Long ago, in a forgotten village nestled deep within the dense, eerie woods, there lived a woman named Delilah. She was known by the villagers as a witch - a wicked sorceress with supernatural powers. Her existence was shrouded in mystery and whispers of her malevolence echoed through the narrow streets. The fear of her dark magic gripped even the bravest of souls. Delilah's life had been marred by tragedy. As a child, she was orphaned and left to fend for herself in a world that saw her as an outcast.

The Kennedy Curse: A Timeline of Tragedy

The Kennedy Family photographed at Hyannis Port in September 1931. L-R: Robert Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Eunice Kennedy, Jean Kennedy (on lap of) Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (who was pregnant with Edward "Ted" Kennedy at time of this photo), Patricia Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (behind) Rosemary Kennedy.

From plane crashes to assassinations, overdoses to terrible illness, the Kennedy family, America’s most famous political dynasty, has been struck by a whole host of devastating tragedies over the years. After a car crash in 1969, Ted Kennedy, who had by this point lost 4 of his siblings prematurely, wondered if “some awful curse did actually hang over all the Kennedys”.

The sheer number of tragic illnesses and deaths involving the family has led many to deem them ‘cursed’ in some respect. The tragedies suffered by the Kennedys, combined with their glamour, ambition and power, has captured the imagination of people across the world for well over half a century.

We’ve rounded up a timeline of the most notable examples of the so-called Kennedy ‘curse’ below.

As a child, she was orphaned and left to fend for herself in a world that saw her as an outcast. Misunderstood and feared, she sought solace in the mystical arts. The villagers believed that her affinity for the occult brought upon their misfortune, and they blamed every hardship on her supernatural abilities.

1941: Rosemary Kennedy lobotomised

Rosemary Kennedy, sister to John F. Kennedy and the eldest Kennedy daughter, was thought to have suffered from a lack of oxygen at birth. As she grew up, she failed to hit the same developmental milestones as other children her age. Her family sent her to schools for the ‘intellectually disabled’ and ensured she had extra time and attention spent on her.

As she reached her early 20s, Rosemary began to experience violent mood swings and fits, making her mental illness much harder to hide. Her father, Joseph Kennedy Sr., decided to subject Rosemary to an experimental new procedure, a lobotomy, choosing not to inform his family until after it was complete.

The lobotomy was botched, leaving Rosemary with the intellectual capabilities of a 2-year-old and taking away her ability to walk and talk. She spent the rest of her life cared for in private institutions, hidden away and discussed in the vaguest of terms as her family believed knowledge of her mental illness could prove damaging for their political ambitions.

From left to right: Kathleen, Rose and Rosemary Kennedy on their way to be presented at court in 1938, several years before Rosemary’s lobotomy.

Image Credit: Keystone Press / Alamy Stock Photo

One fateful day, when a terrible plague plagued the village, the villagers reached a boiling point. They became convinced that Delilah was the source of their suffering, casting curses upon them from her lair deep in the woods. Driven by fear and anger, they gathered at her doorstep, brandishing torches and pitchforks. Delilah emerged, her fiery red hair flowing like a waterfall of flames. Her emerald eyes glowed with a mix of defiance and sadness. She tried to reason with the angry mob, explaining that she possessed no ill intentions and sought only to heal and protect. But her pleas fell on deaf ears as the villagers were blinded by their prejudice and superstition. In an act of desperation, Delilah decided to prove her innocence. She demonstrated her healing abilities, relieving the pain and suffering of those infected with the deadly plague. Her powers soared through the air, casting a golden light that illuminated the surrounding darkness. For a moment, hope flickered in the villagers' hearts. However, their fear and ignorance overpowered their reason. They accused her of using her magic to trick them, to blind them with false miracles. They refused to acknowledge the good she had done and rather clung to their superstitions that painted her as a wicked sorceress. With heavy hearts, Delilah realized that her efforts were in vain. She knew she could never change the villagers' perception of her. Weary and broken, she gathered her belongings and disappeared into the night, leaving the village behind. In the years that followed, the village prospered, free from the grasp of the plague. But a cloud of regret lingered, for the villagers knew they had wronged Delilah. They spoke of her with remorse, recounting the acts of bravery and kindness she had shown during her time as their dismissed witch. Delilah became a legend, a cautionary tale passed down through the generations. She became a symbol of the consequences of ignorance and prejudice, a reminder that judgment based solely on appearance can lead to unfathomable loss. As for Delilah, she continued her journey, wandering from village to village, using her magic to help those who were open-minded enough to accept her. Though dismissed and misunderstood by many, she found purpose in spreading light and healing wherever she went, a testament to the strength of her spirit. Thus, the story of the dismissed witch unfolded, a tale of resilience, forgiveness, and the power of a single individual to defy the stereotypes thrust upon them. Delilah's legacy would forever live on, reminding us to question our own preconceptions and embrace the beauty that lies beyond appearances..

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