Inside the SUPER private life of JFK and Jackie Kennedy’s eldest granddaughter Rose Schlossberg

The Kennedy family are often referred to as America’s royals – and, as such, are the subjects of much public fascination and scrutiny. 

In the spotlight, they lead lives of glamour, wealth, and privilege that have been made all the more interesting to the world thanks to conspiracy theories surrounding family tragedies and deaths, as well as ties to Hollywood icons like Marilyn Monroe. 

The eldest granddaughter of late President JFK and his wife, First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis, made waves earlier this week, when she was photographed catching some waves at a popular surfing spot in Ventura, California. 

Her Kennedy heritage was clear for all to see in the photos – which revealed her striking resemblance to Jackie O. 

It was an incredibly rare sighting of Rose Kennedy Schlossberg, 34 – the first child of JFK and Jackie’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, 64, and her longtime husband, artist Edwin Schlossberg, 77 – who has, for much of her adult life, remained largely out of the spotlight.

The Kennedys’ position as one of the country’s most scrutinized families shows no signs of waning – and their long-standing involvement in the top echelons of US politics seems destined to continue, courtesy of the youngest generation, with handsome Harvard graduate Jack Schlossberg now pursuing his own political ambitions, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, former President John F. Kennedy. 

But while Jack – and his author sister Tatiana – seem content to continue the family’s legacy of public-facing positions, their sibling Rose has quietly opted for a much more under-the-radar lifestyle, seemingly shunning the Kennedy dynasty’s celebrity, and indeed its political roots. 

The eldest granddaughter of late President John F. Kennedy and his wife, First Lady Jackie Kennedy, made a rare appearance last week, when she was photographed catching some waves at a popular surfing spot in Ventura, California

Rose Kennedy Schlossberg, 34, is the first child of JFK and Jackie’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, 64, and her longtime husband, Edwin Schlossberg, 77, and is practically the spitting image of her grandma. She is seen as a child with her parents

Despite hailing from one of the most-famous families in the country, Rose has kept a semi-low profile in recent years – much unlike her younger siblings, Jack Schlossberg, 29, and Tatiana Schlossberg, 32. She is seen (left) with her siblings

Despite hailing from one of the most-famous families in the country, Rose has kept a semi-low profile in recent years – much unlike her younger siblings, Jack Kennedy Schlossberg, 29, and Tatiana Kennedy Schlossberg, 32. 

Yale University graduate Tatiana is now a successful journalist, writing for The New York Times, Bloomberg, The Washington Post, and Vanity Fair over the years, and she has even published her own book; she also dove into politics, often speaking out about climate change and environmental dangers through her pieces.

As for Jack, he also graduated from Yale before heading to Harvard Law for his masters. He too is a budding politician, and he previously worked for former Secretary of State John Kerry and spoke at the 2020 Democratic National Convention in support of President Biden.

While Tatiana and Jack have stepped into the world of politics, Rose has taken a different route. She first started her career off by working in Hollywood – launching her own online web series and serving as a production assistant on a few different shows.

Tatiana is a successful journalist, writing politic pieces for The New York Times, Bloomberg, and The Washington Post over the years, while Jack has worked for former Secretary of State John Kerry. The three siblings are seen together in 2011

While her siblings have stepped into politics, Rose has taken a different route. She started her career off by working in Hollywood, but in recently traded her fame in for a quieter life out of the spotlight. She is seen (left) and Jackie is seen (right)

As notoriously private Rose is seen for the first time in a while, FEMAIL has lifted a lid on her discreet life away from cameras. She seen surfing recently 

However, in recent years, she traded her fame in for a much quieter life out of the spotlight. After dabbling in film for a number of years, she seemed to drop out of sight, settling down with her wife, filmmaker-turned-restaurateur Rory McAuliffe, 31.

As notoriously private Rose is seen for the first time in a while, FEMAIL has lifted a lid on her discreet life away from cameras.

From her close bond with her grandma Jackie and what it was really like to grow up a Kennedy to her achievements in production and sudden career change – here’s everything we know about JFK and Jackie’s eldest granddaughter. 

Her childhood: A look back at Rose’s early years and her tight bond with Grandma Jackie 

Rose was born in New York City on June 25, 1988, and was named after her great-grandmother, JFK’s mom, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy; and it was reportedly her grandma Jackie who picked the name. She is seen with her mom in 1996

Rose was reportedly quite close to her grandmother — whom she called ‘Grand Jackie’ — before her death in 1994, when she was five. Rose is seen with Jackie in 1992

Rose was born in New York City on June 25, 1988, and was named after her great-grandmother, JFK’s mom, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy; and according to the New York Post, it was her grandma Jackie who picked the name.

Rose was reportedly quite close to her grandmother — whom she called ‘Grand Jackie’ — before her death in 1994, when she was five. 

‘Jackie, who lived just a few blocks away from the Schlossbergs on the Upper East Side, saw Rose basically every day and doted on her,’ Kennedy biographer Christopher Andersen once wrote. 

