Princess Diana's tragic death left JFK Jr's wife Carolyn 'terrified' of dying in the same manner, claims author

JFK Jr's wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy was reportedly troubled by Princess Diana's death before the couple's fatal plane crash
UPDATED JUN 4, 2024
Princess Diana's death haunted JFK Jr's wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy (Getty Images)
Princess Diana's death haunted JFK Jr's wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: It has been claimed that following Princess Diana's untimely death in 1997, John F Kennedy Jr's wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, developed death anxiety.

According to Elizabeth Beller's 'Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy', Carolyn was concerned that she might suffer the same fate because of the circumstances surrounding the mother-of-two's tragic end.

The Princess of Wales (1961 - 1997, later Diana, Princess of Wales) at a Royal Gala Performance that
Diana, the Princess of Wales, died at 36 on August 31, 1997 (Getty Images)

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy was troubled by Princess Diana's death

The Princess of Wales was just 36 when she died in a car crash on August 31, 1997.

To capture pictures of Diana and her boyfriend Dodi Fayed, a crew of paparazzi set up camp outside the Hotel Ritz in Paris that summer. Their driver, who was trying to outrun the paparazzi, lost control of the car as they pursued it to the Pont de l'Alma tunnel.

The three of them died. Diana's bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones sustained serious face injuries.

Similar to Diana, John F Kennedy Jr's wife Carolyn had to deal with incessant paparazzi who wanted to follow her everywhere.

According to Fox News Digital, Elizabeth Beller claimed that the Calvin Klein publicist was impacted by Diana's untimely demise during her final years.

John F. Kennedy Jr. (1960 - 1999) with his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, USA, circa 1995. (Photo by Rose Hartman/Getty Images)
John F Kennedy Jr (1960 - 1999) with his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, USA, circa 1995 (Rose Hartman/Getty Images)

Beller said of Carolyn, "She realized right away that paparazzi were chasing Diana, and that was something Carolyn was struggling with herself every single day."

"Diana’s death left a profound mark on her. She was already terrified, but Diana’s death terrified her even more. I believe it led her to seclude herself at home," the author added.

According to Beller, Carolyn worried about suffering the same fate as photographers were pursuing the couple outside their Tribeca residence in New York City at the time.

Beller's book claimed that Carolyn frequently made remarks to her husband about "those poor boys," alluding to William and Harry. However, Kennedy Jr asserted that "their situations greatly differed."

Strangely enough, Carolyn and her husband died in a 1999 plane crash not too long after Diana's death. JFK Jr was flying his own lightweight aircraft at the time when it crashed off the coast of Massachusetts, close to Martha's Vineyard, into the Atlantic Ocean.

Carolyn's sister Lauren Bessette was on the aircraft when it crashed and died as well, per OK! Magazine.

JFK Jr never gave bereaved princes William and Harry a call after Princess Diana's death

Despite their lack of familiarity, a "rattled" Carolyn reportedly advised her husband at the time to offer his sympathies to Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.

According to the author, JFK Jr never did so even though it would not have been "an outlandish thing to do," because Diana's death hurt him more than he let people know.

Beller stated, "She suggested John offer his condolences to William and Harry. Diana’s death affected John too. He didn’t know them, but it wasn’t an outlandish thing to do."

"The Kennedys had been around the royal family. There was a monument to JFK in London. There are photos of Little John holding Prince Philip’s hand," she noted.

Beller added, "The families were very much intertwined, even if John didn’t know William and Harry personally."

Despite his wife's desperation, Kennedy Jr never gave the bereaved princes a call.

Studio portrait of American lawyer and magazine publisher John F Kennedy Jr (1960 - 1999), New York, New York, 1988. (Photo by Brownie Harris/Corbis via Getty Images)
Studio portrait of American lawyer and magazine publisher John F Kennedy Jr (1960 - 1999), New York, New York, 1988 (Brownie Harris/Corbis via Getty Images)

The American Lawyer and magazine publisher had experienced the abrupt loss of a parent before. In 1963, his father President John F Kennedy was murdered. Kennedy Jr turned 3 years old during his father's funeral.

Beller explained, "It sounded like something John would have been quick to do, but I think he, too, was so rattled by Diana’s death and realizing it was because of the paparazzi."

"He also realized how much it frightened Carolyn. It was too much for him in his life. And seeing someone deal with their parent being mourned in a public way was, I think, overwhelming for him and everything he had been through," she noted.

Beller added, "It was unusual for him, but he stepped back. Some George [magazine] staffers mentioned they had discussions that they needed to run something about Diana’s death."

"John missed the first meeting about it. He was upset, understandably so."

Beller's book quoted JFK Jr as saying, "I was able to lead a normal life from about the age of 5." Kennedy Jr probably regretted not getting in touch with the princes, per Beller.

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