Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is everywhere these days. Whether he’s in the news for his role as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services or popping up in a viral clip with his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, people are curious about the man behind the headlines. One of the biggest questions people keep typing into search bars is basically: how many children does RFK jr have and what are they all up to?
He has six.
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Six kids from two different marriages. It’s a pretty big brood, though maybe not huge by Kennedy standards—remember, Bobby Jr. was one of eleven children himself. Growing up as a Kennedy means you're born into a sort of American royalty, but his kids have taken very different paths. Some are in the spotlight, while others are remarkably private. Honestly, it's a lot to keep track of, especially with the blended family dynamics and his third marriage to Cheryl Hines.
The First Chapter: Bobby Jr. and Emily Black
RFK Jr. met his first wife, Emily Ruth Black, while they were both studying law at the University of Virginia. They got married in 1982. During their twelve years together, they had two children who are now well into adulthood.
Robert “Bobby” Kennedy III was born in 1984. He’s the oldest. If you’ve seen him in the news recently, it might be because of his wife, Amaryllis Fox. She’s a former CIA undercover officer, which is a wild twist for any family tree. Bobby III has dabbled in acting and filmmaking, but he’s also been supportive of his father’s recent political moves.
Then there’s Kathleen Alexandra Kennedy, better known as “Kick.” Born in 1988, she was named after her great-aunt. Kick is definitely the most "Hollywood" of the bunch. She’s an actress and has appeared in shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and Gossip Girl. She’s also been linked to some high-profile names in the past, keeping the gossip columns busy.
The Second Marriage: Life with Mary Richardson
After his divorce from Emily was finalized in 1994, things moved fast. He married Mary Richardson that same year. They had four children together, and this is where the family expanded significantly.
- Conor Richardson Kennedy (Born 1994): You probably remember Conor from 2012 when he briefly dated Taylor Swift. It was a media circus. These days, he’s much more focused on activism and law. He actually spent time fighting in Ukraine as part of the International Legion, which surprised a lot of people.
- Kyra LeMoyne Kennedy (Born 1995): Kyra has a bit of a "socialite" reputation. She’s been involved in the fashion world and was famously part of the "Snap Pack" of young New York elites.
- William Finbar “Finn” Kennedy (Born 1997): Finn is one of the more private siblings. He’s mostly stayed out of the tabloids, focusing on his education and personal life away from the cameras.
- Aidan Caohman Vieques Kennedy (Born 2001): The youngest of the six. Like Finn, Aidan doesn't seek out the spotlight. His middle name, Vieques, is actually a nod to the Puerto Rican island where his father was arrested during an environmental protest.
Tragically, Mary Richardson passed away in 2012. It was a devastating time for the family, and it’s something Cheryl Hines has spoken about in her 2025 memoir, Unscripted, noting how the kids had to navigate that grief while living in the public eye.
How Many Children Does RFK Jr Have With Cheryl Hines?
This is a common point of confusion. The answer is zero.
RFK Jr. and Cheryl Hines married in 2014 at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port. While they don’t have biological children together, they have a very tight-knit blended family. Cheryl has a daughter, Catherine Rose (Cat), from her previous marriage to producer Paul Young.
Basically, Bobby Jr. acts as a stepfather to Cat, and Cheryl is the stepmother to his six. If you follow Cheryl on social media or read her latest interviews from Washington D.C., you’ll see they’re always hanging out together. It sounds like a chaotic but loving household, filled with "dogs, cats, and even emus," according to Cheryl’s book.
The Kennedy Legacy in 2026
It’s interesting to see how the kids are reacting to their father’s current role in the Trump administration. It’s no secret that the wider Kennedy clan has had some very public disagreements with Bobby Jr.’s political stances.
However, when it comes to his kids, they’ve largely remained a united front or kept their disagreements private. Bobby III and Conor, in particular, have been seen at events supporting their father. It’s a complicated dynamic—trying to honor a legendary Democratic legacy while their father charts a very different path as an Independent-turned-Republican Cabinet member.
Key Takeaways on the RFK Jr. Family:
- Total Count: Six biological children.
- Mothers: Emily Black (2 children) and Mary Richardson (4 children).
- Step-Parenting: He is a stepfather to Cheryl Hines’ daughter, Cat.
- Careers: They range from CIA-adjacent filmmakers and Ukrainian legion fighters to fashion models and private citizens.
If you’re trying to keep up with the latest on the Kennedy family, the best move is to look at their individual ventures. Many of them are active in environmental causes or the arts, continuing the family's tradition of public engagement, even if they aren't all running for office. You can also check out Cheryl Hines' new book for a more "behind-the-scenes" look at what their dinner table conversations actually sound like in the Georgetown townhouse.
To get a better sense of how the family is handling the current political climate, you might want to look into recent interviews with Bobby Kennedy III or follow Conor Kennedy’s advocacy work on international issues.