientist, and she doesn't pretend to be one. She’s just a wife trying to support a husband whose views have alienated nearly his entire family.
Why the Marriage Still Matters
Despite the "sexting," the political 180s, and the family feuds, Cheryl is still there.
She isn't just a trophy wife; she’s the emotional anchor of a man who is currently redesigning the American healthcare system. In her 2025 press tour, she’s been adamant that their marriage is "stronger" for having gone through the fire.
If you’re looking to understand the woman behind the headlines, look at her advocacy for United Cerebral Palsy. She’s been on their board for years, driven by her nephew’s diagnosis. This isn't a woman who just wants to be famous. She’s someone who has navigated extreme wealth, extreme controversy, and extreme public scrutiny while trying to keep her sense of humor intact.
What You Can Learn from Cheryl's Journey
If you find yourself in a situation where your partner’s choices are costing you friends or reputation, Cheryl’s path offers a few "unscripted" lessons:
- Set boundaries early: Cheryl refused to go to every political event. She kept her career. That independence is likely what saved her sanity.
- Face the "demons" head-on: Locking yourself in a room to "drill down on the truth" is better than letting rumors fester.
- Humor is a survival skill: Whether it's the "brain worm" or the emu, she laughs at the absurdity. It’s the only way to survive a Kennedy marriage.
Cheryl Hines might have moved to Georgetown, but she hasn't lost that Hollywood edge. She’s proof that you can be the wife of RFK Jr. without losing your own voice, even if you have to carry a shovel to do it.
To keep up with the latest on the HHS and the Kennedy family's impact on 2026 policy, you can follow the official Department of Health and Human Services briefings or check out Cheryl’s memoir for the more personal side of the story.