Ethel Kennedy Fast Facts - CNN.com (CNN) -- Here's a look at the life of environmental and human rights activist Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy. Personal: Birth date: April 11, 1928 Birth place: Chicago, Illinois Birth name: Ethel Skakel Father: George Skakel, businessman Mother: Ann (Brannack) Skakel Marriage: Robert F. Kennedy (June 17, 1950-June 6, 1968, his death) Children: Rory (daughter), December 12, 1968; Douglas, March 24, 1967; Matthew, January 11, 1965; Christopher, July 4, 1963; Mary, September 8, 1959; Michael, February 27, 1958 - December 31, 1997; Courtney, September 9, 1956; David, June 15, 1955 - April 25, 1984; Robert, Jr., January 17, 1954; Joseph II, September 24, 1952; Kathleen, July 4, 1951 Education: Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart, 1949 (now called Manhattanville College) Other Facts: Established the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights, which supports the causes championed by Robert F. Kennedy. Met Robert Kennedy though his sister, Jean. Her nephew, Michael Skakel, was convicted in 2002 of the 1975 murder of his neighbor, Martha Moxley. In October 2013, Skakel was awarded a new trial. Timeline: 1955 - Ethel's parents, George and Ann Skakel, are killed in an airplane accident. 1959 - Campaigns for Robert's brother, John F. Kennedy, during his run for the U.S. presidency. 1961-1964 - Robert Kennedy serves as attorney general of the United States. 1964 - Robert Kennedy is elected to the U.S. Senate to represent New York. March 16, 1968 - Robert Kennedy announces he will run for the Democratic presidential nomination. June 5, 1968 - Robert Kennedy is shot while campaigning in Los Angeles. He dies on June 6 at the age of 42. 2012 - Daughter Rory Kennedy's documentary, "Ethel," premieres. November 24, 2014 - Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.