‘Jackie knew it was important to sow the seeds of good behavior early on, and she tried to do that in the final years of her life. It was a mission for her.’ 

‘Jackie, who lived just a few blocks away from the Schlossbergs on the Upper East Side, saw Rose basically every day and doted on her,’ Kennedy biographer Christopher Andersen once wrote. Rose is seen with Jackie in 1992

‘Jackie knew it was important to sow the seeds of good behavior early on, and she tried to do that in the final years of her life. It was a mission for her,’ he added. Jackie is seen with Rose and Tatiana in 1992

As Rose (seen in 2002) grew older, she attended the pricey Brearley School on the Upper East Side of Manhattan; during her teen years, she was described by historian and family friend Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. as the ‘leader of the pack’

He said: ‘Rose was and is the leader of the pack — her opinion counts. She is highly regarded within the ever-expanding [Kennedy] circle. In many respects, she is the face and future of the clan.’ Rose is seen as a kid with her mom and brother

As Rose grew older, she attended the pricey Brearley School on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where the tuition is currently $60,000 a year; other notable alumnae of the private institution include Téa Leoni, Kyra Sedgwick, Alexandra Daddario, Eva Chen, and her mother. 

Grandma Jackie once helped chaperone her school trip to the American Museum of Natural History, and was reportedly the only grandparent in the group. 

During her teen years, she was described by historian and family friend Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., who had been a speechwriter for JFK, as the ‘leader of the pack.’

‘Rose was and is the leader of the pack — her opinion counts,’ he said. ‘She is highly regarded within the ever-expanding [Kennedy] circle. In many respects, she is the face and future of the clan.’

Her college years: Inside Rose’s life at Harvard University, where she was caught partying with Hollywood star Lindsay Lohan

After graduating from high school, Rose went on to earn an English degree from Harvard University in 2010. She is seen with her mom in 2019

During her time at the Ivy League school, Rose reportedly cultivated an interest in filmmaking and in fashion, and got involved in Harvard’s Project East Fashion Show. She is seen (left) with her siblings and mom in 2011

After Harvard, Rose went on to earn her master’s degree in interactive telecommunications from New York University. She is seen with her brother in 2013

 After graduating from high school, Rose went on to earn an English degree from Harvard University in 2010.

During her time at the Ivy League school, Rose reportedly cultivated an interest in filmmaking and in fashion, and got involved in Harvard’s Project East Fashion Show – which spotlights Asian designers – serving as a member of the executive board and also walking the runway during the event.

And JFK’s granddaughter certainly got up to some college-antics while attending the school, as she made headlines in 2009 when she was caught partying alongside Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson after giving them a campus tour.

In 2006, the outlet Wonkett also obtained photos of then-18-year-old Rose smoking hookah, and two years later, Gawker published some more shots of her enjoying a rowdy night out.

She was also rumored to be dating Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger, a fellow Harvard student, while at the school.

Her career changes: How Rose eschewed politics to launch a career as a comedian and actress – before abandoning life in the spotlight to settle down with her wife, Rory

Though she hasn’t been involved in politics in the same way as her siblings, Rose (seen in September) has supported the democratic party over the years, donating $350 to Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign and volunteering for Alan Khazei

Plus, in 2014, then-President Barack appointed her to the board at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She is seen with her sister in 2014

After Harvard, Rose went on to earn her master’s degree in interactive telecommunications from New York University.

In 2016, she and her friend Mara Nelson-Greenberg started a joint web series called End Times Girls Club, which she co-starred in. It followed two young women who shared tips to surviving the apocalypse. She is seen in 2014

Though she hasn’t been involved in politics in the same way as the other members of her family, Rose has supported the democratic party over the years, donating $350 to President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign and volunteering for Alan Khazei’s failed 2010 campaign for US Senate in Massachusetts. 

Plus, in 2014, then-President Barack appointed her to the board at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 

In a speech that year about the center, she said: ‘My grandparents believed that American civilization had come of age, and they transformed the White House into a stage for our nation’s greatest performing artists. 

‘They recognized that in order to demonstrate our full commitment to freedom, democracy, and the human spirit, our nation’s capital needed a world-class performing arts center. 

‘After my grandfather’s death, my grandmother, and my great aunts and uncles worked tirelessly to build and sustain this Center, and my generation is proud to continue their commitment to excellence.’ 

Rose (seen recently) tried her hand at various different production roles over the years. In 2011, she worked in the camera and electrical department for Prayer for a Perfect Season, and in 2013, she contributed to the lighting for the doc Flex is Kings

However, in recent years, she traded her fame in for a much quieter life out of the spotlight. After dabbling in film for a number of years, she seemed to drop out of sight, settling down with her wife, filmmaker-turned-restaurateur Rory McAuliffe

 Rose (seen in 2020) tied the knot with her girlfriend, Rory, 31, back in May, and the wedding was attended by 300 close friends and family members, including her mother’s cousin Maria Shriver, David Letterman, Jimmy Buffet, and Jason Segal

In 2016, she and her friend Mara Nelson-Greenberg started a joint web series called End Times Girls Club, which she co-starred in. It followed two young women who shared tips to surviving the apocalypse.

