In Photos: The Kennedy Romance
They met over asparagus at a dinner party in 1952: future commander-in-chief John Fitzgerald “Jack” Kennedy, a 35-year-old congressman from Boston, asked Jacqueline “Jackie” Bouvier, a 23-year-old photographer from Newport, out on a date while leaning across the table, ostensibly in search of the vegetable.
She thought he was “charming [and] handsome[,] but a hopeless flirt.” But John didn’t give up hope in his pursuit of Bouvier, and ultimately proposed a year later.
Senator Kennedy and then-fiancé Jacqueline Bouvier being interviewed for a LIFE magazine story while on vacation at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. June 1953.
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The pair pose on a sailfish boat in Hyannis Port on their engagement weekend. June 1953.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
The couple poses on a tennis court during their engagement weekend in Hyannis Port. June 1953.
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The couple on the beach while on vacation at the Kennedy compound. June 1953.
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The couple go sailing while on vacation at the Kennedy compound. June 1953.
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The couple sit knee-to-knee while on vacation in Hyannis Port. June 1953.
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The couple sit together in the sunshine at Kennedy’s family home in Hyannis Port, not long before their wedding. June 27, 1953.
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The couple stand at the altar during their wedding at St. Mary’s Church in Newport, Rhode Island. September 12, 1953.
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The couple cut their wedding cake.
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John and Jackie join hands as they continue to cut the cake.
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The bride is escorted by her groom down the hill at Hammersmith Farm at their wedding reception.
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John and Jackie pose for photos on their wedding day.
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John and Jackie pose for photos along with their wedding party.
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The newlyweds admire the sailfish landed by Senator Kennedy during their honeymoon in Acapulco, Mexico. September 1953.
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The couple in a car on their honeymoon in Acapulco, Mexico. September 1953.
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Then-Senator Kennedy poses with Jackie for LIFE magazine. October 1955.
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Senator Kennedy cuddling his baby daughter, Caroline, who is smiling as mother Jackie looks on in delight. March 25, 1958.
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The couple in formal wear at the Senate Office Building. Date unspecified.
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The family returns to Washington from Palm Beach. February 4, 1961.
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The couple walks down Main Street in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. February 16, 1960.
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The pair departs for a trip to India and Pakistan. March 8, 1962.
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President Kennedy and his family in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. August 4, 1962.
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President Kennedy and the First Lady watch the first race of the 1962 America’s Cup from aboard the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. September 15, 1962.
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Family weekend in Hyannis Port. August 14, 1963.
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President and Mrs. Kennedy are shown on the South Lawn of the White House just prior to a performance by the Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment. November 13, 1963.
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