Ben Affleck’s team has firmly refuted the latest rumors suggesting a romantic involvement with Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The “Gone Girl” actor’s spokesperson, Jen Allen, categorically dismissed the speculation in a statement to USA TODAY on Wednesday, asserting that there is “no truth to any rumor” connecting Affleck, 52, with Kennedy, 36.
According to Allen, “Not hanging out,” “Not dating,” and “No outing” were the clear terms used to quash any assumptions about a potential relationship. The denial came in response to recent reports from Page Six and People magazine, which had suggested that Affleck and Kennedy had been seen together during a period of heightened public interest due to Affleck’s ongoing divorce from Jennifer Lopez.
The buzz around Affleck and Kennedy seemed to gain traction as Affleck’s personal life was under the microscope following his separation from Lopez. This latest rumor emerged just as Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck in the Los Angeles Superior Court. The divorce papers were filed on the second anniversary of their Georgia wedding, marking a significant milestone in their tumultuous relationship. The official date of their separation was recorded as April 26.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, who first dated in the early 2000s, had a highly publicized engagement in 2002. Their first engagement was called off in 2004, leading both to pursue other relationships. They eventually rekindled their romance, leading to their marriage in 2022. As the couple now navigates their divorce, Lopez has requested to revert to her maiden name, Jennifer Lynn Lopez, as indicated by recent filings.
The recent rumor about Affleck and Kennedy surfaced against the backdrop of Affleck’s divorce proceedings. Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, the eldest daughter of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his first wife, Emily Black, is known for her connections to both political and social circles. Her father’s political career, which includes a recent suspension of his presidential campaign as an independent and his controversial endorsement of former President Donald Trump, has also attracted public attention. This endorsement has sparked criticism from his sister, Kerry Kennedy, and other family members, who have condemned the move as a “betrayal” of their family’s values.
With the high profile of both Affleck and Kennedy, any interaction between them naturally draws significant media interest. However, despite the speculation and the swirling rumors, the official stance remains clear: Ben Affleck and Kathleen Kennedy are not romantically involved, and any reports suggesting otherwise are firmly denied by his representatives.
Who is Kick Kennedy?
Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, the eldest daughter of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recently found herself in the spotlight as her father made headlines by ending his presidential campaign and endorsing former President Donald Trump. Despite the political drama surrounding her father, the 36-year-old Kennedy has remained silent about his recent actions and continues to focus on carving out her own path.
Kick Kennedy, seen here in a 2021 photo, has pursued a career in acting while striving to differentiate herself from her family’s renowned legacy. She has been candid about her experiences with public perception and the challenges of living in the shadow of a famous last name.
In a 2014 interview with the New York Post, Kennedy shared her feelings about being a part of such a prominent family. “People ask me, ‘What’s it like to be a Kennedy?’” she reflected. “Maybe it’s just the temperature of the water, but I’m just like, ‘I have no idea.’ When I see my face or name in the tabloids, I get a knot in my stomach. It’s just not me — it’s reading something that’s not real.
She is one of Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s six children
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his former wife, Emily Ruth Black, welcomed their daughter, Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, in 1988. The couple also has a son, Robert “Bobby” Kennedy III, born in 1984.
In addition to her full-blooded sibling, Kick Kennedy has four half-siblings from her father’s later marriage to Mary Richardson. These siblings are Conor Richardson Kennedy, aged 30, Kyra LeMoyne Kennedy, aged 29, William Finbar Kennedy, aged 26, and Aidan Caohman Vieques Kennedy, aged 23.
She’s named after another famous Kennedy
Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy shares her nickname with a notable figure from her family’s history: her father’s aunt, Kathleen Cavendish, Marchioness of Hartington. Known affectionately as “Kick,” she was a sister of President John F. Kennedy.
The elder Kick Kennedy, pictured here in 1939, was a prominent figure of her time. She married William Cavendish, the Marquess of Hartington, in 1938. Tragically, he was killed in action during World War II just months after their wedding. Kathleen Cavendish herself died in a plane crash four years later, at the young age of 28.
In 2016, the younger Kick Kennedy honored her great-aunt by sharing a tribute on Instagram, featuring a photo from a visit to her great-aunt’s gravesite.
