The public fascination with John F. Kennedy Jr.'s personal life was significant even before his marriage to Carolyn Bessette. While rumors of relationships with figures like Madonna and Julie Baker circulated, it was his intermittent romance with acclaimed actress Daryl Hannah that truly captured widespread attention. Decades later, FX's drama series "Love Story" has reignited interest in this chapter of his life, prompting Hannah to voice strong objections regarding her on-screen representation, asserting it fails to accurately reflect her life, conduct, or her connection with Kennedy Jr.
This feature explores the true narrative of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Daryl Hannah's relationship, from their early meetings to their eventual parting. It highlights the complexities of their bond, the reported public disagreements, and the alleged reservations held by Kennedy Jr.'s mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The article also touches upon Hannah's public statements regarding the television series, offering a nuanced perspective on a love affair that was constantly under the media's microscope.
The Genesis of a High-Profile Romance
The paths of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Daryl Hannah first converged in the early 1980s during a family vacation in St. Martin. Despite this initial encounter, their romantic involvement did not blossom immediately. Hannah's stepfather, Jerrold Wexler, a prominent billionaire with strong ties to the Democratic party and the Kennedy political sphere, played an indirect role in their connection. Wexler's significant contributions to the Democratic National Committee and his support for Senator Edward "Ted" M. Kennedy's presidential campaign underscored the existing links between their families.
The romantic spark between Kennedy Jr. and Hannah truly ignited years later, in 1988, at the wedding of his aunt, Lee Radziwill, to filmmaker Herbert Ross. At the time, Hannah had collaborated with Ross on the film "Steel Magnolias." Interestingly, both Kennedy Jr. and Hannah were involved in other relationships at this point; Hannah was in an on-again, off-again relationship with singer Jackson Browne, while Kennedy Jr. was dating Christina Haag, a former Brown classmate. Elizabeth Beller's 2024 book, "Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy," suggests that Hannah's stepfather might have even facilitated their connection, reportedly encouraging Kennedy's uncle to endorse Kennedy Jr.'s spending time with Hannah at the wedding, indicating a degree of pre-arrangement in their coming together.
Turbulence and Tensions in a Celebrity Relationship
Following their reunion at the wedding, John F. Kennedy Jr. and Daryl Hannah embarked on an on-and-off relationship that spanned several years. Their circle of friends noted the occasional overlap with other romantic interests. For instance, Jack Merrill, a friend of Kennedy Jr.'s, suggested that the end of Kennedy Jr.'s relationship with Christina Haag might have been influenced by Hannah. RoseMarie Terenzio, Kennedy Jr.'s former executive assistant and co-author of "JFK Jr.: An Intimate Oral Biography," also recalled instances where Hannah's relationship with Jackson Browne intersected with her time with Kennedy Jr., noting that Hannah would sometimes return to Los Angeles to see Browne without informing Kennedy Jr., much to his displeasure.
In 1992, Hannah's decade-long relationship with Browne concluded publicly, leading her to relocate to New York to live with Kennedy Jr. Despite this move, their relationship was marked by visible turbulence. Amelia Barlow, a friend of the Kennedy family, described their dynamic as "fantastical, adventurous," but also observed a "fire—and fight" that distinguished it from Kennedy Jr.'s later relationship with Carolyn Bessette. Public disagreements were not uncommon, with reports of Kennedy Jr. and Hannah engaging in heated arguments in New York City, mirroring a later infamous confrontation between Kennedy Jr. and Bessette in Washington Square Park. A particularly revealing anecdote involved an Air New England pilot, Barry Scott, who recounted an incident where Kennedy Jr. attempted to depart for Martha's Vineyard without a late-running Hannah, leading to a significant argument on the plane upon her eventual arrival. This period also saw alleged skepticism from Kennedy Jr.'s mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, regarding his choice of an actress partner, a sentiment that reportedly caused strain between the couple and contributed to periods of estrangement, despite their apparent happiness when together. Ultimately, after five years, their relationship concluded in 1994.