‘It came up as a response to seeing the way that New York responded to Hurricane Sandy, and how people were grossly underprepared — specifically, girls in damsel in distress mode,’ she told Mashable about the show.

‘I thought it would be interesting to create this world where girls have to be survivalists without compromising their cute factor.’ 

Rose tried her hand at various different production roles over the years. In 2011, she worked in the camera and electrical department for the documentary Prayer for a Perfect Season, and in 2013, she contributed to the lighting for the doc Flex is Kings.

Rose’s wife co-owns a farm-to-table hot spot called Rory’s Place (seen) in Ojai, California, which she opened in February with her older sister, chef Meave McAuliffe, 36

In a recent online interview with Remodelista, Rory was asked if she saw herself having any children with Rose, to which she answered, ‘I have a kid. It’s Rory’s Place.’ Rose is seen surfing recently

She also acted in the 2015 movie Houses, and in 2017, she co-wrote and produced a docu-series called Time: The Kalief Browder Story for Spike TV. She also wrote, directed, and produced a short film called Small Gay Tragedy #1 earlier this year.

Rose tied the knot with her longtime girlfriend, Rory, back in May, and the wedding was attended by 300 close friends and family members, including her mother’s first cousin Maria Shriver, 66, former talk show host David Letterman, 75, singer Jimmy Buffet, 75, and How I Met Your Mother actor Jason Segal, 42, who is a neighbor. 

Rose’s wife co-owns a farm-to-table hot spot called Rory’s Place in Ojai, California, which she opened in February with her older sister, chef Meave McAuliffe, 36; Ojai’s laid back and artsy vibe is described as ‘a world away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.’

In a recent online interview with Remodelista, Rory was asked if she saw herself having any children with Rose, to which she answered, ‘I have a kid. It’s Rory’s Place.’

The Kennedy siblings: Tragic history of America’s royal family 

Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr.

The oldest of nine Kennedy siblings was killed in action during World War II when he was 29.

Joseph, who was a Navy pilot at the time, was killed in a mid-flight explosion in 1944. He was awarded the Navy Cross following his death.

Kathleen ‘Kick’ Kennedy Cavendish

Kathleen Kennedy was born on February 20, 1920. She was the second daughter and fourth Kennedy child.

She died in a plane crash in France in 1948 when she was 28 years old. She was living in England at the time after marrying a British nobleman.

Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. died fighting in WWII aged 29. His sister Kathleen ‘Kick’ Kennedy Cavendish died in a plane crash in France in 1948 when she was 28

John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy was the second child of Rose and Joseph Kennedy. He and his wife, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, had daughter Caroline and son John, Jr.

He became the youngest president after being sworn in on January 20, 1961.

President John F. Kennedy’s presidency ended tragically with his assassination in Dallas on November 22, 1963.

Robert F. Kennedy

Robert Francis Kennedy, the seventh Kennedy child, was born on November 20, 1925. He married Ethel Skakel in 1950 and they had 11 children together.

He successfully ran for Senate in New York in 1964 following his brother’s assassination. RFK announced his candidacy for president in 1968.

He was fatally shot two months later at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. He was 42.

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963. Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles in 1968 aged 42

Rosemary Kennedy

Born in September 13, 1918, Rosemary was the eldest daughter and third Kennedy sibling.

She had intellectual disabilities as a young child and teenager. Rosemary underwent a new procedure, authorized by her father, when she was 22 that was supposed to help calm her and stop her violent mood swings.

The procedure, however, left her permanently incapacitated.

She eventually went to live at the St. Coletta’s School for Exceptional Children in Jefferson, Wisconsin. Rosemary remained there until she died in 2005.

Patricia Kennedy

Patricia was the sixth child and fourth daughter of Rose and Joseph Kennedy.

She married English actor Peter Lawford in 1954 and they went on to have four children: Christopher, Sydney, Victoria, and Robin.

They divorced in 1965.

She moved to New York City with her children in 1966 where she founded the National Committee for the Literary Arts.

She died in September 2007 at the age of 82.

Rosemary Kennedy, who was permanently incapacitated after a surgical procedure when she was 22, died at a Wisconsin facility in 2005.  Patricia Kennedy died in September 2007 at the age of 82

Edward Kennedy

Edward M. Kennedy, who was the youngest of the Kennedy children, died of brain cancer in August 2009 when he was 77.

He served as a Massachusetts Senator for almost 47 years, making him the third longest-serving member of the US Senate in American history.

He died just two weeks after his older sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who was born July 10, 1921, was the fifth of the nine Kennedy children.

In 1953, she married Robert Sargent Shriver Jr. and the pair had five children: Robert III, Maria, Timothy, Mark, and Anthony.

She emerged from a powerful male-dominated political family to found the Special Olympics in 1968 and become a leading advocate of the mentally disabled.

She died in hospital in August 2009.

Ted Kennedy died of brain cancer in 2009 just two weeks before his sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver died in hospital