Kara Kennedy, eldest daughter of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, died suddenly on Friday. She was 51.
According to her brother Patrick Kennedy, his sister was working out at a Washington D.C. gym when she suffered a fatal heart attack.
Kara battled lung cancer beginning in 2002. Her brother believes the treatments “took quite a toll on her and weakened her physically. Her heart gave out.”
Her mother, Joan Kennedy, was comforted by knowing that her daughter was with her father. She said, “I believe what’s getting me through this terrible shock is that I know they’re up in heaven together hugging each other.”
Besides her mother, Kara Kennedy is survived by her ex-husband Michael Allen; two teenage children, Grace and Max; her brothers Ted, Jr. and Patrick, and her step mother Victoria Reggie Kennedy.
She accepted the Medal of Freedom for her father in August 2009. The highest civil honor was presented by President Barack Obama during a White House ceremony.
Edward Kennedy died of a terminal brain tumor thirteen days after his daughter accepted his award – funeral photos here. He was the brother of President John F. Kennedy, and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who were assassinated in 1963 and 1968.
See the photos below:
Photos: WENN