She was the widow of the world for 5 long years. What a time. She was elegant. She was grieving and holding her children’s hands.
But unfortunately, we pushed her and decided she must be the first lady forever. How unfair.
Then suddenly, we felt personal about her betrayal.
In October 1968, the Camelot fairy tale was completely torched. Jackie Kennedy was marrying Aristotle Onassis. This was quite a surprise.
Aristotle Onassis was short, crude, and super wealthy. He was completely the opposite of JFK. That was the surprise. People questioned why she liked a man like that.
This marriage shocked the entire America. How could our Queen marry the “Golden Greek”? That’s how people thought.
Let’s talk about how!
The “Golden Greek” vs. The American Prince
Based on the society, it was the largest mismatch. We all had the memory of Jack. He was tall, handsome, and Harvard-educated. The real image of American royalty.
On the other hand, we had “Ari.” He was 62 years old. 23 years her senior. He was short, heavy, not good-looking and collected all the famous women during that era using his wealth.
People told them the Beauty and the Beast. The gossips were all over the world. People couldn’t understand why that elegant woman liked a man who broke rules and lived for excess. No clue at all.
Why exactly did she choose him?
“Jackie, How Could You?”
Thankfully, there was no Facebook in 1968. Otherwise, it would have melted down. But there was a huge backlash.
The newspapers’ headlines were filled with their love story overnight.
As I remember most harsh headline came from a German newspaper and it echoed what everyone was saying: “Jackie Weds Blank Check.” Another American paper simply asked, “The End of Camelot?” What a time, right?
The newspapers were filled with anger. People started to release their anger after hearing this news. Because they hated Aristotle Onassis.
America used to think Jackie was a symbol, our tragedy, our brave widow. But after she married that foreigner, people started to think she was leaving us.
The Vatican was displeased, and the public felt so sad. People wanted her to remain the saint in the black. But she bravely stood for her like a real woman again.
The Rain-Soaked Wedding on Scorpios
No, there was no pomp and circumstance of a royal wedding. They married on Onassis’s private island of Scorpios on a gloomy, rain soaked afternon.
The ceremony was small, intimate, and chaotic. But the dress played a significant role here.
Gone were the floor-length ballgowns and elbow-length gloves. Jackie basically stunned the crowd. It was was knee length, beige Valentino mini-dress.
The dress was modern, chic, and able to get the attraction from millions.
The ceremony was completely private. But the Flotillas of boats packed with paparazzi bobbed in the harbor. Imagine the scene. Just Woooow!
Basically, the woman who had fled America for privacy was now at the center of the first global media circus.
What a disaster. What a news. What a time.
Was It Love or Protection?
Let’s talk why she liked and married a man like that. Why?
Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated just 4 month before that wedding. Jakie thought her family was next.
She panicked and told her close friends, “If they’re killing Kennedys, then my children are targets.” Now you can see the clear image of this situation. Could we have done the same right?
On the other hand, Aristotle Onassis provided her with a fortress. She knew secret service couldn’t protect her anymore. And she thought Ari was the best option. That’s why she went for it.
He had a private island, his own security force, and lots of money to make the rest of the dangerous world disappear.
He was able to provide the security blanket Jakie needed the most.
Based on reports, that rainy day on Scorpios was the birth of “Jackie O.”
Paparazzi were totally surrounding her marriage. Yes, it had marriage problems, but most importantly, she was able to break the tragic widow frame she was in.
Yes, America hated them. But Jakie did what felt right for her. It was her life. Her decision. We can’t judge.
Let me know in the comments what you felt the day Jackie married Onassis in ’68?