Cheryl Hines Reacts to Husband RFK Jr.'s Tribute to Late Ethel Kennedy: 'Your Mother Was Very Proud of You'

Mar. 15, 2025

(L) Cheryl Hines and Robert F. Kennedy in January 2024. (R) Ethel Kennedy in 2020.Photo:Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty; Robert F. Kennedy Ripple Of Hope Award Gala/Getty

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty; Robert F. Kennedy Ripple Of Hope Award Gala/Getty

Cheryl Hinesis supportingRobert F. Kennedy Jr.following the death of his motherEthel Kennedy.

In the wake of Kennedy’salleged “personal relationship” with journalist Olivia Nuzzi, Hines, 59, praised her husband, 70, for the “beautiful” tribute he posted to his late mother Ethel onInstagram, followingher death at age 96 on Thursday, Oct. 10.

In his tribute, Kennedy posted a poignant black-and-white photo of his mother. as he wrote in his caption, “My mom, Ethel Skakel Kennedy, passed peacefully into Heaven this morning.”

Continuing thelengthy and heartfelt tribute, Kennedy described his late mother as a “role model” for her children and grandchildren, who was “blessed” with a “rich and eventful life.” He added that “she never lost her sense of fun, her humor, her spark, her spunk, and her joie de vivre,” despite her decline in recent months.

Hines wrote in the comment section, “This is beautiful. Your mother was very proud of you. 🤍.”

Kennedy with his late mother Ethel pictured in 2014.Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kennedy also said his mother had “a perpetual attitude of gratitude that fueled her taste for adventure” and a “sunny optimism” brought his father “back to life” following the assassination of his brother,President John F. Kennedyin 1963, as well as their children after the assassination of her husband, U.S. senatorRobert F. Kennedy,in 1968.

“I credit her for all my virtues. I’m grateful for her generosity in overlooking my faults,” he concluded.

Hines shared a supportive comment to Kennedy following his tribute to his late mother on Instagram on Oct. 10.Cheryl Hines/Instagram

Cheryl Hines/Instagram

On Sept. 19,New Yorkmagazine revealed in astatementthat its Washington correspondent Nuzzi, 31, had been put on leave after she “acknowledged to the magazine’s editors” that she “engaged in a personal relationship with a former subject relevant to the 2024 campaign.” CNN later alleged it to have been Kennedy.

Nuzzi later said in a statement to PEOPLE that “the nature of some communication” between herself and “a former reporting subject turned personal,” though she added that she “did not directly report on the subject nor use them as a source” at the time.

“The relationship was never physical but should have been disclosed to prevent the appearance of a conflict,” Nuzzi also said, adding. “I deeply regret not doing so immediately and apologize to those I’ve disappointed, especially my colleagues atNew York.”

Meanwhile, a source close to Hines told PEOPLE on Oct. 7 that Kennedy is “begging” for Hines not to file for divorce in the wake of the alleged “personal relationship.”

“She’s been very angry about it. She has a great support team to vent to though,” the source said, adding that the ordeal has been “embarrassing” for her.

Hines and Kennedy pictured in January.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

“Everyone’s on her side, of course,” the insider added. “She’s been talking about filing for divorce, but he’s begging her not to file. But how many times can you forgive a partner that’s dishonest and goes behind your back? It’s just ridiculous behavior from a grown, married man.”

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A representative for Hines had no comment at the time, while one for Kennedy did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

source: people.com