U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, 1985-present.
Father of Alexandra Kerry
Because his father worked at the US Embassy in Oslo, Norway, Kerry lived in the Norwegian capital a couple of years from the age of 13. To this day he still remembers some Norwegian.
The liberal American politician is cousin to a French politician (former Minister of Environment and candidate in 1981 presidential election), Brice Lalonde of Génération Ecologie, a small right-wing ecology movement. Their mothers (Rosemary for J. Kerry, Fiona for B. Lalonde) were sisters.
Born at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital where his father, Richard, a test pilot for the Army Air Corps, was undergoing treatment for tuberculosis.
Became a member of Yale University's Skull and Bones secret society three years before George W. Bush joined the same group.
On 18 February 1966, despite his opposition to the Vietnam War, Kerry enlisted in the Navy. He was wounded during his first combat experience on 2 December 1968 and was awarded a Purple Heart. On 20 February 1969, he earned a second Purple Heart when his left thigh was hit with shrapnel. On 28 February 1969, his boat was hit by a B-40 rocket. He beached the boat, chased down the fleeing wounded Viet Cong who fired the rocket, killed him, and returned with the rocket and its launcher. He was awarded the Silver Star. On 13 March 1969, Kerry's boat detonated a mine and he was wounded. For that, and rescuing Army Green Beret James Rassmann in the same incident, he was awarded a third Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with Combat V.
His second wife, Teresa Simões-Ferreira Heinz, is the widow of Pennsylvania Senator Henry John Heinz III of the Heinz Foods fortune. The couple's combined net worth is reportedly $199 - $839 million, making Kerry the wealthiest U.S. senator. Heinz and Kerry met in 1990, introduced by Senator Heinz.
Became the presumptive Democratic Nominee for President in 2004 after defeating North Carolina Senator John Edwards, Vermont Governor Howard Dean, and General Wesley Clark.
Speaks French fluently in addition to some Norwegian.
Interesting note: his initials are "JFK."
9th cousin twice removed of George W. Bush, his rival in the 2004 election. Both are descended from Edmund Reade (1563-1623).
Plays the guitar.
Kerry's paternal grandfather was a Jewish immigrant who converted to Catholicism (still Kerry's faith) when he ended up living in a predominantly Irish neighborhood. By all accounts a brilliant, bizarre, and troubled man, Kerry's grandfather eventually ended his own life. The remaining 3/4 of Kerry's ancestry is British and Irish.
He and his competition George W. Bush share an ancestor on Kerry's mother's side and Bush's father's side from the 1600s.
Announced John Edwards as his Vice Presidential Candidate in the 2004 Presidential Election (2004).
Has his look-alike puppet in the French show "Guignols de l'info, Les" (1988).
According to Harold Brooks-Baker, director of Burke's Peerage (the "Bible" of the European royal families) Kerry is related to the Queen of England on his mother's side, but also to the Queen of the Netherlands, the Queen of Denmark and the King of Norway, as well as other European royal families. Even the late Diana, the Princess of Wales, was a distant relative.
Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts (1983-1985).
Played lacrosse when he was younger.
Lost to President Bush by over 3.5 million votes on Nov. 2, 2004
Is of Welsh, French, Irish, Austrian, and possibly Norwegian descent.
Narrowly lost the state of Ohio by about 60,000 votes. Had he won Ohio, he would have won the presidency.
Played bass for a garage band called The Electras while in private school.
Underwent surgery for prostate cancer in February 2003.
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