Once Upon a Time

The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy

De: Elizabeth Beller

Narrado por: Emily Tremaine

A NEW YORK TIMES, LOS ANGELES TIMES, and USA TODAY BESTSELLER

This “intimate and sympathetic portrait of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy that is as enthralling as she was” (Dana Thomas, New York Times bestselling author) reexamines her life and legacy as never before. Perfect for fans of My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy, What Remains, and Fairy Tale Interrupted.

A quarter of a century after the plane crash that claimed the lives of John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn, and her sister Lauren, the magnitude of this tragedy remains fresh. Yet, Carolyn is still an enigmatic figure, a woman whose short life in the spotlight was besieged with misogyny and cruelty.

Amidst today’s cultural reckoning about the way our media treats women, Elizabeth Beller “reveals the true woman behind the mystery, and what a woman she turns out to be: fabulous, fierce, fashionable, flawed…formidable” (J. Randy Taraborrelli, New York Times bestselling author). When she began dating America’s prince, Carolyn was thrust into an overwhelming spotlight filled with cruelly relentless paparazzi who reacted to her reserve with a campaign of harassment and vilification.

To this day, she is still depicted as a privileged princess—icy, vapid, and drug-addicted. She has even been accused of being responsible for their untimely death, allegedly delaying take-off until she finished her pedicure. But now, the truth is finally unveiled.

A fiercely independent woman devoted to her adopted city and career, Carolyn relied on her impeccable eye and drive to fly up the ranks at Calvin Klein in the glossy, high-stakes fashion world of the 1990s. When Carolyn met her future husband, John was immediately drawn to her strong-willed personality, effortless charm, and high intelligence. Their relationship would change her life and catapult her to dizzying fame, but it was her vibrant life before their marriage and then hidden afterwards, that is truly fascinating.

Based on in-depth research and exclusive interviews with friends, family members, teachers, roommates, and colleagues, and featuring never-before-seen family photos, this comprehensive biography reveals a multifaceted woman worthy of our attention regardless of her husband and untimely death.

An exquisite portrait

Beautifully written, poignant, supported with evidence from friends and family…. A fascinating biography of a beloved person

PERFECT FOR KENNEDY FOLLOWERS OR NON FICTION ROMANCE

Thus is my second listen and I loved every minute.
I'm old enough to remember "John John " as the
three year old kittle boy saluting his father's casket in 1963. I had no idea how much his father's assassination affected him. I also was unaware of how close he was at the time pof his death to entering politics... and the plans that he had to one day assume the presidency himself.
I always admired his wife, Caroline, and this book
only cemented that admiration. She was constantly
hounded and chased by the paparazzi and suffered severe depression because of being forced to stay at home. But most of all, 0John and Caroline were deeply in love.
Truly an enjoyable listen.

Pieced together from other publications

There really is nothing new in this book. Unfortunately it is pieced together with quotes from other publications, places Carolyn and John had been based on photos published, and speculation that does not seem to be fact checked.

Carolyn Bessett

Skewed opinion. Sounds like a nice person , but went overboard in angelic, perfect description. Don’t remember such negativity from press.

Insightful

Provided more background on the elusive wife of “America’s Prince.” I can’t go but hear these stories and wish for a different ending. Heartbreaking even after 25 years. Would like to learn more about the surviving sister, Lisa. The devastation she and her mother must’ve gone through is unimaginable as well of course for JFK Jr family and friends, let alone the world.